The board of directors of the Ohio High School Bowling Coaches Association annually selects a senior girl and boy bowler of the year from the Southwest, Northwest, Northeast, and combined Central, East and Southeast districts — eight total district recipients for District Senior Bowlers of the Year. Of the statewide applicants, those receiving the most votes earn the state award. Kocher earned the boys’ title while Mechanicsburg’s Ally Hosier won the girls’ state award.
A 3.0 grade-point average is required, but the award is based primarily on bowling performance throughout high school. Among Kocher’s many accomplishments was an OHSAA individual state championship in 2014. He qualified to state with the Thunderbolts in 2014 and as an individual in 2015. He earned GWOC player of the year honors in 2016 and landed on the GWOC first team all four years. He has three perfect games and an 800 series to his credit as well as a 249 high average.
The award provided a capstone for a youth bowling career that spanned 13 years as Kocher was on the lanes by the time he was 4.
“I had constant motivation, while growing up, from my brother Michael,” Kocher, 17, said. “Wanting to beat him motivated me and that competition pushed me to be the best I could be.”
Winning the individual state title — a significant point of pride now — came as a bit of a surprise when it happened his freshman season.
“I thought we were just there as a team, I didn’t even know I was eligible for an individual title, so I was definitely surprised when they told me I won,” he said.
The Englewood bowler, who will attend Bowling Green State University this fall, is considering bowling for the collegiate club team. His bowling to-do list still has a few outstanding items like making the cut at the upcoming Junior Gold Championships in Cleveland in July.
“I still have something to prove,” he said.
State champ times three: Among Hosier's accomplishments are three Division II state championships — two with her Mechanicsburg team (2014 and '16) as well as an individual D-II state title this year. Hosier was also a four-time Ohio Heritage Conference player of the year.
“When she came in as a freshman, it was an easy transition for her because we had a strong team,” coach David Bush said. “This year, she was the only one left from the state championship teams so she had a much bigger role to play. Losing her will be a big loss.”
Ohio High School Senior Bowlers of the Year
State Bowlers of the Year
Ally Hosier, Mechanicsburg
Steven Kocher, Northmont
District Bowlers of the Year
Southwest: Brittany-Ann O'Connell, Beavercreek; Josh Abbott, Sidney
Northwest: Paige Hartings, Coldwater; Cory Whitacre, Coldwater
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