BUCYRUS — Bowling as a varsity sport at Bucyrus High School just completed its first year.
It didn’t take long to produce the first college recruit.
Tod Spurlock signed his letter of intent to attend Tiffin University and bowl for the Dragons.
Besides proximity to home, Tiffin rose to the top over other suitors Bowling Green and Ashland for Spurlock.
“It’s a private school and they gave me better offers,” Spurlock said.
“We’re very happy that Tod Spurlock signed to bowl for the Tiffin University Dragons,” Tiffin coach Charlie Massi said. “Tod comes from a great high school bowling program under the guidance of Coach Diane Kaple.”
“(Coach Massi) came in at state when I was there my junior year and he talked to me a little bit then,” Spurlock said. “Then he came back again next year, and he talked to me a little bit more.”
That was enough to finalize Spurlock’s decision.
Even though the Redmen have only bowled as a varsity program for a year, bowling at the school has been going on a club sport for over 40 years, according to Kaple who has headed the program for the last 20 years, though the exact start date is unclear.
“When Tod went to state last year (as a junior), I think it really opened the eyes of the community as to what bowling — the possibilities, how bowling has evolved as a sport,” Kaple said. “At the collegiate level, we are seeing it growing in leaps and bounds. I just thought it was so important to give Bucyrus this opportunity. Bucyrus has produced some wonderful bowlers throughout our years and I really wanted to see them get the recognition they deserve.”
Kaple noted that Bucyrus had one other bowler participate at the collegiate level, Brock Likens, who walked on at Bowling Green. Spurlock is the first to have been recruited.
Spurlock will have as a college roommate fellow Crawford Countian A.J. Randolph of Galion. Spurlock will major in real estate or accounting but is definite about his bowling goals.
“I’m going to try to be their team captain and average about 220,” Spurlock said.
“I have no doubt in my mind that Tod will thrive very well at the collegiate level and make a lot of noise for the Tiffin University Dragons in our Conference, Region, and national level,” Massi said. “Tod qualified to the Ohio High School Bowling State Championships multiple times in his career as an individual and we expect Tod to be an great asset for our bowling program in the Ohio Bowling Conference and the national level, while representing Tiffin University to success as a student-athlete.”