BELLEVILLE – Ashley Heistand's bowling career at Alton High School came to an end Saturday.
Heistand, a senior, had a six-game series of 1,084 with a high game of 244 as the Redbirds finished 12th in the Belleville East IHSA Sectional girls bowling tournament at Bel-Air Lanes.
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While Heistand's career with the Redbirds didn't quite end the way she may have wanted it to, her contributions to Alton's program will not soon be forgotten, contributions that include a trip to the 2016 state tournament as an individual and a trip to the 2014 state tournament as part of a Redbird team that went through to the tournament.
“I just don't think we bowled the best that we could,” Heistand said. “Personally, I didn't bowl the best I could, especially the first half; I came back a little stronger in the second half with my fourth game (her 244). I couldn't figure out the lanes that well.
“It's a really tough sectional; this sectional is tough every year. For us, the pins just didn't fall the way we wanted them to.”
Being a part of the Redbird program has meant much to Heistand.
“I've made a whole bunch of friends through the bowling program all four years,” Heistand said. “My best friend and I have bowled together forever, so when we came into high school, we've been together the longest; that was really fun to bowl with her. Just making new friends; you grow close bonds with everybody.”
Heistand felt the Redbirds had a good season overall. “We won the (O'Fallon) Panther Invitational for the first time; that was really special for us. Overall, we had a good season.”
Heistand is optimistic about next season for her team. “I think they have a lot of potential,” Heistand said. “If they work hard enough, they can make it to state next year.”
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