Long before official practice began for East River in its quest for a fourth consecutive FHSAA girls bowling state title, the Falcons and their top bowler were busy having national tournament success in the summer.
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Two-time reigning Orlando Sentinel Girls Bowler of the Year, Larielle Tharps, is more than ready for her senior season after winning a prestigious national title and finalizing her college choice.
Tharps won the 18U girls division of the Storm Youth Championships in June in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and followed that up with a fifth-place finish in the 18U Junior Gold Championships in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Those performances earned her a spot on Youth Team USA.
And while Tharps was in Green Bay, the rest of her East River teammates were in Columbus, Ohio, competing in the High School Bowling National Championships. The Falcons finished ninth without their anchor player.
“The other girls really stepped up without Larielle,” said East River coach Tom Tagye, who accompanied the team. “It’s our best finish in three years going to nationals.”
That showed the depth of talent the Falcons have heading into the 2026 season. East River returners are seniors Emily Marmolejo, Emmylou Molina (a four-year starter), juniors Mya Vidal and Aynilee McKay Levine; and sophomore Tara Vidal.
“I’m very proud of how they did,” said Tharps, who was texting her teammates encouragement while she was in Green Bay. “It shows they can hold their own.”
Tharps committed to college bowling power Wichita State, which was the NCAA Tournament runner-up last season. The Shockers were not on her radar until later in the recruiting process.
“It wasn’t one of my top choices, but they reached out and I visited the campus,” she said. “It’s in the middle of nowhere, but they have a great criminal justice program and that’s what I want to do after college.”
Tharps isn’t the only East River senior who made a college decision. Marmolejo is headed to the University of Pikeville (Kentucky). That program has won six women’s national team titles, including its fourth NAIA title last spring.
East River opens its regular season Tuesday with a four-way match that includes Colonial, Lake Nona and University (Orlando) at Orlando’s Boardwalk Bowl — the site of the state tournament.
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FHSAA state bowling: East River repeats; Poncho Johnson, Leesburg runner-ups
Boys bowling
Last year’s top Orlando area boys team was South Lake, which finished fourth in the FHSAA finals. The Eagles had multiple guys averaging 220 or more, including Sentinel Boys Bowler of the Year, Brody Cartier, who finished third in the state meet. But all of those high-average bowlers were seniors, so South Lake head coach Matt Sanderlin knew it would be like starting over.
“I was a little worried after losing six studs,” said Sanderlin, in his 10th year at the helm.
The good news is that two juniors on this year’s squad got experience in the state finals last year. Collin Linde started with games of 290 and 233 in South Lake’s season-opening match last week, a win over Lake Minneola. Thomas Owens added an even stronger 537 series (268-269).
Both of those bowlers shined over the summer. Linde won the Kegel Youth Point Series (KYPS) end of year event, placed 14th in the High School Nationals, and rolled an 804 series and 300 game in Junior Gold.
Owen finished second to Linde in the KYPS event, and rolled his second career sanctioned 300 game.
Big numbers
In girls play Lake Mary’s Page Arnold posted a 266 game and 476 two-game series in a win.
In other early-season boys action, Hagerty’s Jonathan Madruga has games of 279, 276, 275 and 255 in his first three Seminole Athletic Conference matches for a 256 average. That included a strong showing in a tight Tuesday meet that saw the Huskies outscore Lake Mary 2,724 to 2,670. Garrett Spiers had a 268 game and 474 series in that victory. Lake Mary’s Jackson Lamb notched a 265 game and 489 series.
Alexander Coghill had games of 247, 244 and 238 in Oviedo’s first two matches. His teammate, James Wilson, rolled a 245 and a 456 two-game series.
Lyman’s Jonathan Vinson-McFarland rolled a 448 series with a 259 game in a win against Oviedo.
South Lake senior Brody Cartier is Boys Bowler of the Year
Varsity content editor Buddy Collings can be contacted by email at [email protected].
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