H. Trinity bowler Christie 2nd at states

Holy Trinity junior Luis Christie finished second and was the top Long Island place-winner at Saturday's CHSAA Individual Bowling State Championships at Whitestone Lanes in Flushing.

Christie, the defending state champion, had a high of 279 in the second game of a 906 four-game series (237, 279, 219, 171), which earned him the top seed in the five-person, stepladder final. Christie was matched with St. Joseph's (Buffalo) Stephano Cirrito in the championship and fell, 224-216.

Christie led by 10 pins heading into the final frame and bowled a strike-spare, forcing Cirrito to bowl two consecutive strikes to win the match. He did just that, and Christie fell eight pins shy of a state title.

Christie was the only Long Island bowler to make it to the stepladder round and has made the state tournament three consecutive years.

Of the 27 bowlers participating at the tournament, 14 represented Nassau or Suffolk. "The Long Island kids bowled well, averaging in the top-third compared to the rest of the tournament," CHSAA chairman and Baptist coach Bob Hamilton said.

St. John the Baptist had five bowlers entered, the most of any Long Island school. Brian Braat bowled a 784 four-game series to lead the Cougars.

Andrew Fenn of Chaminade had an 814 series, and Baptist's Cyle Yambo shot a 787.

Christie's teammate, Tom Jakubowski, bowled a 269 in the second game of his series to receive the "high game" award. Christie won the "high series" honors, leaving him ineligible to receive "high game" honors, as well.

Jakubowski bowled an 805 series, leaving him 31 pins shy of advancing to the stepladder finals.