NY STATE BOYS BOWLING: WAVERLY’S JOHNSON PLACES FIFTH AT INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (March 14, 2026)

By TIM TAYLOR
Valley Sports Report
SYRACUSE — Waverly’s Derek Johnson started out strong then put on a late charge to place fifth in the Individual Championship Division 2 tournament at the 2026 NYSPHSAA Bowling Championships held at AMF Syracuse Lanes here Saturday.

“I bowled well today,” he said. “I didn't bowl well enough to get the first spot, but fifth out of (56) is pretty good. I feel it's a pretty good way to go out.”

Johnson, who has competed in the team competition the past three seasons, started his fourth and final state appearance with the high game of the event, a 289. He closed out the opening series with a 192 and 191 for a 672 series.

His second series began with a 183, then he rolled a 235 and 212 for a 630 series.

Johnson’s six-game 1302 total was just one pin shy of his state tournament best which he posted last year.

The four-time state qualifier also received the Section IV Division 2 Sportsmanship award.

While his approach to the individual tournament is similar to how he approached the three team events, there is a difference in the two.

“Bowling with a team is just way more exciting, way more exhilarating to be with your friends and bowling at this high of a level of bowling, but this year I came in here individually and I just had a goal in my mind,” he said. “You approach it very, very similar. You hit your mark, make your spares.”

Weedsport’s Ethan Reitema won the individual title with a 1381 while Chenango Forks’ Landon Butenko was the runner-up with a 1366. Johnson was three pins out of fourth place and three pins ahead of Owego’s Connor Kotski.

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PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.

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