Standout season includes new school record, Bowler of the Year honors, and state tournament appearance.
High School junior Brody Higginbotham capped off a record-breaking season by competing at the OHSAA Boys Division II State Bowling Tournament on Friday. While he fell short of his ultimate goal, his journey to state was marked by impressive achievements, including setting a new school record and earning Northern Ohio Bowling League (NOBL) Male Bowler of the Year honors.
Higginbotham, who has been a dominant force all season, shattered the school record previously held by his older brother, Gabe Higginbotham. Gabe’s record series of 429, set during the 2020–2021 season, was surpassed by Brody’s remarkable 526 series. Reflecting on his younger brother’s success, Gabe shared his pride and admiration. “I always wanted to see Brody exceed what I did in high school,” he said. “He was always so passionate and dedicated when it came to bowling — the same fire I see in myself. Over the summer, I could’ve told you this was going to happen. What is a shocker to most is not to me. The work he put in both mentally and physically through the off-season was a major turning point. Once he rounded that corner, I was just able to see the greatness. The best part is that the best is yet to come.”
Brody’s standout season earned him the NOBL Male Bowler of the Year award, a testament to his skill and consistency. His grandmother, Deb Higginbotham, expressed her pride in both Brody and Gabe. “I just love that they love the game, and they do great at it!” she said. “He accomplished so much this year — Bowler of the Year, won his place at state in districts, and broke his brother’s record. So yeah, I’m proud of both of them and their bowling!”
His cousin, Lexy Malone, also praised his dedication and growth. “Brody has always been determined to be the best at what he does. Bowling was not an exception to that,” she said. “I have loved watching him grow and become a better version of himself. Any match I went to, I watched Brody turn to his big brother, Gabe, or his coaches, Diane and Joe. You can see that he respects what they have to say and is willing to make the changes to be better. That’s why he was able to make it as far as he did. I am beyond proud of him and can’t wait to see what his future holds for him.”
Despite the pressure of the state tournament, Brody embraced the experience, noting the high energy and camaraderie among competitors. “It was definitely a different experience,” he said. “There were a lot more people than a regular tournament. The intensity from the start was something I’ve never really been around. Especially bowling as an individual, the amount of support you have from other teams is incredible. It really shows that, yeah, you’re there to beat everyone, but there’s no reason you can’t be happy for someone else’s success as well.”
His other grandmother, Vicki Ruttman, echoed the family’s admiration for his dedication. “I couldn’t be any prouder of the drive and determination Brody has,” she said. “With the help of his coaches and older brother, his hard work paid off this year. His composure and attitude were 100% on point. To watch him compete with the best in the state was an overwhelming feeling that is hard to describe.” With an impressive junior-year average of 212.6, Brody has set the stage for what could be an even greater senior season. As his brother put it, “The best is yet to come.”
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