Amherst state champions honored by at Ohio State House – Morning Journal

On Mar 30, 2022

Winning a state championship is no easy feat for any athlete.

On March 30, Amherst Bowler Makayla Velasquez was recognized by Ohio Rep. Joe Miller during the Ohio State House Session in Columbus.

The OHSAA Girls Bowling Division I Individual State Champion was joined by the OASSA Division II Non-Building Small Division State Champion Competition Cheerleading Team on the floor.

MLS @SteeleCheer was honored this morning with a resolution by @RepJoeMiller on the House Chamber Floor for winning the Cheerleading State Championship! ??? pic.twitter.com/Y89BosAsQU

— Joseph R. Tellier (@SteelePrincipal) March 30, 2022

The Comets’ champions were presented by Miller in general session after they were given a tour of the Ohio State House and had a photoshoot with Miller on the house floor.

This is not the first time Miller recognized Amherst’s accomplished athletes. The Representative was present for the Comets’ boys basketball game on Jan. 4 honoring their Division I State Semifinalist volleyball team.

To this day, Miller resides in Amherst, keeping close ties with his community.

His upbringing from Amherst made him familiar with parents of the student athletes like her, as he grew up with her mother and uncle.

“I’ve known Joe (Miller) for years, since he grew up with my mom and uncle. He’s a great guy. Him paying back to his community is wonderful,” Velasquez said.

Velasquez made school history in Columbus 18 days prior to going to the state house. She became the first Amherst bowler, regardless of gender, to win a state championship.

En route to a title, she bowled a 235, 192 and 237 to total 664 pins and first place and final time in a Comets’ uniform.

“It feel good [to be state champion in my senior season]. I know that all the hard work into (bowling) and all of the practices, the drills and everything has paid off,” Velasquez said.

Amherst finished ninth in the standing in the team’s first ever state tournament appearance. They totaled 2998 pins.