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Cheboygan’s Portman signs to bowl at Madonna University

jared greenleaf, cheboygan daily tribune
·4 min read
Cheboygan Area High School senior Izzy Portman officially signed to bowl for the Madonna University women's bowling team during a ceremony held at Cheboygan's Spare Time Lanes on Sunday, May 7.
Cheboygan Area High School senior Izzy Portman officially signed to bowl for the Madonna University women's bowling team during a ceremony held at Cheboygan's Spare Time Lanes on Sunday, May 7.

CHEBOYGAN – Not many Cheboygan Area High School bowlers of both the past and present can say they've had a career as decorated as the one senior Izzy Portman just had.

Every year she was in the program, she competed in the state finals.

While her high school career is now complete, the 2023 Northern Michigan Bowling Conference girls singles champion isn’t done quite yet.

Portman will get a chance to see what she can do at the next level, and she’ll get a great education while doing so.

On Sunday, May 7, at Spare Time Lanes, Portman became the most recent Chief to commit to bowl at the college level by officially signing to play for head coach George Bell and the Madonna University women’s bowling team.

“I’m glad that I get to continue to bowl in college and see where it takes me for my future,” said Portman, the daughter of Don and Shannon Portman. “I’m glad I’m able to pursue my nursing degree as well as being on the team. (The decision-making process) was tough. I had to think about where I would get the best education from and how the sport would affect my education, if I was allowed to do nursing and bowling at the same time, because normally it’s not allowed. It was a big process.

“I’m ready to see where it all takes me with my future.”

Portman had her options to bowl elsewhere, but Madonna was where she felt most comfortable.

“I met a few of the girls on the team and they were really nice, and they were talking to me because they were going into nursing, so they were telling me about what my process would be throughout bowling and pursuing my degree,” Portman said. “Just going on the campus, it’s small and I don’t have to worry about having such a big campus, and I’m surrounded by all my family members downstate.

“It’s probably the biggest decision I’ve made.”

Portman’s choice comes following a terrific senior campaign that saw her not only win the conference title, but also help lead the Cheboygan girls to both a NMBC team crown and a trip to the state finals. Individually, Portman reached the MHSAA Division 3 quarterfinals and earned a spot on the Michigan High School Interscholastic Bowling Coaches Association’s (MHSIBCA) Division 3 all-state first team. Portman is one of two bowlers in the program’s history to qualify for the singles state finals and play at the competition in all four seasons.

“She’s definitely been one of the big parts of this program, I'm glad she gets to continue on and still represent Cheboygan and what we’ve accomplished as a team,” said Cheboygan head coach Brian Taylor. “Obviously, she’s someone you can't replace, so I just wish her the best of luck. (Madonna is going) to be getting somebody who works really hard and shows up every day to bowl, and they’re going to get her best. I know they will. I think she can be a leader for them and maybe bring them some championships.”

Also on hand for the signing was Bell, who was more than thrilled to see Portman join his program.

“I think she’s very teachable and I think she’s got a great future,” said Bell. “It’ll take her a year or so to get used to the college level, but after that, I think she’s going to be an asset for us. I’ve got a great team right now, so I’m looking towards the future.”

During her senior bowling season, Cheboygan's Izzy Portman won the Northern Michigan Bowling Conference girls singles title and helped lead the Cheboygan girls to another NMBC crown and a trip to the state finals. Portman, who reached the MHSAA singles state quarterfinals, also earned all-state first team honors.
During her senior bowling season, Cheboygan's Izzy Portman won the Northern Michigan Bowling Conference girls singles title and helped lead the Cheboygan girls to another NMBC crown and a trip to the state finals. Portman, who reached the MHSAA singles state quarterfinals, also earned all-state first team honors.

Taylor said the Cheboygan program will miss Portman dearly. At the same time, he also knows Portman’s play on the lanes could inspire younger players in the program to strive for the college level.

“She’ll be missed tremendously, obviously. It’s hard to replace someone like that, but it’s nice to have somebody who’s that good to keep moving on so it makes the other kids look up, like, ‘OK, I want to have a chance to maybe get a scholarship and bowl, too.’ It’s more than just being on the team, it’s also what she represents,” Taylor said.

For Portman, she’s thankful for the coaches, teammates and support system who helped turn her into one of the best the program has ever produced.

“It’s been amazing. I couldn’t have asked for better coaches and a better four years of my life to spend with all my friends and making memories,” Portman said. “They’ve helped me tremendously. Every single tournament, if they saw me down, they would always be there to help me and support me, and everything I’ve gone through throughout the last four years, they’ve helped me through everything.”

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan’s Portman signs to bowl at Madonna University