(l-r) Jason Nutt, Gabby Nutt, Taylor Nutt, Joslyn Nutt, and Jeff Nutt.
(Photo by Scott DeCamp)
By Scott DeCamp
LocalSportsJournal.com
RAVENNA – Brothers Jason and Jeff Nutt make a great duo as co-coaches for Ravenna’s top-ranked girls high school bowling team, reigning state champion in Division 4.
They complement each other well: Jason, who grew up the more excitable one; Jeff, more laid-back.
But, like most brothers, they’ve had their moments. Heated moments.
Take, for instance, a time they went golfing with friends in high school during the mid-1990s. On a par 3 at Ravenna Creeks, Jeff hit his tee shot into some long grass and was searching for his ball for a while.
“A long while,” Jason said with a smirk, remembering growing impatient at the time.
“Jason says, ‘I’m putting,’ so he gets up on the green while I find my ball and he’s up there putting,” Jeff recalled, thinking at that time, “I’m just going to loft one up there (onto the green with a wedge).”
Jason interjected with a grin: “Real smart.”
“I drilled him in the side of the head, just bladed one,” Jeff said, gesturing toward his cheek and jaw area.
“The only thing I remember is waking up and my ear was just (making a piercing, ringing noise),” Jason said. “I had no idea. I thought one of my friends, because they were standing next to me, punched me in the face. I had no idea.”
“So I get on the golf cart and as soon as he gets up, he’s looking for me. And I’m driving the cart and he’s chasing me across the golf course,” Jeff continued, folding over in laughter. “I’m driving away from him because he was so mad.”
Jason responded: “I finished the round, man, but my jaw was like this (gesturing toward a swollen left jaw).”
Laughing, Jeff added: “He had dimple marks on the side of his face.”
“It was right before graduation,” Jason said with a smile. “I graduated from high school with a swelled-up face and dimple marks on my head.”
Jason and Jeff Nutt, who are 1996 and 1997 Ravenna High School graduates, respectively, have been incredibly close and remain that way. They practically grew up at Ravenna Bowl, which parents Jim and Ginny Nutt managed, operated, and eventually owned, and they made some lifelong memories there.
These days, Jason Nutt is still quite animated, which probably helps as a first-grade teacher at Ravenna’s Beechnau Elementary. Jeff Nutt, a realtor for RE/MAX in Newaygo, is still pretty even-keel.
Together, the Nutt brothers and their Ravenna girls bowling team hope to create more memories as they defend their state title in the Division 4 state finals Feb. 27-28 at Skore Lanes in Taylor.
On the heels of Ravenna’s first bowling state championship in 2024-25, and first-ever state title for any girls sport in school history, the Bulldogs have assembled quite the follow-up season.
They’re 18-0 in dual competitions with county, conference, and regional crowns on their resume.
Ravenna defeated Division 1 fourth-ranked Grand Haven in a dual match, and the Bulldogs’ lone blemish – if you can call it that – is a runner-up finish to Division 1 top-ranked Rockford in the Fruitport Invitational.
Most recently, Ravenna rolled to the Division 4 team regional title Feb. 18 at Northway Lanes, the Bulldogs’ home house, where they also captured the state championship last season. On Feb. 19, Ravenna’s five bowlers in its starting lineup all finished in the top six of the individual regional at Northway to punch their tickets to the individual state finals Feb. 28 in Taylor.
Ravenna has received contributions throughout its roster, as bowlers have stepped up in different moments, but the Nutt girls lead the way. Jeff Nutt’s daughters, junior Taylor and freshman Joslyn, are averaging 187 and 174, respectively. Jason Nutt’s daughter, sophomore Gabby, is averaging 179.
Junior Reese Herremans (153) and sophomore Kendyl Luce (153) round out Ravenna’s regular five-bowler lineup, but freshman Briahna Burns (141) and sophomore Linzie Denhof (131) have been solid, too.
“We wouldn’t have won (the state title) last year (without contributions from everybody) – just wouldn’t. You have five girls on your team,” said Jason Nutt, who noted that during Ravenna’s comeback in the 2025 finals match against Bad Axe, Luce had “two marks” in the final Baker game and now-graduated Emma Herremans delivered a big strike in the ninth frame.
“It’s a long day and you bowl a lot of games,” Jeff Nutt said. “Everybody’s going to have a bad game – you’re just going to. When one has a bad one, you need somebody else to step up and shoot above their average and kind of make up that difference.”
Ravenna’s top five bowlers earned All-West Michigan Conference accolades. In the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association tournament, Taylor Nutt was second, Joslyn Nutt third, Reese Herremans sixth, and Gabby Nutt seventh. In the WMC tourney, Taylor Nutt took first, Joslyn Nutt second, Herremans seventh, Burns eighth, and Luce ninth.
Consider: Burns is not in the regular lineup, but she came through in a big way in the conference tournament.
In the individual regional, Taylor Nutt captured first place followed by Gabby Nutt second, Joslyn Nutt third, Herremans fourth, and Luce sixth. Burns placed ninth, narrowly missing the top-seven cut line that qualifies bowlers for the individual state finals.
“They’re a close-knit group,” Jason Nutt said. “Sometimes, the spotlight can get shined on (the Nutt girls). I think (the other girls) take that well. You know, Reese is a great softball player. I’m sure she realizes she’s going to shine a little brighter than maybe Taylor and Jos on the softball team.”
Donald Nutt, Jason and Jeff Nutt’s late grandfather, founded Ravenna Bowl in 1963 along with business partners Bets Linck and Paul Herman. The bowling alley was a social center in the community.
Jim and Ginny Nutt became part-owners of Ravenna Bowl in 1985 and took sole ownership of it in 2003. They sold the bowling alley about 10 years ago because it was time to retire.
Jeff Nutt said he considered buying the bowling alley, but he was already involved in real estate. He saw that his parents were pretty much married to the bowling alley and could hardly get away. Jeff wanted to be able to watch his daughters grow up and see their sporting events.
Bowling is still quite clearly a family affair for the Nutts. Jim and Ginny attend pretty much every Ravenna girls bowling competition, as do Jason’s and Jeff’s respective wives, Trisha and Ashley.
Jason and Jeff Nutt have very fond memories growing up at Ravenna Bowl, where it all started.
“I think I was about kindergarten when that happened and kindergarten was half-day. A lot of times I would go to school in the morning and then my mom picks me up and I’m at the bowling alley bowling or doing whatever the rest of the day,” Jeff Nutt said with a smile. “I guess that’s my first memory is just going to work with mom and getting to bowl and that kind of stuff.”
“I don’t have that memory, so I must’ve been in first grade going to school all day long. That’s why he was a better bowler than me, must be,” Jason Nutt said as he pointed at Jeff, who was laughing.
At the peak of their respective bowling careers, Jeff Nutt averaged 239 and Jason 226. Jeff has around 30 perfect games. Jason is still seeking his first 300, but it’s no longer an active pursuit.
“(Growing up) we bowled Saturday mornings in the junior bowling program and Sundays they had ‘Breakfast Bowl,’ where they had breakfast and bowling and we’d be there ripping our thumbs, bowling 20 games on a Sunday after getting done bowling 15 (games) on a Saturday. So that’s what we did,” Jason Nutt said.
The brothers have passed the passion down to their daughters, who in turn have spent a ton of time around bowling as well. The girls’ best memories from a young age involve hanging out with grandma and grandpa at Ravenna Bowl: Running around the facility, coloring books at the table in grandma’s kitchen where she worked, and eating microwaved mac and cheese.
Of course, bowling was involved, too.
“We basically, like, lived there,” Taylor Nutt said. “It felt like we were there after school and we’d stay there until it closed. My favorite memory was probably oiling the lanes with my grandpa.”
It can be a delicate balance as Dad/Coach, and sometimes Jason and Jeff Nutt take turns talking to the others’ daughters to keep the peace, but all parties seem to be enjoying and trying to soak in the experience.
“I think it’s helpful because we can go home and talk about the things after and really relate to what they know because obviously they’ve been great bowlers since they were young, too,” Joslyn Nutt said. “I think the chemistry with our whole team, it really helps to calm you down or sometimes get you going a little bit.”
The Nutt family is plenty competitive – amongst each other and against the opposition, of course.
Taylor and Joslyn Nutt are dual-sporting this winter, both members of Ravenna’s girls varsity basketball team that is enjoying a strong season as well, so schedules can be hectic.
During this special time in their lives, the Nutt brothers and their daughters are trying to win and win big in bowling.
“I remember looking back, clearly when we were a little bit older and not when we were 5, getting excited to all bowl together and just getting that experience not just on Saturday morning league,” Gabby Nutt said. “My dad’s always talked about a state championship at some point and I think the fact we did it last year without Joslyn kind of showed that’s definitely an opportunity we could have time and time again with Jos.”
LocalSportsJournal.com
RAVENNA – Brothers Jason and Jeff Nutt make a great duo as co-coaches for Ravenna’s top-ranked girls high school bowling team, reigning state champion in Division 4.
They complement each other well: Jason, who grew up the more excitable one; Jeff, more laid-back.
But, like most brothers, they’ve had their moments. Heated moments.
Take, for instance, a time they went golfing with friends in high school during the mid-1990s. On a par 3 at Ravenna Creeks, Jeff hit his tee shot into some long grass and was searching for his ball for a while.
“A long while,” Jason said with a smirk, remembering growing impatient at the time.
“Jason says, ‘I’m putting,’ so he gets up on the green while I find my ball and he’s up there putting,” Jeff recalled, thinking at that time, “I’m just going to loft one up there (onto the green with a wedge).”
Jason interjected with a grin: “Real smart.”
“I drilled him in the side of the head, just bladed one,” Jeff said, gesturing toward his cheek and jaw area.
“The only thing I remember is waking up and my ear was just (making a piercing, ringing noise),” Jason said. “I had no idea. I thought one of my friends, because they were standing next to me, punched me in the face. I had no idea.”
“So I get on the golf cart and as soon as he gets up, he’s looking for me. And I’m driving the cart and he’s chasing me across the golf course,” Jeff continued, folding over in laughter. “I’m driving away from him because he was so mad.”
Jason responded: “I finished the round, man, but my jaw was like this (gesturing toward a swollen left jaw).”
Laughing, Jeff added: “He had dimple marks on the side of his face.”
“It was right before graduation,” Jason said with a smile. “I graduated from high school with a swelled-up face and dimple marks on my head.”
Jason and Jeff Nutt, who are 1996 and 1997 Ravenna High School graduates, respectively, have been incredibly close and remain that way. They practically grew up at Ravenna Bowl, which parents Jim and Ginny Nutt managed, operated, and eventually owned, and they made some lifelong memories there.
These days, Jason Nutt is still quite animated, which probably helps as a first-grade teacher at Ravenna’s Beechnau Elementary. Jeff Nutt, a realtor for RE/MAX in Newaygo, is still pretty even-keel.
Together, the Nutt brothers and their Ravenna girls bowling team hope to create more memories as they defend their state title in the Division 4 state finals Feb. 27-28 at Skore Lanes in Taylor.
On the heels of Ravenna’s first bowling state championship in 2024-25, and first-ever state title for any girls sport in school history, the Bulldogs have assembled quite the follow-up season.
They’re 18-0 in dual competitions with county, conference, and regional crowns on their resume.
Ravenna defeated Division 1 fourth-ranked Grand Haven in a dual match, and the Bulldogs’ lone blemish – if you can call it that – is a runner-up finish to Division 1 top-ranked Rockford in the Fruitport Invitational.
Most recently, Ravenna rolled to the Division 4 team regional title Feb. 18 at Northway Lanes, the Bulldogs’ home house, where they also captured the state championship last season. On Feb. 19, Ravenna’s five bowlers in its starting lineup all finished in the top six of the individual regional at Northway to punch their tickets to the individual state finals Feb. 28 in Taylor.
Ravenna has received contributions throughout its roster, as bowlers have stepped up in different moments, but the Nutt girls lead the way. Jeff Nutt’s daughters, junior Taylor and freshman Joslyn, are averaging 187 and 174, respectively. Jason Nutt’s daughter, sophomore Gabby, is averaging 179.
Junior Reese Herremans (153) and sophomore Kendyl Luce (153) round out Ravenna’s regular five-bowler lineup, but freshman Briahna Burns (141) and sophomore Linzie Denhof (131) have been solid, too.
“We wouldn’t have won (the state title) last year (without contributions from everybody) – just wouldn’t. You have five girls on your team,” said Jason Nutt, who noted that during Ravenna’s comeback in the 2025 finals match against Bad Axe, Luce had “two marks” in the final Baker game and now-graduated Emma Herremans delivered a big strike in the ninth frame.
“It’s a long day and you bowl a lot of games,” Jeff Nutt said. “Everybody’s going to have a bad game – you’re just going to. When one has a bad one, you need somebody else to step up and shoot above their average and kind of make up that difference.”
Ravenna’s top five bowlers earned All-West Michigan Conference accolades. In the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association tournament, Taylor Nutt was second, Joslyn Nutt third, Reese Herremans sixth, and Gabby Nutt seventh. In the WMC tourney, Taylor Nutt took first, Joslyn Nutt second, Herremans seventh, Burns eighth, and Luce ninth.
Consider: Burns is not in the regular lineup, but she came through in a big way in the conference tournament.
In the individual regional, Taylor Nutt captured first place followed by Gabby Nutt second, Joslyn Nutt third, Herremans fourth, and Luce sixth. Burns placed ninth, narrowly missing the top-seven cut line that qualifies bowlers for the individual state finals.
“They’re a close-knit group,” Jason Nutt said. “Sometimes, the spotlight can get shined on (the Nutt girls). I think (the other girls) take that well. You know, Reese is a great softball player. I’m sure she realizes she’s going to shine a little brighter than maybe Taylor and Jos on the softball team.”
Donald Nutt, Jason and Jeff Nutt’s late grandfather, founded Ravenna Bowl in 1963 along with business partners Bets Linck and Paul Herman. The bowling alley was a social center in the community.
Jim and Ginny Nutt became part-owners of Ravenna Bowl in 1985 and took sole ownership of it in 2003. They sold the bowling alley about 10 years ago because it was time to retire.
Jeff Nutt said he considered buying the bowling alley, but he was already involved in real estate. He saw that his parents were pretty much married to the bowling alley and could hardly get away. Jeff wanted to be able to watch his daughters grow up and see their sporting events.
Bowling is still quite clearly a family affair for the Nutts. Jim and Ginny attend pretty much every Ravenna girls bowling competition, as do Jason’s and Jeff’s respective wives, Trisha and Ashley.
Jason and Jeff Nutt have very fond memories growing up at Ravenna Bowl, where it all started.
“I think I was about kindergarten when that happened and kindergarten was half-day. A lot of times I would go to school in the morning and then my mom picks me up and I’m at the bowling alley bowling or doing whatever the rest of the day,” Jeff Nutt said with a smile. “I guess that’s my first memory is just going to work with mom and getting to bowl and that kind of stuff.”
“I don’t have that memory, so I must’ve been in first grade going to school all day long. That’s why he was a better bowler than me, must be,” Jason Nutt said as he pointed at Jeff, who was laughing.
At the peak of their respective bowling careers, Jeff Nutt averaged 239 and Jason 226. Jeff has around 30 perfect games. Jason is still seeking his first 300, but it’s no longer an active pursuit.
“(Growing up) we bowled Saturday mornings in the junior bowling program and Sundays they had ‘Breakfast Bowl,’ where they had breakfast and bowling and we’d be there ripping our thumbs, bowling 20 games on a Sunday after getting done bowling 15 (games) on a Saturday. So that’s what we did,” Jason Nutt said.
The brothers have passed the passion down to their daughters, who in turn have spent a ton of time around bowling as well. The girls’ best memories from a young age involve hanging out with grandma and grandpa at Ravenna Bowl: Running around the facility, coloring books at the table in grandma’s kitchen where she worked, and eating microwaved mac and cheese.
Of course, bowling was involved, too.
“We basically, like, lived there,” Taylor Nutt said. “It felt like we were there after school and we’d stay there until it closed. My favorite memory was probably oiling the lanes with my grandpa.”
It can be a delicate balance as Dad/Coach, and sometimes Jason and Jeff Nutt take turns talking to the others’ daughters to keep the peace, but all parties seem to be enjoying and trying to soak in the experience.
“I think it’s helpful because we can go home and talk about the things after and really relate to what they know because obviously they’ve been great bowlers since they were young, too,” Joslyn Nutt said. “I think the chemistry with our whole team, it really helps to calm you down or sometimes get you going a little bit.”
The Nutt family is plenty competitive – amongst each other and against the opposition, of course.
Taylor and Joslyn Nutt are dual-sporting this winter, both members of Ravenna’s girls varsity basketball team that is enjoying a strong season as well, so schedules can be hectic.
During this special time in their lives, the Nutt brothers and their daughters are trying to win and win big in bowling.
“I remember looking back, clearly when we were a little bit older and not when we were 5, getting excited to all bowl together and just getting that experience not just on Saturday morning league,” Gabby Nutt said. “My dad’s always talked about a state championship at some point and I think the fact we did it last year without Joslyn kind of showed that’s definitely an opportunity we could have time and time again with Jos.”
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