By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
After coming up short of a Class 6A team berth last season, the Washburn Rural boys bowling team took a runner-up finish in Friday's Class 6A regional at West Ridge Lanes, qualifying the Junior Blues for next Friday's state meet at Northrock Lanes in Wichita.
Washburn Rural's boys bowling team finished second in Friday's regional to earn a team berth in next week's Class 6A state tournament at Wichita. [Photo by Trevor Falcon/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural knew it had to earn the right to bowl for a state title in a highly-competitive regional field.
“We knew it was going to be tough,” Washburn Rural coach Jo Ricard said. “We’ve been with Olathe South sometimes, and we know what they’ve done. We always know Olathe North has it in their back pocket as well. Junction (City) battled us hard last week, and they’ve battled us in Wichita. It’s up to who’s on and who’s able to make the adjustments the correct way.
“We had some strong points, and we had some struggle points. There was a stress point coming into this today, knowing where we are coming in with the season going the way it has gone for us. But we still had good, quality games, and that’s what it takes. We knew there would be a battle on our hands with all of the schools that were here, knowing how well that they have done throughout the season.”
Josh Hammons and Logan Glinka led the way for Washburn Rural in its quest for a state title, posting top 10 finishes.
Hammons took second place individually with a 717 three-game series while Glinka earned a ninth-place finish with a 646.
Whether it’s Hammons, Glinka, Geo Peoples, Reece Godby, Walker Thompson or Tyler Faurot, the team is confident in its deep rotation of high-quality bowlers who have all had individual success in the 2022-2023 campaign.
“What I like about this season is that it hasn’t been the same person (leading the team) every single time,” Ricard said. “One time it can be Hammons, the next time it can be Glinka, the next time it can be Glinka or Peoples or Walker, and Reece have had his fair share of (success). Tyler has come on with us the last half of the season and has had his share of great days. All of them together can take that potential and run with it moving forward.”
Washburn Rural will take its deep lineup of bowlers down to Wichita on March 3rd for the 6A state championships, hoping to return with the gold.
“We are pleased with coming out where we came out,” Ricard said. “We get three more days of practice before we get down to (Wichita), and we will get to have a day of practice down there. Next week is a new ballgame in a new place. We will see what happens with it.”
The Topeka High boys’ took an 11th-place regional finish.
“The (girls) met the demand today and bowled the best they have all year, and the boys progressed this year as a whole,” Topeka High coach Brian Brunkow said. “Our top four boys ended up having almost the same average today. I want to bump them up to another 30 pins each. The season is not very long for us, so they need to practice.”
CLASS 6A REGIONAL BOYS BOWLING
Team scores
Olathe Northwest 3,464, Washburn Rural 3,426, Olathe North 3,417, Olathe South 3,317, Olathe West 3,292, Junction City 3,225, Manhattan 3,213, Gardner-Edgerton 3,034, Lawrence High 2,979, Lawrence Free State 2,940, Topeka High 2,841.
Individual results
1. Tommy Mitchell, Olathe Northwest, 732; 2. Josh Hammons, Washburn Rural, 717; 3. Nate Ebner, Olathe South, 711; 4. Torrey Lindsay, Junction City, 703; 5. Carter Stigall, Olathe North 689; 6. Justin Preston, Olathe Northwest, 668; 7. Evan Slife, Gardner-Edgerton, 658; 8. Kasen Hunsaker, Olathe West, 653; 9. Logan Glinka, Washburn Rural, 646; 10. Alex Spencer, Olathe North, 640.
