By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural's girls bowling team is returning to the Class 6A state bowling championships after a strong team performance in Friday's regionals at West Ridge Lanes.
Washburn Rural's girls bowling team poses for a picture after tying for first and finishing second on a tiebreaker in Friday's Class 6A regional at West Ridge Lanes. [Photo by Trevor Falcon/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural girls took a second-place finish behind Olathe Northwest, but the finish was not ordinary.
Washburn Rural and Olathe Northwest tied for first with a 2,842 team score, but Olathe Northwest took first on a tiebreaker.
At one point in the regional, Washburn Rural sat in fifth place before the Baker games but came back and clinched a state berth.
Although Washburn Rural had to deal with the pain of being a runner-up, the Junior Blues can rest easier knowing that they will be back in the 6A state meet on March 3rd at Northrock Lanes in Wichita.
“We had some strong spots with the 10-pin games, but had some single spare opportunities that we missed that were makeable,” Rural coach Jo Ricard said. “We were a little below our average through the 10-pin but knew we had to bowl well into Baker. To come back from where we were at before the Baker (games), it took the whole team.
“This is part of what we preach. Yeah, you have to bowl well individually, but it’s the team that’s going to take us there. We are extremely proud of how they finished and what they have done going into next week.”
Junior Claire Ireland paced the Rural girls, rolling a three-game series of 570 to finish fifth individually.
“(Ireland) has done well for us the whole season,” Ricard said. “She listens to what we recommend and suggest and makes those adjustments. I mean, she’s just been stellar for us. We put pressure on her because she is our catalyst for this group. Granted, it takes every single (bowler) because we try to push the team aspect, but she has been a crucial part of this puzzle this year. We are truly grateful for how well she does and not just her, the whole team.”
Washburn Rural’s Elizabeth Poling finished in 15th place with a 506 score, Ashley Billups in 19th place with a 492 score, and Gabby Martinez in 29th place with a 446 score as all three finished in the top 30 individual placers to help boost the team score.
“On Monday, we will sit and talk with the girls and talk about what happened in the 10-pin games,” Ricard said. “We will use the spreadsheet and figure out what things we can work on,” Ricard said. “We will continue to practice theBbaker each day as well. For us as a team, this is an excellent spot for us to be in. We went into this season with no seniors and are very proud of what the girls have done.”
The Topeka High girl bowlers finished in seventh place with a 2,333 team score.
CLASS 6A REGIONAL GIRLS BOWLING
At West Ridge Lanes
Team scores
Olathe Northwest 2,842, Washburn Rural 2,842, Olathe North 2,688, Junction City 2,685, Olathe South 2,631, Lawrence High 2,591, Topeka High 2,333, Gardner-Edgerton 2,305, Olathe West 2,244, Manhattan 2,108, Lawrence Free State 2,084.
Individual Results
1. Skyler Holmes, Olathe Northwest, 586; 2. Molly Dunwiddle, Olathe North, 580; 3. Myranda Rogers, Gardner-Edgerton, 575; 4. Elena McGuire, Olathe North, 571; 5. Claire Ireland, Washburn Rural, 570; 6. Kate Nuzum, Lawrence High, 551; 7. Aubrie Thomas, Olathe South, 534; 8. Victoria Martinez, Junction City, 525; 9. Emma Foland, Olathe South, 524; 10. Dana Nichols, Lawrence High, 520.
Other Washburn Rural – 15. Elizabeth Poling, 506; 19. Ashley Billups, 492; 29. Gabby Martinez, 446; 38. Taylin Sakers, 428; 44. Hailey Beyer, 412.
Topeka High – 27. Rylee Salts, 459; 39. Choize Hysten, 425; 42. Renesmei Lonnen, 419; 47. Gaviena Frank, 382; 49. Aleshia White, 378; 54. Kayda Villanueva, 353.
