CLASS 5-1A

WICHITA TRINITY’S LONGENECKER TAKES FINAL STATE SHOT
 
It all started with an invitation in the mail and the promise of his own ball when Brady Longenecker was 11 years old.
 
Now a Wichita Trinity senior, Longenecker and a buddy signed up back then for an 8-week junior league at Northrock Lanes, site of this week’s state boys and girls bowling championships. When it ended, Longenecker had a new obsession and an 8-pound keepsake.
 
“That is how I started bowling,” said Longnecker, who will take the state’s top boys scoring average of 230 into the Class 5-1A tournament on Thursday afternoon. “I just felt that motivation that I wanted to get better at it.
 
“And getting your own ball is pretty cool, so I was like, ‘Hey, this is awesome.’”
 
Since then, Longenecker estimates he has bowled roughly 10,000 games at Northrock. He’s the top returning finisher in the 5-1A boys field after taking third with a 700 series last season.
 
For the three-time All-Class 4-1A selection – including first team his sophomore and junior season – Longenecker’s first state medal was a welcome achievement.
 
“It got the monkey off my back, for sure,” said Longenecker, who finished 83^rd at state as a freshman and 25^th as a sophomore (the top 20 receive state medals). “It’s frustrating to bowl well all season and then not bowl as well at state.”
 
Longenecker has certainly delivered so far this season. He helped Trinity qualify for state for the third consecutive year with a top-10 individual finish at regionals. The Knights, who were third behind Andover and Eisenhower in the team race, feature four other bowlers with state experience – senior Wesley Hutton, juniors Connor Jahn and Drake Zogleman, and sophomore Croix Wright.
 
“It’s been fun to watch him grow because he has it all,” Trinity coach Dalen Rosiere said. “He’s the total package. He obviously has the bowling itself down, but to see him grow as an individual, to grow as a leader and to help drive this team in the right direction, he’s definitely been a key part of that.”
 
Longenecker, who will bowl for Newman University next year, opened the season with 12 consecutive games of 212 or better. A 739 series at the Great Plains Invitational – one he bowled while not feeling well – raised his season average above 243. The average dipped after a 581 series in a meet at Cheney, but Longenecker came back to win the Northrock Cup – and lead the Knights to a team title – with his 757 pinfall total.
 
“Personally, I just think holding a really high average is hard to do,” Longenecker said. “I feel like I’ve been able to show up at the meets that really matter like Great Plains and Northrock Cup and perform. Last year, state was really good, and I hope this year it is, too.”
 

SWEEP-PEAT? SEAMAN CAPABLE OF GOING BACK-TO-BACK IN 5-1A
 
Seaman’s girls would love nothing more than to change the recent history of the Class 5-1A state bowling championship.
 
Since Sumner Academy won back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2008 – the first year 5-1A had its own state tournament – no girls’ program has been able to successfully repeat as state champions. Seaman, Bishop Carroll and Buhler have each won multiple state titles during that span, but none of those have come in consecutive seasons.
 
Yep, there’s a certain amount of pressure that comes with wearing the crown.
 
“We definitely came into this season with a target on our backs,” Seaman senior Katie Price said the Vikings coming off their 2022 state title in which they denied Carroll a repeat from 2021, edging the Golden Eagles by 29 pins. “I know it’s going to be harder from here on out.”
 
That said, Seaman has spent the entire 2023 season looking like a team capable of ending the repeat drought. The Vikings have won all but one of their meets this season – the lone non-victory coming in a runner-up finish to Olathe East at the Free State Invitational in which Seaman posted the highest score during tenpins action, but lost in the finals of the bracket competition.
 
Boasting a season meet average of 2,280, the Vikings have posted six team scores of 2,300 or better, including a season-best 2,435 total just a week ago in Emporia that ranks fourth overall in the state this year.
 
Two of the schools that have posted better team scores also happen to be in 5-1A – Salina South (2,720) and Great Bend (2,626). South holds a season meet average of 2,394 while Great Bend’s is 2,297.
 
After taking last year’s title, Seaman had two big holes to fill with the graduation state runner-up Makenzie Millard, a three-time state placer, and multi-time state placer Kaitlyn Evans. Their spots in the varsity lineup have been filled by a pair of freshmen, Laci Cole and Claire LaDuke.
 
“I really wasn’t sure because the two girls we added were both freshmen,” Seaman coach Bob Benoit said. “When we bowled our first meet at Lawrence, the stage was pretty big for them and they didn’t handle it particularly well and I was concerned. But they’ve worked hard and things have come together.”
 
Having leadership like returning starters Price and juniors Kayla Mize, JaeLinn Thetford and Cheyenne Turkin helped ease the transition for the freshmen. Turkin finished 14^th at last year’s state meet, while Thetford has won four meets this season, including the United Kansas Conference title, and just missed a state medal last year, taking 22nd.
 
Price, meanwhile, began the season with a bang, rolling a 750 series that’s held up as the highest girls’ series in the state this year.
 
“It kind of scared me,” she said. “I was setting the bar really high for myself. But I also knew I can’t bowl like that every time. It was kind of a miracle I bowled that well. But I also know what I’m capable of now as well too when I put it all together.”
 
Price also owns the fifth-best average in the state this year at 198, not to mention the third-best single-game score with a 279. She had ranked second on the Vikings a year ago in average, but didn’t quite perform up to her expectations at state, posting just a 538 series that place her 30^th.
 
While she never let that performance take away from the Vikings team title or eat at her confidence coming into this season, she does want to make the most of her final state meet.
 
“I’ve put it in the past and moved on,” Price said. “I’m super-motivated. I really want to win again. We have such great girls. Last year’s seniors taught us that spares are the most important thing. I’m trying to pass that down to the other girls.”
 
Seaman’s girls posted a 2,968 regional winning score that trailed Salina South (3,105), Great Bend (3,084) and Buhler (3,019).
 
“They’ve done a lot better than I thought they would,” Benoit said. “Our spare game isn’t quite where it needs to be, but it’s getting better. We’re on our way and if we fix a couple things, and put it all together, we can win it again.”
 
Seaman’s boys haven’t run the table like their girls’ team has this season, going through ups and downs all season. The Vikings own a 2,573 meet average but seem to be peaking as they try to defend their crown.
 
After posting a 2,811 score in early February, Seaman topped it with a 2,822 that ranks third in the state this year behind Buhler (2,873) and Washburn Rural (2,829).
 
At regionals, the Vikings edged UKC rival De Soto – which beat them for the league title – by just 17 pins with a 3,557 total. No other regional champion was within 100 pins of Seaman and De Soto.
 
Seaman had to replace two starters off last year’s title team that edged Eisenhower by 11 pins and Kapaun Mt. Carmel by 21 pins for the title, graduating Jack Easum (19^th at state) and Draven Townsend. But in returning 10^th-place finisher Ethan Burns and 17^th-place finisher Zander White, the Vikings had a strong 1-2 punch.
 
Senior Braxton Moore and sophomore Dominic Figueroa have stepped into the holes and produced well after some early tinkering with the lineup.
 
“It was just trying to figure out who works good with each other, seeing the chemistry they have with each other,” Benoit said. “I think I made a couple bad calls early in the season, but we’ve got it worked out and they seem to be back where they were.”
 
Burns owns the fourth-best average in the state this year and third-best 5-1A mark with a 223 average. He also posted the highest series in the state with a 793 at the Emporia meet leading into regionals. Burns followed with a 703 at regionals where he was one of five Vikings with a 625 series or better.
 
All six Vikings were over 600 at regionals, continuing their late surge to make another run at a title. Class 5-1A hasn’t had a repeat champion since Kansas City Washington in 2010-11. 
 
“I think the boys have a great chance,” Benoit said. “We lost two from last year, but the two that stepped in were as good on paper last year as the one ones we lost. I’m not sure if they got to a point where they thought they were unbeatable, but we had a reality check here early in the season and things are coming together now.”
 

WAHLMEIER SET FOR DEFENSE OF 5-1A TITLE 

Great Bend’s Kaylin Wahlmeier was ready for some added pressure as she entered her junior season as the reigning Class 5-1A girls' state bowling champion. 

“I think going into this year I knew it was going to be tough and a little bit stressful,” Wahlmeier said. “But I have my teammates to back me up. They know how much pressure and nerves I had going into the year, and they’re always so positive.”

Wahlmeier has handled the pressure just fine so far, turning in another outstanding season. She will look to defend her state title on Thursday at Northrock Lanes. 

Wahlmeier has the top average in the state at 209. Her season-best series is 692, which is tied for ninth among the state leaders. 

“During WAC I had a couple tournaments where I wasn’t happy, but some of the tournaments I did better than I did last year,” Wahlmeier said. “They were kind of just flip-flopped this year. Some of the easy ones I had last year were a little tougher, and other ones were a little easier this year.”

Walhmeier said she went into last year’s state tournament with a goal of placing in top 10. She ended up firing the best series of her career with a 752 to win by 55 pins. 

“I was more in shock, but I was also so happy,” Wahlmeier said. “I had a lot of family there and they were so proud. To this day, I still hear, ‘We’re so proud of you.’ ”

Even after last year’s state showing, Walhmeier knows she'll still have some butterflies on Thursday. 

“A little bit of confidence (from winning last year), but still a lot of nerves,” Wahlmeier said. “I know I’ll have my team there to support me either way.”

The Panthers finished second at the regional at The Alley in Hutchinson with a total of 3,084, 21 pins behind regional champ Salina South. 
 

UKC DEEP WITH CONTENDERS
 
While Seaman carries the banner as defending boys and girls state champions into the 5-1A state tournament, the Vikings have seen first-hand the competition they must overcome to stay on top.
 
The United Kansas Conference showed out well at last week’s regionals with league teams claiming four of the eight team titles award.
 
While Seaman swept the regional it hosted, the Viking boys got all they wanted from UKC rival De Soto, which had beaten them for its fourth straight league title two weeks ago. The Wildcats finished just 17 pins behind Seaman for the regional title with a 3,540 total that easily would have won any other regional by more than 100 pins.
 
De Soto has arguably the strongest 1-2 punch at the top of its lineup as any team in Class 5-1A, and maybe the state. Senior Antonio Miranda ranks No. 3 in the state this year with a 226 average. Fellow senior Colby Lovegren isn’t far behind, ranking fifth with a 221 average.
 
Lovegren won the UKC individual title with a 723 series, which was just off his season-best of 727 that only ranks as the third-best series on his own team this season.
 
Miranda’s 770 series to start this season is fifth overall in the state and is one of three 700-plus he’s had this season. Senior Collin Bode rolled a 750 series in late January.
 
If that trio is on top of its game and the Wildcats get big performances from Robert Ramsey, Jacob Smith or Luke Swanson – each of whom have a 604 series or better this year – De Soto very well could capture the program’s first state championship.
 
Piper, meanwhile, won its regional at Leavenworth by 182 pins over Lansing, led by an individual title from Landon Dissmeyer, who rolled a 714. Turner was third at the regional, giving the UKC three qualifiying teams from that regional to go with Seaman and De Soto.
 
On the girls’ side, Lansing topped Leavenworth at its regional to give the UKC a 1-2 finish. The Lions were led by Jada Surritte, who’s 653 was the lone 600 series at the regional. 
 
Topeka West finished runner-up to Seaman at their regional with the Chargers led by individual champion Megan Wood, who rolled a 629.
 

STRENGTH IN LOW NUMBERS FOR BUHLER
 
Buhler bowling coach Skip Wilson can’t help feeling like a small fish in a big pond at times with his Crusaders.
 
“It’s hard, man, let me tell ya,” said Wilson, the Crusaders’ coach for the last decade and a member of Wichita State’s first men’s national championship team in 1980. “I talk to these 5A coaches and they’ve got 60 kids trying out and I’m lucky to get 15 or 20.”
 
Buhler, a 4A school, had 11 boys and eight girls out this season. It was enough to get both Crusaders teams back to state.
 
Buhler’s boys won last week’s regional in Hutchinson with a 3,435 pinfall total in the combined tenpin and Baker format. It marked the second straight regional title for the Crusasders, who rallied from third place during the Baker portion to overtake Salina South and Hutchinson for the title.
 
Five of Buhler’s six team members – seniors Jax Frederick, Cotton Pyles, Trent Sheridan and Gage Warren, and junior Landon Kurtz – were on the Crusader team that finished seventh at state a year ago. At regionals, sophomore Malachi Willis led Buhler with a 660 series and sixth-place individual finish.

 
“I’ve asked them if there is any way we can get a little closer at state going into the Baker,” Wilson said. “Just please. They love Baker, and they hear from me all the time about me bowling at Wichita State in college and how much I loved the Baker format.
 
“Both our boys and girls really do well in it. They love that format and that team aspect of it.”
 
That could bode well for the Crusader boys, who own the state’s top tenpin qualifying team score of 2,873 this season. That’s 44 pins higher than 6A’s best from Washburn Rural and 51 ahead of reigning 5-1A team champion Seaman.
 
Meanwhile, the Buhler girls return to state after finishing third in regionals behind Salina South and Great Bend. Junior Teigan Nielsen, the Crusaders’ top finisher at state a year ago, led them with an eighth-place individual finish and a 555 series. Teammates Kenzie Welch, Emily Duran, Samantha Hulse and Sloane Adkins occupied the 12^th through 15^th spots.
 
“Teigan has always been up there for us, and Sammy and Emily have been to state before,” Wilson said. “They know how tough it is to get back there, so I’m hoping their senior leadership will help the younger girls out.”
 

CLASS 6A
 

GARDEN CITY'S BURNS A CONTENDER AGAIN AFTER RUNNER-UP SHOWING LAST YEAR 

After finishing three pins shy of a state championship last year as a freshman, Garden City’s K.J. Burns had lofty expectations for his sophomore campaign. 

“Coming into the season, I put in a lot of work. I wanted to try to be competitive with myself, really, and see how far I could go,” Burns said. “With all the work I’ve done, the only limit is myself. I just wanted to be at a top level and try to be one of the best bowlers in the state.”

Burns has lived up to those expectations, entering the Class 6A state tournament with the second-highest average in the state at 228, right behind Wichita Trinity senior Brady Longnecker’s 230. 

Burns carries strong momentum into state after putting up back-to-back series over 700 in his last two tournaments, including a 751 to win regionals at West Acres Bowl in Wichita. 

“Regionals, I was kind of just messing with some different bowling balls,” Burns said. “Then really I just moved left and played more of an inside lane. We didn’t get the lanes re-oiled after the girls rolled, so they were pretty burnt up. So I moved left and kept the ball inside and it worked out pretty well for me.”

His season-best series is 782, third highest in the state behind a 793 from Seaman’s Ethan Burns and a 785 from Junction City’s Logan Lindsley. 

“I feel like I’ve improved quite a bit physically and mentally from last year,” Burns said. “I feel like I’ve got a lot more knowledge and know the game a little bit better than how I did last year.”

Burns fired a series of 696 last year at state, getting narrowly edged out for the title by Shawnee Mission East’s Wally Workman, who capped his senior season with a 699.

“Since it was my first tournament, I came in there with an open mind. Whatever happens, happens,” Burns said. “Control what I can control really. I can’t really control if I get a bad break here or there and make a good shot and the pins don’t fall the way I needed to, but I can control my emotions, mentally.”

Burns said the Buffaloes are looking for a better team performance after finishing fourth at state last year. They rolled to a regional team title last week with a score of 3,615. Burns was joined in the top five by teammates Bo Roth (third with a 671) and Karsten Nichols (fifth with a 652). 

“Last year, as a team, we kind of had a little bit of a disappointing performance, we felt like,” Burns said. “Me, Kaden (Strasser) and Garrett (Messenger), we’re motivated (as returners). We’ve got three new varsity members, but I think statistically we’re actually a better team this year, and I think we can make a pretty good run this year if we’re all on like we were at regionals.”

 

OLATHE NORTHWEST BOYS, GIRLS TEAMS BOTH IN POSITION TO BE CONTENDERS AT STATE Olathe Northwest is a bowling school. 

At least, it is right now. 

The Ravens head to state with both the boys and girls teams riding high after regional championship wins last week at West Ridge Lanes in Topeka.

The boys team finished with 3464 score, 38 ahead of host team Washburn Rural in second place. Olathe North rounded out the top three with a score of 3417, 100 points ahead of fourth place Olathe South.

Although it’s senior Tommy Mitchell’s stats that stand out, Ravens assistant head coach Burton Gepford said Mitchell takes turns with fellow seniors Justin Preston and Cam Carlstedt leading the team.

“They might be the best trio in high school bowling,” Gepford said. “They communicate and support one another in and out.”

Mitchell took his turn leading the Ravens during regionals. He bowled a  732 series to take first and stay ahead of Washburn Rural senior Josh Hammons at 717 as the runner-up. Olathe South junior Nate Ebner stormed out to an early lead with a 295 opening game, but ultimately slipped to third place with a 711 final.

Preston gave the Ravens another top-6 performance at regionals, along with Carlstedt and junior Trent Longhofer finishing in the top 20.

Mitchell was the Ravens only top-20 placer at state last year as the team finished in fifth. This year Preston and Carlstedt are consistently helping carry the work load. In fact, Carlstedt actually has the top single-game performance for the Ravens this year with a 299 earlier this season.

But right now, it might all be about Mitchell’s keeping his momentum going.

“Tommy is bowling his best now,” Gepford said. “We are expecting him to continue at state.”

For the girls team, the Ravens won regionals despite a few rough outings heading into that event.

Olathe Northwest had a setback at league, ultimately finishing in third place after the team shot 100 pins below their season average. The Ravens turned things around as they tied for first place with the host team at the Washburn Rural regional, with both teams scoring 2842. Olathe North finished third with a 2688 score.

Junior Skyler Holmes has been the top bowler for the team this year. Holmes currently sits in fourth place for the top season average for all girls bowlers in the state with 200 per game. But the rest of the top five are 5-1A bowlers. Olathe East’s Lauren Leonardi is the closest 6A competitor as her 197 average is tied for sixth.

Gepford said that an injury has prevented Holmes from bowling her best during the league and regional meets.

“She has been fighting a little injury, but is looking forward to being 100% healthy at state,” Gepford said. 

If Holmes is able to deliver closer to her scores earlier in the season, Gepford said the team sees itself as a potential 

“She’s very passionate about bowling,” assistant coach Burton Gepford said. “She is always encouraging and helping other teammates get better. You can see that her finishes at league and at our regional were below her average. She has been fighting a little injury but is looking forward to being 100% healthy for State.”

Both Olathe Northwest teams expect to be in the thick of the team race, hoping for at least a top-three finish to earn a trophy and still believing that a state title remains a reasonable possibility.