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Panthers' Wahlmeier earns state championship
state bowling
Great Bend's third-place finisher features front row Aliyah Fryberger, Kristy Wittig, Jenna Dean; back row Great Bend head coach David Feldbauer, Emilee Nelson, 5A state champion Kaylin Wahlmeier, Sahara Rziha, assistant coach Allison Meitner.

BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

WICHITA – Everything fell into place at a perfect time for Great Bend state bowling champion Kaylin Wahlmeier.

Wahlmeier was on fire with games of 267, 241 and 244 for a 5A state championship three-game total of 752. Her career high score passed Topeka Seaman's Makenzie Millard (279) after trailing by 12 pins after the first game. Wahlmeier's 241 gained 30 pins on Millard's 211 second game. Wahlmeier finished the job with a 244 game while Millard ended at 207 for a 697 score.

"After that, I didn't know how to react," Wahlmeier said. "I didn't know if I wanted to cry or if I wanted to scream."

Last year's 5A state experience paid big dividends.

"I was happy to come out and not get nervous this year," Wahlmeier said. "I'm really happy with the way I bowled. 

Wahlmeier drew inspiration from teammate Paige Wagner, last year's 5A state runner-up who was sidelined with an injury.

"She inspires me," Wahlmeier said. "We're all pretty sad (with her injury), but we were all glad in order to come to state for her, and for her to come with us."

Great Bend coach David Feldbauer was a tower of wit and wisdom.

"Coach was like, 'Don't look at the scores. Just don't look at the score. Just bowl your game.' That's what I was saying to myself every time."

The Panthers earned the coveted third-place state trophy with their typical clutch Baker performance.

Great Bend started the Baker round in fourth place, but climbed to third with a 787 total (179-188-193-227). Topeka Seaman placed first (3,173) followed by Wichita Carroll (3,144) and Great Bend (3,143). 

The Panthers fired series scores of 767-835 and 754. Wahlmeier was backed up by 18th-place medalist Aliyah Fryberger, 565 (177-205-183) who continued her late-season hot streak. Also competing were 39th Sahara Rziha, 518 (136-211-171); 57th Kristy Wittig, 486 (154-178-154); 61st Jenna Dean, 475 (169-150-156); and 73rd Emilee Nelson, 438 (136-171-131).

BOYS DIVISION – Great Bend's state qualifier Jalen Daniels performed at a high level with a 34thh-place finish at 594 (199-184-211).

Topeka Seaman captured the boys 5A title (3,483) followed by Goddard Eisenhower (3,472) and Wichita Kapaun-Mt. Carmel (3,462). Washington County's Cody Metz was state medalist at 713 (226-257-230) followed by Kapaun Mt. Carmel runner-up Patrick Bloomer at 710 (279-186-245).

5A STATE GIRLS BOWLING

1–TOPEKA SEAMAN–3,173; SERIES 2,411 (842-845-724); BAKER 762 (176-202-211-173) 

2–WICHITA CARROLL–3,144; SERIES 2,383 (813-819-751); BAKER 761 (193-165-200-203) 

3–GREAT BEND–3,143; SERIES 2,356 (767-835-754); BAKER 787 (179-188-193-227) 

1–Kaylin Wahlmeier, 752 (267-241-244); 18–Aliyah Fryberger, 565 (177-205-183); 39–Sahara Rziha, 518 (136-211-171); 57–Kristy Wittig, 486 (154-178-154); 61–Jenna Dean, 475 (169-150-156); 73–Emilee Nelson, 438 (136-171-131)

TOP 20 MEDALISTS–1–Wahlmeier, GB, 752 (267-241-244); 2–Millard, Seaman, 697 (279-211-207); 3–Aviana Ordonez, SS, 693 (204-235-254); 4–Back, Carroll, 641 (191-236-214); 5–Laha, Goddard, 640 (236-205-199); 6–Eastridge, Augusta, 629 (278-184-167); 7–Limon, Carroll, 626 (234-217-175); 8–Phillips, Lansing, 624 (246-186-192); 9–Choura, Eisenhower, 611 (225-224-162); 10–Frees, SS, 610 (157-238-215); 11–Miller, Augusta, 608 (204-203-201); 12–Olivia Fonseca, Miege, 593 (179-230-184); 13–Wood, Topeka West, 593 (196-225-172); 14–Turkin, Seaman, 590 (190-228-172); 15–Surritte, Lansing, 581 (221-176-184); 16–Nielsen, Buhler, 573 (180-170-223); 17–Reno, Miege, 568 (211-203-154); 18–Fryberger, GB, 565 (177-205-183); 19–Pham, Carroll, 561 (207-196-158); 20–Huiett, Buhler, 560 (180-183-197)