Taking second place at the Class 5-1A State Bowling Tournament as an individual is an achievement in itself.
For Miranda Hejny, it’s just another accomplishment she can add to her impressive resume.
As a senior at Great Bend High School, Hejny has rolled her last game as a prep bowler, but with the accolades under her belt, she isn’t done yet.
Starting with the most recent highlight, a 678 series at the 5-1A State Tournament.
“I was very grateful that I took second place,” Hejny said, “but it was a little disappointing that I was only five pins away from first.
“I guess everything ends up the way it’s supposed to, though.”
Hejny bowled games of 188, 211 and 279.
The final game went down in the Great Bend High School record books one of three she locked down this season.
“I broke one of the school records at state, so it was a good way to end my high school career,” Hejny said.
Hejny also has the highest season average (206) and highest series (716) in school history.
She said she’d only do one thing different if she could go back to being a freshman.
“If I could go back and do it all over again, I’d probably just try to not rush all the time,” Hejny said. “I feel thankful and blessed to have been able to play with our team.”
As a freshman, Hejny finished 18th at the state tournament. She followed that up with a third-place performance at the state.
As a junior, Hejny finished in 20th place to narrowly earn a medal before rebounding for her second-place finish this season.
“I learned that state is kind of a reward,” Hejny said. “It’s a reward for doing well during the regular season. State is extra, a bonus, so there’s no need to be too nervous.
“It’s always good to be a little nervous, but there’s no reason to be so nervous you don’t enjoy it.”
Along with all of that, Hejny was part of an all-state team in 2012-14. She was the Western Athletic Conference MVP in 2011, 2013-14 and was a first-team All-WAC selection all four years.
So what’s next?
“I know for sure that I’ll be going to college to bowl,” Hejny said. “I just don’t know where yet. I’ve been looking at Baker or Newman.”