SALINA — Things did not work out as planned for the Great Bend High School bowling teams.
Neither team qualified for the Class 5-1A state tournament, as the girls’ team finished third and the boys’ team finished fifth.
“I was really proud of how both teams competed,” GBHS head coach Mike Perry said. “The effort was there. They competed very well, we just got beat.”
With competing as a team no longer an option, Great Bend was still able to qualify individuals.
Kendall Lloyd rolled a 666 series to finish seventh overall.
The Lady Panthers qualified four individuals — Miranda Hejny, Jessica Sterba, Allie Brodrick and Abby Rose.
“You need five for a full team,” Perry said, “and Addie Soukup was only six pins from qualifying, which is crazy that we almost had five girls in individually.
“We talked about it already. Our goal is to finish in the top 3 even though we only have four bowlers.”
Hejny finished in fourth place with a series of 600. She bowled games of 204, 193 and 203.
Sterba finished at 571 for eighth place, Brodrick rolled a 562 for ninth place and Rose recorded a 538 series.
The Lady Panthers combined for a series of 2,322.
“Heading into the final game, we were 50 pins out of first place and 48 pints away from second place,” Perry said. “McPherson had a couple girls in the 240 range, and Wichita Heights actually had a girl bowl a 300 to beat us.”
Lloyd led the Panthers with games of 215, 226 and 225.
Great Bend’s boys bowled a combined series of 2,501. Salina-Sacred Heart finished in first place and McPherson finished in second.

                        — Kevin Price

HIGH SCHOOL BOWLING
Class 5-1A regional tournament

Thursday

At Salina

GIRLS

Great Bend results
Miranda Hejny 204-193-203 — 600; Jessica Sterba 205-168-200 — 571; Allie Brodrick 203-189-170 — 562; Abby Rose 184-198-156 — 538; Addie Soukup 165-170-185 — 520; Dakota Sanders 137-190-144 — 471

BOYS

Great Bend results
Kendall Lloyd 215-226-225 — 666; Alex Morgan 198-226-183 — 607; Jeff Mietler 187-225-194 — 606; Kevin Coleman 189-187-221 — 597; Hunter Gregg 207-192-160 — 559; Matt Black 131-180-175 — 486