The Great Bend High School girls’ bowling team opened up their home lanes with a decisive win on Tuesday afternoon at Walnut Bowl.
The Lady Panthers swept the games against Liberal and Wichita Collegiate, and the Panthers went 8-3 against Liberal in Western Athletic Conference action.
“On the girls’ side, it was a crazy day,” GBHS head coach Mike Perry said. “There was lots of screaming and yelling going on. (Assistant) coach (Jim) Mayberry had the girls firing on all cylinders. It was great.
“On the boys’ side, I thought we competed well. Then we kind of let that third game slip away from us. We struggled in that first game of Baker’s. Then they started to pick things up where we left off from the weekend, and started having fun.”
The GBHS girls were led by senior Miranda Hejny and freshman Allie Brodrick. Both bowlers rolled a 582.
Hejny, who anchored Great Bend in the Baker’s games, knocked down spares in the final frame to help the Lady Panthers edge Liberal 149-147 in Game 2 and 189-188 in Game 3.
“There was that point in the Baker’s games where Miranda had to hit a spare to win it twice, and she did it,” Perry said. “That was just incredible. Once again, you can see what a senior-driven team can do. When the pressure is there, they step up.”
Hejny had the top game, giving her the gold individual medal and Brodrick finished with silver.
“To see a freshman competing with our everything, our rock, Miranda, it was great to see those two battling it out for first and second,” Perry said.
The Panthers were led by Jeff Mietler, who finished with 615 for the individual gold medal.
“Jeff’s the leader, and we were kind of kidding around about it a little bit,” Perry said. “It’s easier being one of the guys instead of being the guy. He’s stepping up into that role for us.
“He is our No. 1 bowler. He competed very well today when things were tough. I always expect a little more out of him and I think he does, too, but we’re happy with where he finished.”
Great Bend’s Matt Black earned the silver medal at 571.
HIGH SCHOOL BOWLING
Tuesday
At Great Bend
Walnut Bowl
BOYS
Team scores
1. Great Bend, 2,798; 2. Liberal, 2,705; 3. Collegiate, 2,054
Great Bend results
Jeff Mietler, 243-187-185—615; Matt Black, 189-213-169—571; Alex Morgan, 160-186-180—526; Hunter Gregg, 159-166-192—517; Kendall Lloyd, 153-157-190—500; Aaron Shumate, 137-166-155—458
Baker’s results
Great Bend, 155-224-169
Liberal, 168-168-154
GIRLS
Team scores
1. Great Bend, 2,784; 2. Liberal, 2,323; 3. Collegiate, 1,757
Great Bend results
Miranda Hejny, 145-193-244—582; Allie Brodrick, 194-223-165—582; Jessica Sterba, 178-183-158—519; Abby Rose, 144-141-214—499; Addie Soukup, 151-197-149—497; Dakota Sanders, 172-108-118—398
Baker’s results
Great Bend, 174-149-189
Liberal, 148-147-188
