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Great Bend bowlers head to regionals
jordan black bowling
Jordan Black

By JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

The Great Bend girls, last year’s Class 5A state bowling runner-up, will join the Great Bend boys in regional action at Salina’s All-Star Lanes Thursday. The top three boys and girls teams and six individuals qualify for the Class 5A state meet.
Salina South’s girls are seeded first and Great Bend second. The Wichita Heights are seeded first followed by Salina South and Great Bend. Teams play three regular games and four Baker-style games. Girls start rolling at 10 a.m.
“It’s a lot more fun when your whole team qualifies for state because that’s how we play every week,” said Great Bend coach Mike Perry.
Jordan Vsetecka placed sixth (619) and Western Athletic Conference champion Allie Brodrick placed ninth (606) at state last year. Kylynn Keeler placed 33rd (532) and Elsi Miller finished 36th (524) at state. State tournament veteran McKenzy Black is sidelined with an illness and a concussion.
Great Bend’s boys won the WAC title and the Panther girls were runner-up to Garden City.
Jordan Black (212) was WAC Bowler of the Year and Jacob Holden (207), Blake Sheets (192), A.J. Roberts (189) and Brodie Owens (180) earned All-WAC honors. Roberts was WAC Tournament runner-up (656) followed by Sheets (641), Holden (607) and Black (605).
Brodrick (190) was WAC Bowler of the Year followed by Kylynn Keeler (175), Jordan Vstescka (173), Elsi Miller (162) and Lexi Fox (155). Keeler was WAC Tournament runner-up (580) followed by Brodrick (557) and Miller (550).
Great Bend coach Perry is confident and optimistic.
“Our top bowlers have carried us all year long,” Perry said. “I’m cautiously optimistic. In my heart, I feel good. I’m worried about our team. If we’re on track, we’ll be fine.”
Perry said the team has enjoyed a strong season.
“We’ve had a good week of practice and they are relaxed, but focused,” he said. “They know what’s at stake. We wasnt to minimize our mistakes and do things correctly.”
Both Great Bend bowling teams have qualified for state on several occasions.

5A REGIONAL TEAMS—Wichita Heights, Great Bend, Salina South, Newton, Andover High, Andover Central, Ell-Saline, Buhler, McPherson, Salina Central, Salina Sacred Heart, Wichita Trinity, Holcomb

GREAT BEND BOYS
Jordan Black
Jacob Holden
Blake Sheets
A.J. Roberts
Brodie Owens
Kameron Keener

GREAT BEND GIRLS
Allie Brodrick
Kylynn Keeler
Jordan Vsetecka
Elsi Miller
Lexi Fox
Jessica Disque