WICHITA — The Great Bend High School boys’ bowling team claimed a Class 5-1A state title on Thursday afternoon at Northrock Lanes.
The Panthers, who finished with a total of 2,695 pins for the first bowling title in school history, were led by Daniel Herrman, who claimed an individual state title with a series of 759.
“That was a surprise, for us and for Danny,” GBHS head coach Mike Perry said. “Afterward, (assistant coach) Jim (Mayberry) and I knew he’d won it, and he came up and asked, ‘Am I top 5?’
“We didn’t tell him until they announced his name. He’s been working real hard at practice. I couldn’t be prouder of him.”
Herrman bowled games of 270, 256 and 233 to cap his senior season with a state crown.
“It feels pretty good,” Herrman said. “It’s an awesome honor to get it. I knew I would get in the top 10, but I was surprised. I don’t really remember walking up there (to accept the award).”
Senior Dakota Conaway, who was a regional champion on Saturday at Walnut Bowl, was the Panthers’ No. 2 bowler at 635 winning a medal for 18th place. Sophomore Jeff Meitler, who was regional runner-up, finished right behind him for a medal at 634, taking 19th place.
“After Game 1, we were down about 120 pins, and after the second game, we were up about 60,” Perry said. “We knew we had to take it frame-by-frame. After that second game, we let them look at the score one time and that was it.”
Goddard-Eisenhower, which finished second at 2,582, started the day with a 998 series, but Great Bend rolled a 922 in the second series to overtake it.
“We had great leadership from our seniors,” Perry said, “and really Meitler, too. He’s a sophomore, but he’d been here before.
“They all knew what they needed to do, and they were able to come back and win it.”
The Lady Panthers finished sixth overall at 2,153.
“We bowled our highest ever in Game 1 at 777,” Perry said of the girls’ team. “We had a tough second game, but they fought back in the third. I really couldn’t be prouder of them, either.
“They kept their composure and kept their spirits up. They had fun.”
Miranda Hejny led the Lady Panthers with a 584 series. She took 20th for a medal.

                                                  — Kevin Price

HIGH SCHOOL BOWLING
Class 5-1A state tournament

At Wichita
Northrock Lanes

Thursday

BOYS

Team scores
    1. Great Bend, 875-922-898 — 2,695; 2. Goddard-Eisenhower, 998-732-852 — 2,582; 3. Bishop Carroll, 767-817-991 — 2,575; 4. Lansing, 788-897-889 — 2,574; 5. Salina-Sacred Heart, 848-870-814 — 2,532; 6. Shawnee Mission South, 689-900-913 — 2,502; 7. Turner, 783-871-834 — 2,488; 8. Shawnee Mill Valley, 845-744-786 — 2,375

Great Bend results
    1. Daniel Herrman, 270-256-233 — 759; 18. Dakota Conaway, 217-218-200 — 635; 19. Jeff Meitler, 180-194-260 — 634; Kolt Ramey, 205-179-205 — 589; Mark Lang, 183-213-182 — 578; Eric Ruiz, 174-235-147 — 556

GIRLS

Team scores
    1. Augusta, 861-875-810 — 2,546; 2. Bishop Carroll, 817-860-813 — 2,490; 3. Buhler, 849-762-832 — 2,443; 4. Shawnee Heights, 796-846-717 — 2,359; 5. Emporia, 663-769-763 — 2,195; 6. Great Bend, 777-672-704 — 2,153; 7. Turner, 693-714-668 — 2,075; 8. Lansing, 656-721-632 — 2,009

Great Bend results
    20. Miranda Hejny, 213-174-197 — 584; Jessica Sterba, 189-190-175 — 554; Abi Rose, 194-139-188 — 521; Kelli Kirmer, 181-147-144 — 472; Sterling McAllister, 166-144-136 — 446; Alex Eye, 124-161-133 — 418