Bowling is back

The high school bowling season is just days away, and the Wichita area should expect another great season from local teams.

The City League teams fared well at state a year ago and return many of its top bowlers. Here are some City League teams and bowlers to look for this this season.

On the boys side, Wichita Northwest won league and took home the Class 6A state crown last season and will welcome back a trio of exceptional seniors. Shelby Nero, Cooper Buchholz and Jordan Walker all finished in the top eight individually at state and were big reasons for the team’s 7-1 overall finish.

Also placing well at 6A state last season was Wichita Heights, who finished third. Heights lost much of its team to graduation, and its only returner with state experience will be junior Zach Prather, who placed 49th individually.

Kapaun took third at 5A-1A state and was fourth in City League. The Crusaders lose several top bowlers and only return one player who finished in the top 20 at state in senior Gabe Montemayor. Other notable returning bowlers for Kapaun are James Stephenson and Ryan Vickery, also both seniors.

For the girls, Wichita North is the defending 6A state champion and returns five of its six top bowlers, including individual champion Ally Johnson. North finished tied with Wichita Heights for City League and looks to contend for both the city and state titles again this year.

Heights was runner-up to North at state a year ago and will see much of its talent return as well. Headlining the Falcons’ roster are a pair of seniors. Valerie Connelly finished sixth, and Sarah Anderson placed 11th individually.

In 5A-1A, Bishop Carroll finished third in league and state a year ago. The Golden Eagles went 6-2 in the regular season, but return just one of its top six bowlers. Senior Sara Hansen finished the best on the team in state, placing fifth, and is the lone bowler with state experience on this year’s squad.

The season starts off with a bang this Saturday, Jan. 10, with a big tournament hosted by Bishop Carroll at West Acres Bowl. All of the City League teams will be in attendance, as well as several AVCTL and WAC teams. It should be another good year for local bowling teams.