State Bowling consists of two different portions since the new format was introduced in 2022. All 32 3A bowling programs are split into four different sub-state regions around the state. Bowling alleys all over the state bid to host one of these regions, but just a few are chosen. The four hosts this season were Bowlarama in Des Moines, Colonial Lanes in Iowa City, Champion Bowl in Ottumwa and Wayward Social in Marshalltown.
Waterloo West was chosen to bowl at Wayward Social for their chance at a State tournament bid. The day starts off with the team portion, when all eight teams in the East Region bowl 15 total baker games. The two teams with the highest totals after that move onto bowl in Waterloo at State. After an hour break, the regions have all the bowlers from each team bowl three Individual games. All 48 bowlers get the chance at qualifying for state, but just eight from each region make it. The top eight highest scores after the three games also get to punch their ticket to bowl in the State Tournament in Waterloo. This year, the Wahawks punched their ticket by getting second in Marshalltown just behind Cedar Rapids Kennedy. Junior Natalie Brown, alongside Sophomores Lexi Peverill and Megan Sommerfelt, also qualified to bowl in the Individual State portion.
The girls bowling team stands around each other listening in to coaches Brandon Steen and Ken Ruddy for a team huddle at the start of the Team Championships. The coaches enjoy doing these things to help keep the teams head in a good space, as well as reminding them that they are doing okay and things will be “just fine,” which is constantly referenced by Coach Steen.
Sophomore Lexi Peverill got to participate in both team and individual state her first two years, setting high expectations for herself. “Last year, I did not have expectations for myself with being new, but this year it seemed like I struggled dealing with not always meeting my goals.” State Peverill. Peverill also discussed how much she enjoyed bowling with this year’s team, sharing, “Although my expectations of myself were not always high, I really enjoyed being a part of this team and having the opportunity to bowl at state again.”
During a baker game, the girls will hold up a three after rolling three consecutive strikes in a row. After every strike, the team will do a chant correlating with how many strikes in a row they have. Natalie Brown was asked about her favorite chant and shared, “When we have four strikes in a row, the girl who rolled the strike yells ‘where are we going’ then the rest of the team shouts ‘four queens’ which comes on our fourth strike.”
Sophomore Megan Sommerfelt was excited after throwing her fifth strike in seven frames to start off the Individual State Tournament. Megan was the alternate last year for the Wahawks, but this year made strides forward to be a contributing piece on the veteran-led team. Sommerfelt shares, “With half our team being seniors, it was an emotional year, but we tried our best and had a lot of fun one last time as a team.”
The girls team stands together in one last huddle before beginning bracket play at the Team State Championship. Senior Maya Knight had just started bowling her sophomore year and feels like the girls bowling team is more than just a team, it is a family. “This season has been the best season for me because the coherency of the team was exceptional and better than others, so it really felt like I could always trust my teammates to get the job done. Although we didn’t win state, I am still very proud and excited to have been a part of this team that still achieved a lot of great things.”
Senior Macy Smedley was emotional following her last time putting on a West High jersey. After a championship-winning career, it is safe to say she had a career to remember. Smedley states, “State was a bittersweet day knowing it was my last time as a high school bowler. I had nothing but high hopes for how our team would perform, and it felt like everything came together, although it didn’t end how we wanted.”
