Southeast & Carroll out-strike the competition at GWAL Bowling

Wichita Southeast’s boys bowling team reclaimed their throne atop the Greater Wichita Athletic League after being dethroned by Bishop Carroll last year; however the Golden Eagles still managed to win the girls’ title.

“I think it was really important because my freshman year we took [the GWAL Championship] and last year we fell short…it was good for us to bounce back after last year”, said Derick Holmes of Wichita Southeast.

Wichita Southeast’s 2,601 pins brought home the championship while Wichita Northwest and Bishop Carroll followed closely with 2,538 and 2,521 respectively.

Click here for complete boys results.

Bishop Carroll’s boys squad came into the event undefeated with a 6-0 duals record. They were the top seeds and the favorites.

Derick Holmes and his teammates weren’t buying in.  Southeast’s boys knew they could defeat Carroll; it was something they had done before, albeit as freshman with the help graduating seniors.

“I think it’s just our team atmosphere we’re all team based, not individually based. I think [that] really helped us,” said Holmes.

Southeast placed four bowlers in the top ten of the individual competition including Derick Holmes and Casey Bennett in the top three. Holmes downed 680 pins with his teammate Bennett only 16 pins behind.

Southeast’s coach David Koch spoke candidly about how his team has grown since they last won the GWAL Championship as freshman.

“For those kids that finally recognize what they can do this is great for them, I mean it’s kind of like we worked hard, we got there.”

Koch hopes his team isn’t over confident as the Golden Buffaloes head to their Class 6A regional and says they’ll practice hard and hopefully that will motivate them to do their best during their next competition.

For Bishop Carroll the girls’ competition was a much more successful venture. The Golden Eagles won the championship by more than 300 pins with Kapaun Mt. Carmel and Wichita Southeast coming in second and third respectively.

Carroll’s Anna Bohr won the individual title with 697 pins. The Golden Eagles’ Hollyann Johansen and Maggie Wiggins tied for third with 654 pins each.

Click here to see complete girls results.

When asked about how this sets up Carroll for the postseason Anna Bohr responded modestly.

“This sets us up for the postseason.”

A jubilant Bohr focused on what she did right.

“I made my spares and performed well today”.

Bohr responded to a question about winning state with positive attitude wondering “Why Not?”

Bohr won’t have to wait long because regional bowling is scheduled for February 18-23. Qualifiers move on to State which, for 6A, is March 1, and 5-1A is February 28.