Wichita East girls win 6A bowling title

The Wichita East High School girls claimed their third bowling trophy in three years on Friday, March 1, but this one was different. It proclaimed that the Aces were the Class 6A state champions.

After placing second in 2011 and third in 2012, East earned the state title Friday with a team score of 2,345. The Aces, who won at Northrock Lanes in Wichita, edged Campus, which compiled 2,319. Wichita Heights was third with 2,266.

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“It’s bittersweet because the first (place) is there but I have to say goodbye to three girls,” said a tearful Teresa Hall, East’s 7th-year coach.

Three of the bowlers are seniors, including top finisher Ashley Engram, who took third with 648. Hall has coached Engram since the senior was a 3-year-old and a youth league bowler.

Olathe Northwest sophomore Mackenzie Saulnier won the state crown with 707, and Maize junior Ariana Perez was second with 663. Maize claimed the team title last season, but Perez was the Eagles’ only state qualifier this year.

East led all teams in the standings after Game 1 on Friday, but Campus had overtaken the Aces after the second game. East trailed Campus 1,608-1,559.

“I had to stay positive and they had to stay positive,” Hall said of her squad.

East rallied to edge Campus for the championship. Hall said it was important for the girls to bowl as a team and pick up spares.

“I guess, today, strikes and spares won the title,” Hall added.

Saulnier nearly achieved a perfect game in the second contest, but a heartbreaking 10th frame denied her the honor. She left two pins standing after her first attempt in the final frame.

“I was pretty calm throughout the whole game,” she recalled. “It didn’t really affect me.”

Although the perfect game did not materialize, her performance was good enough to propel her from sixth place to first. She maintained her lead in the last game.

Saulnier has been a bowler for about 12 years because the sport is a family tradition. She described this week as the best week of her life. She also secured a regional championship Monday, when she bowled an 804 – her career high.

“I don’t think anything could top this,” said Saulnier.

Last year’s winner, Courtney Hill of Campus, graduated. Saulnier has a chance to defend her title next season. She was savoring her status as state champion late Friday morning, but the reality was still sinking in.

“I’ve always imagined it,” said Saulnier. “I’ve always wondered what it would feel like, but I never thought I’d make it.”