The Greenwood High School bowling teams competed last week for the first time in the Class 6A post-season, taking part in the 7A/6A West conference tournament held at Lowell, and the 6A state tournament played at Bowling World lanes in Fort Smith.
The GHS girls qualified for the state tournament, while the boys came missed out by about 100 pins. Both teams are coached by Randy Gardner, who also serves as the Bulldogs’ head baseball coach.
On Thursday, February 7th, both Greenwood teams traveled to Lowell, located between Springdale and Rogers in Northwest Arkansas. The conference tournament was held at Fast Lane Entertainment, and only the top five teams qualified to move on to the state tournament, plus the top six individual bowlers who were not members of a qualifying team.
The Lady Bulldogs made the cut, finishing third overall behind Bentonville and Mountain Home. Greenwood senior Lacey Leavell finished 3rd overall with a series score of 542, or just over a 180 average for three games. Fellow senior Stephanie Brown was 6th with a 511 series and 170 average, while senior Paige Pschier finished 12th at 461 with a 154 average.
The GHS boys placed 6th overall, and missed qualifying for state by 104 pins. Junior Grayson Goodwin (209 average) and sophomore Matt Sanders (197 average) qualified for state as individuals with series scores of 626 and 592, respectively. Junior Ryan Hinman and freshman David Whatcott were alternates, both scoring 556, for a 185 average.
At the state tournament in Fort Smith, the Lady Bulldogs finished 7th overall against all other qualifying 7A/6A schools. Stephanie Brown and Paige Pschier were both named to the all-state squad. Matt Sanders finished 3rd overall among all boys.
“I was very proud of Matt for accomplishing 3rd [place] in the state as a sophomore,” said Coach Gardner. “Paige and Stephanie [also] had very good days. We just couldn't string together enough strikes and spares to get our totals into contention,” said the coach.