Wichita State, Newman both compete in club bowling’s national tournament
Only one city in the country had two men’s bowling teams that qualified for the Intercollegiate Team Championships this season.
Wichita’s reputation as a bowling power is as strong as ever, as Wichita State and Newman recently competed for the national crown in Las Vegas this past weekend.
The WSU men, coached by Rick Steelsmith, advanced to the Saturday televised final, but came up short in their pursuit of a record 14th national championship in a 3-0 loss to Wisconsin-Whitewater in a best-of-5 Baker match.
After racking up wins over McKendree, Pikeville and Marian (twice), the Shockers came up just short against Whitewater in the final. WSU’s select roster this season included Garrett Andrus, Brandon Bonta, Brandon Caruso, Evan Dahlinghaus, Josh Hammons, Trae Henrichsmeyer, Zachary Leshikar, Braden Mallasch, Spencer Robarge, Carter Street, Jacob White and Jackson Wigington.
Robarge (No. 1), Mallasch (No. 2) and Bonta (No. 7) all qualified for the Intercollegiate Singles Championship. While Bonta lost in the second round, Robarge and Mallasch both reached the quarterfinals before being eliminated.
Meanwhile, Newman coach Billy Murphy led both the men and women programs to the national tournament. The Jets finished 0-2 in the men’s tournament, while the women’s team advanced in the winner’s bracket and finished with a 2-2 record.
Newman is littered with Wichita-area bowlers on its rosters. The men’s team includes Silas Limes (Heights), Brady Longenecker (Trinity Academy), Neil Scarberry (Derby), Connor Jahn (Trinity Academy), Blake Albers (Bishop Carroll) and Colby Hedden (Derby); meanwhile, the women’s roster features Paighton Crumley (Andover Central), Kensley Morris (Eisenhower), Olyvia Choura (Eisenhower), Kassidy Miller (Augusta), Allie Gentry (Campus) and Morgan Henning (Derby).
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