How much will Tacoma benefit from start-up middle-school girls bowling?
On one hand, longtime coach Ken Richardson knows replacing newly-crowned Class 3A state girls bowling champion Sierra Berry will be almost impossible at Wilson High School.
On the other hand, other promising contributors continue to funnel through the Rams’ system.
As the state championships closed Saturday with 14 games of the Baker team format, the reigning West Central District champion Rams (7,470 pins) placed a distant third behind Evergreen of Vancouver (7,974), which successfully defend its state crown at Narrows Plaza Bowl in University Place.
It wasn’t the serious-contender showing Richardson thought at the beginning of the week, but gave an appreciative nod to those Southwest District powerhouses.
“They are flat-out good,” Richardson said.
It was the Rams’ 10th podium finish (top four) in school history, including reaching that level the past four seasons.
But what will it take for Wilson to close the gap, and win another state title?
There is no clear-cut cornerstone replacement for Berry, although the Rams have three sophomores with two years of experience — Tiffany Benger, Taylor Herbert and Maddie San Soucie.
“Maddie has more power to her game, but the other two are more accurate in their spare shooting,” Richardson said. “And all of them bowl in the offseason.”
What might help push the Rams back to the top of the state standings is what is going on at the middle-school level.
Later this month, the Tacoma Public Schools will hold its inaugural five-week session of girls bowling instruction for all of its member schools at Narrows Plaza. In the sixth week, an all-city tournament will be held.
“Imagine a girl starting in sixth grade and bowling a couple of years before she comes to us,” Richardson said. “It should make all the city programs better.”
Make no mistake, the popularity of this sport is steadily growing around the state. This season, there were approximately 100 schools with girls bowling.
And various schools are proving they can make an immediate impact at the state level. Just look at what has happened at Franklin Pierce High School.
This is the Cardinals’ third year of existence. When it started up in 2016, they had no league. They played an independent schedule.
Last season, Franklin Pierce was one of the founding members of 2A SPSL bowling, and made it to the Class 2A/1A state tournament, placing eighth.
And on Saturday, the Cardinals reached the state podium for the first time with a fourth-place showing (6,727) — well back of Mark Morris, which captured its fourth state championship.
“Our emphasis has shifted from having fun to let’s try and kick some butt,” Cardinals coach Jeff Melvard said. “And our goal this year was to finish in the top three in state. I could not be happier with what the kids have done.”
Bethel placed sixth in 3A girls bowling with 6,697, just ahead of Capital in seventh at 6,518.
Todd Milles: 253-597-8442, @ManyHatsMilles
WIAA STATE GIRLS BOWLING RESULTS at Narrows Plaza, University Place
Class 4A team scoring: Eastmont 7,797, Jefferson 7,369, Rogers 7,267, Walla Walla 6,902.
Class 4A individual champion: Kristina Harris, Rogers (1,236).
Class 3A team scoring: Evergreen of Vancouver 7,974, Hudson’s Bay 7,646, Wilson 7,470, Kelso 7,466.
Class 3A individual champion: Sierra Berry, Wilson (1,250).
Class 2A/1A team scoring: Mark Morris 7,205, Columbia River 7,179, Olympic 6,750, Franklin Pierce 6,727.
Class 2A/1A individual champion: Brooklyn Boudreau, Mark Morris (1,298).
This story was originally published February 3, 2018 at 3:15 PM with the headline "How much will Tacoma benefit from start-up middle-school girls bowling?."