Living on the edge

The Free State High boys bowling team has made an appearance in the Kansas Class 6A state tournament every year since the Kansas State High School Athletics Association re-introduced bowling as part of its athletic activities in 2005.

Getting there, however, has been an adventure.

Each year the Firebirds have been the last team to qualify in their regional assignment, with this year’s squad finishing third last Saturday at Gage North Bowl in Topeka.

The best finish at state for any of those FSHS boys teams was a second-place finish in last year’s competition at Royal Crest Lanes in Lawrence.

State-bound siblings

Qualifying for the Kansas Class 6A state bowling tournament has basically become a given for Lawrence High’s Jessica Wyatt and her younger brother Ben Wyatt.

Jessica made it a perfect 4-for-4 in qualifying for state in her bowling career for the Lions. The LHS senior was a member of the LHS girls squad that qualified for the state competition that will take place Saturday at Thunderbird Lanes in Wichita.

Her sophomore brother continues to match his older sister, as he was the only LHS boys bowler to qualify this year.

Last year, the younger Wyatt attended state at Royal Crest Lanes in Lawrence and finished in fourth place.

“We’re happy that Jessica’s made it to state all four years of high school and I’m happy that I’ve made it my first two years,” Ben Wyatt said. “So I’m just trying to keep the tradition going.”

Twins ink with WSU

Lawrence High seniors and twin sisters Jennifer Taylor and Kristina Taylor recently signed national letters of intent to run cross country at Witchita State University.

One bad Bear

Oskaloosa’s Nicole Rockhold turned in quite a performance for the Bears, last week. The 5-foot-9 guard had a total of 67 points in three games, including a career-high of 27 in a win over Wathena. She also added 25 points in a game against Pleasant Ridge.

In addition to the big-time point totals, Rockhold added 19 rebounds, 13 assists and 10 steals in three games for the Bears, who wrapped up the Delaware Valley League title with a 9-1 league record.

Memorable run

The Tonganoxie High wrestling team grabbed three medals at last weekend’s state tournament and turned in the best showing in school history.

Seniors Travis Adcox (140 pounds, 4th place) and Cameron Adcox (285, 6th) and junior Matt Brock (130, 4th), did most of the damage for the Chieftains, who took 15th place with 36.5 points.

Stat rats

Five Lawrence High or Free State players currently sit in the top 10 of four offensive categories in the Sunflower League.

LHS sophomore Cassie Potter is ninth in assists (3 per game) and 10th in steals (2.5).

LHS sisters Taylor Bird (3.5) and Danielle Bird (3.4) are fourth and fifth, respectively, in assists.

Free State’s Ashli Hill is sixth in rebounds per game (7) and LHS junior Tania Jackson is right behind her in eighth at 6.6.