Prairie boys’ bowling embraces ‘alley rat’ designation

CEDAR RAPIS — The word “rat” rarely carries a positive connotation.

However, for the Cedar Rapids Prairie boys’ bowling team, it’s a term of endearment.

“I like to call them ‘bowling alley rats,’” Prairie Coach Dan Grady said. “All they want to do is be in a bowling alley, practicing. They’re willing to do whatever it takes to get better. I’ve got seven or eight of them right now.”

The Hawks, Class 3A’s leader in match average (3,171) and baker game (209) average, have embraced the moniker as they set their sights on a deep postseason run.

“Yeah, we’re 100 percent bowling (alley) rats,” Prairie’s top bowler, Peyton Guyer, said with a chuckle. “We spend a lot of time in the alley, just trying to get everything figured out so we can throw our best when it matters most.”

That time comes Tuesday when the Hawks compete in their state qualifying meet at Colonial Lanes in Iowa City. Prairie will go against Bettendorf, Davenport Central, Davenport North, Davenport West, Iowa City High, Iowa City West and Pleasant Valley, with a second consecutive trip to the state tournament on the line.

“The sky’s the limit for this group,” Grady said. “I expect to win the state tournament. I hate to say it because it sounds weird; I just think these kids have every opportunity in the world to do that.”

The Hawks have proved Grady’s confidence is well-founded.

On Jan. 10, Prairie set a Mississippi Valley Conference record for highest team total match in a 3,535-3,277 shootout win over Dubuque Hempstead at Cedar Creek Lanes in Cedar Rapids.

“Everyone bowled really well,” Guyer said. “That was probably one of the best meets in Iowa. It was crazy that day.”

A two-time first-team all-state selection and MVC Athlete of the Year, Guyer is averaging 224 per game this season, the fourth-best mark in 3A. He leads a deep, connected Hawks squad with eight bowlers averaging 197 or better.

“It starts with Peyton; he’s our leader, our main force,” Grady said. “I have great senior leadership and an extremely experienced team. We go seven, eight deep — and this group, they’re good friends. You can always find them together.”

Fellow seniors Wyatt Craig, Michael Griffioen and Nathan Lockhart have been key contributors this year and throughout their time with the program. Nathan Nederhiser, Dalton LeRoy, Tharen Garringer and Mason Stone also have made significant impacts.

“As a group, we hang out once or twice a week outside of bowling,” Guyer said. “It’s a big friendship, and that helps us stay in each other’s minds and lift each other up when we need it.”

After finishing fifth at state last year, the Hawks are hungry for more.

“Placing fifth, it was kind of a letdown,” Guyer said. “This year, I feel like we have a lot more potential. We returned most of our people, and I think we’ve gotten better and grown together.”

“We have a couple things to prove,” Grady said. “The opportunity is there, and I know my kids can do it. It’s just a matter of putting it all together and we will. I have faith in them.”