Defending boys’ bowling champion Vinton-Shellsburg looks to stay on the same page

Togetherness.

That’s been the focus for the Vinton-Shellsburg boys’ bowling team since it was crowned Class 1A state champion in February.

“Bowling is one of those sports where coaches don't really have a lot of contact with the players over the offseason,” Vinton-Shellsburg Coach Amber Pattee said. “At the end of the season, I talked to them about getting together, not having a coach involved, just the team. It doesn't matter if you're going bowling or just going to the movies. Get together and become one team again.

“That's really what I pushed this offseason.”

It’s a fitting theme for a group returning seven of its top eight bowlers from last year, including senior Byron Christianson, who finished third individually at state.

“We all do a bowling league together every Saturday morning,” Christianson said. “We’re all friends outside of here. We always have a good time together and focus on being in the right mindset when it’s time.”

“Byron really became my biggest leader at the end of last season,” Pattee said. “Everybody looked to him for advice and looked to him if things were going wrong. He really brought the team together.”

The 2024-25 Vikings posted the second-highest per-match average in 1A (2,035) and the third-highest baker game average (202).

Entering bracket play at the state tournament on Feb. 26 as the No. 2 seed, Vinton-Shellsburg swept Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn, 3-0, in the semifinals before downing fourth-seeded Camanche, 3-1, for the title.

Another key contributor in that run was Tate Richart, who delivered a standout freshman season averaging 224 per game — good for fourth in 1A and first in the Wamac. He finished sixth individually at state.

“Tate just goes with the flow,” Pattee said. “Whatever the team decides to do, he’s going to go with it. Love that kid to death. He is just easygoing and continues to push his game.”

The Vikings also return seniors Cal Lessig and Hayden Henkle, juniors Jakob Becker and Cylas Kettler and sophomore Axel Rodman.

“Our key, I feel, is we don't have a lot of one class,” Pattee said. “So, for me, I think the rotation of having a lot of different levels of maturity on the team is what helps with our continued success.

“We have some great leaders. We had great leaders last year, which is good because I'm bringing those individuals back.”

Vinton-Shellsburg’s state title defense begins on Dec. 4 with a home meet against Benton Community.

“I really think the success is going to come as long as they can stay a team,” Pattee said. “All of them have the bowling skill. They all have such strong bowling talent. As long as they can be a team, I don't doubt that they can continue with that success.”

“It comes down to how the team moves,” Christianson said. “How we all communicate with each other, how the vibes are while bowling — because it seems like once we're all on the same page and hyping each other up, we're just dialed in and not missing.”

BOYS’ BOWLING 2025-26

Teams to watch

Cedar Rapids Jefferson — The J-Hawks averaged Class 3A’s highest score per match last season (2,908) and return their top five bowlers. All five posted averages of 193 or better in 2024-25.

Decorah — The Vikings were runners-up last season, falling to Lewis Central in the Class 2A state title match. Six of Decorah’s top seven performers are back, four of whom averaged 201 or better per game in 2024-25.

Vinton-Shellsburg — Class 1A’s defending state champions bring back seven of their top eight bowlers. Vinton-Shellsburg recorded the second-highest team average at 3,025.

Players to watch

Kinnick Robinson, soph., Cedar Rapids Kennedy — Robinson had a phenomenal freshman season for the Cougars, leading the team with a 222 average and qualifying individually for the state tournament.

Cain Monreal-Rice, sr., Decorah — Monreal-Rice posted the ninth highest per-game average in Class 2A last season (219) and was instrumental in the Vikings’ run to a second-place team finish at state.

Bryon Christianson, sr., and Tate Richart, soph., Vinton-Shellsburg — Christianson and Richart placed third and sixth, respectively, at last year’s state tournament. They return as the top two bowlers from the Vikings’ 2024-25 state title team.