Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Kylie Cook poised to carry momentum into high school bowling season

CEDAR RAPIDS — Cedar Rapids Prairie senior Kylie Cook isn’t easing into another bowling season.

She’s already in full stride.

Fresh off a Nebraska Youth Tour title and a year-round slate of tournaments, Cook enters the Iowa high school bowling season ready to build on her success as competition opens this week.

Cook was crowned Nebraska Youth Tour U18 girls’ champion in Grand Island on Nov. 2. It was one of several tournaments she participated in during her “offseason.”

“I bowl all year long. It doesn't ever stop,” Cook said. “We're traveling everywhere, practicing nonstop, learning more as we go, seeing failure and success at tournaments.”

“Everybody always asks us, ‘Are you excited for bowling season to start?’” Cook’s mother, Danielle Boston, said. “We kind of chuckle because our season never ends. And I’m OK with it. We road trip, and off we go.

“She puts her heart and soul into it. She’s known since she was 3 years old that she wanted to bowl.”

Cook is a three-time Junior Gold national qualifier (2024-26). For 13 straight years, she’s qualified for the Pepsi Youth Championships (now the United States Bowling Congress Youth Scratch Championships). In addition to Iowa and Nebraska, she’s competed in tournaments across Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin.

“I really enjoyed going to Junior Gold,” Cook said. “With it being national, you get to see all the girls on Junior Team USA and experience the college coaches. You get to see all the talent and how well your talent compares.”

Last season, Cook was a Class 3A first-team all-state selection and Metro Athlete of the Year. She’s a two-time state tournament qualifier (2024-25) and took first in her state qualifying meet last season.

“She’s got quite the résumé,” Prairie Coach Tracy Venditti said. “Kylie has grown, not only as a bowler, but as a leader. She puts in the effort, and when we’re in practice, she leads by example. She pays attention. She executes.

“When I need someone to connect with one of the younger bowlers, she steps up.”

Cook headlines a Prairie squad that lost two seniors from last season’s team, which finished third at its state qualifier. Sophomores Grace Reed, Izabel Tuecke and Shayla Parker return for the Hawks.

“We have a very eclectic roster this year,” Venditti said. “We’ve grown our roster, but a lot of them are fairly new to the bowling world. I enjoy that because hopefully you can spark someone to bowl. It’s a game for life.”

Cook is excited for the opportunity to make a positive impact on her younger teammates.

“My approach is to break things down for them like how I was taught,” Cook said. “The basics of throwing the ball — your steps, your approach, keeping it on the lanes, where to look and staying positive.

“I'm trying to teach them that and help them have fun at practice.”

Prairie opens its season Friday at Cadillac XBC against Waterloo West.

GIRLS’ BOWLING 2025-26

Girls’ teams to watch

Cedar Rapids Kennedy — In February, Kennedy won its first state championship in program history, capturing the Class 3A crown. The Cougars return six of their top seven bowlers (Daisy Slater, Kiera Foye, Emma Deeds, Elaina Chesmore, Kaiya Gralund and Lily Bader).

Decorah — The Vikings finished third in the Class 2A state tournament, improving from a fifth-place finish in 2024. With four of Decorah’s five top bowlers (Karlie Einck, Marri Feuerhelm, Jasera Tweten and Rylee Averhoff) back, the Vikings hope to take another step forward.

Vinton-Shellsburg — As a team, Vinton-Shellsburg finished with the third highest per-game average in Class 1A last season and placed fifth at state. The Vikings lose top scorers Tori Richart and Kylee Kirchner, but return four bowlers who averaged better than 153 per game (Kadee Kirchner, Scarlett Petrezelka-Gage, Oliviah Doty and Olivia McDaniel).

Girls’ players to watch

Karlie Einck, sr., Decorah — Einck was a first-team all-state selection after posting the highest three-game series in the Class 2A individual tournament. She was a key contributor on Decorah’s run to a third-place finish at state.

Kylie Cook, sr., Cedar Rapids Prairie — Cook had Class 3A’s sixth-highest per game average at 195. She finished 10th individually in the state tournament and was a first-team all-state selection.

Daisy Slater, sr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy— A second-team all-stater, Slater had Class 3A’s 12th-highest average at 188 per game and was a key member of the Cougars’ team title.