Iowa high school bowling 2021-22: Area teams, players to watch

The 2021-22 Iowa high school bowling season starts this week.

Here are the Gazette area girls’ and boys’ teams and individuals to watch this season.

Girls’ teams to watch

Cedar Rapids Jefferson — State runner-up in Class 3A in 2021, the J-Hawks will need to replace former state champion Anna Warkel. But they return four starters, including defending champ junior Savannah Edmonds and seniors Natalie Prohaska, Emma Hindt and Caitlyn Rawson.

Cedar Rapids Xavier — A non-state qualifier in Class 2A last season after an eighth-place finish in 2020, the Saints attempt to return to Waterloo led by sophomores Miranda Nolte and Jaden Blackwell along with juniors Evelyn Howard and Yulia Karelina.

Vinton-Shellsburg — The Vikings finished fourth in Class 1A in 2021 and need to replace state champion Christina Harrelson. But they have seniors Jozee White and Anna Becker returning. along with sophomore Tori Elwick.

Girls’ bowlers to watch

Savannah Edmonds, jr., Cedar Rapids Jefferson — The defending state champion collected the crown with a (225-246) 471 as a sophomore and will now look to help her teammates take home the team crown as a junior.

Natalie Prohaska, sr., Cedar Rapids Jefferson — A year ago she had the third-best showing for the J-Hawks at state. She also was the ninth-best in Class 3A with her (189-233) 422.

Britney Russell, sr., Iowa City High — After throwing back-to-back 187s at last year's meet, good for 22nd place, Russell returns with two other seniors (Elyse Rios and Shaylin Brown) and two sophomores (Kendra Schwarting and Makayla Saylor), making the Little Hawks a tough matchup for the rest of Class 3A.

Gracey Swanson, sr., Marion — Already committed to continue her bowling career at Coe, Swanson will try to lead the Wolves to a state berth with new coach/former Mount Mercy bowler Ashley Bys at the helm.

Jozee White, sr., Vinton-Shellsburg — Not only did White finish 12th overall at last year's meet, only five of those throwing better than her return. A top-five finish is very attainable and a state title possible.

Boys’ teams to watch

Cedar Rapids Kennedy — The Cougars finished sixth in Class 3A at last year’s state meet and return all six members, including seniors Carson Musil and Dakota Harris. Juniors Alex Hume, Jaxon Robinson and Lucas Dolphin also are back, along with sophomore Cayden Foye.

Cedar Rapids Xavier — Third at state in Class 2A last season, the Saints have two seniors in Justin Fulton and Justin Trcka, along with junior Jacob Sires back from a squad that fell just two pins shy of a runner-up finish at state.

Vinton-Shellsburg — Although the Vikings, seventh last season, lost three seniors from their seventh-place finish in 2021, they return a solid core with senior Riley Richart, junior Alex Funk and sophomore Parker Arnold.

Boys’ bowlers to watch

Lucas Dolphin, jr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy — Just a sophomore last season when he finished fourth at the state meet with a (225-234) 459, Dolphin will anchor a Cougars team that finished sixth as a team.

Justin Fulton, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier — The top throwing Saint from last year’s state tournament returns after tossing a (230-187) 417, good for 17th place. Ten of the bowlers who bested him last year have now graduated.

Teegan Cross, so., Independence — The highest scoring freshman a year ago at the state tournament with a (215-180) 395.

Riley Richart, sr., Vinton-Shellsburg — Finishing just outside of the top 10 with a (212-236) 448, good for 13th place in Class 1A a year ago, Richart will be the elder Viking.

Easton Lee, sr., Monticello — After losing four seniors to graduation, Lee remains as the new leader after throwing a team-best (231-211) 442 during the Panthers' fourth-place finish at state.