Iowa high school bowling 2022-23: Gazette area teams and bowlers to watch

Here are some Gazette area teams and bowlers to watch entering the 2022-23 Iowa high school bowling season.

Girls’ teams to watch

Iowa City High — The Little Hawks advanced to the 3A state quarterfinals last year after finishing first in their state-qualifying meet. Last year’s pins leader, Makayla Saylor, returns to the fold for the Little Hawks.

Linn-Mar — The Lions made the 3A state quarterfinal round before being defeated by Dubuque Senior. Linn-Mar won its state-qualifying meet and returns several key members of last year’s squad, including Jordyn Beck, Madalyn Leyse and Kayleann Simms.

Vinton-Shellsburg — The Vikings recorded the highest series in the state in any class last season (678) and advanced to the semifinal round of the 1A state tournament before being knocked out by Clarinda. They return three bowlers who totaled more than 3,000 pins last season (Kylee Kirchner, Tori Elwick and Tori Richart).

Decorah — Across all classes, Decorah finished sixth in the state in total pins last season. The Vikings bring back their top two pins leaders in seniors Rebecca Bruening and Lily Iverson.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy — The Cougars return five of their six top bowlers from last season (Ariana Chesmore, Abby Hume, Chloe Pierce, Kaylee Harris and Ricki Davis). With plenty of experience returning, the Cougars could be a force to be reckoned with in 3A.

Girls’ bowlers to watch

Savannah Edmonds, sr., Cedar Rapids Jefferson — Edmonds ranked in the state’s Top 25 individually in score per game (196.2) and score per series (392.4). She was the state champion as a sophomore.

Kylee Kirchner, so., Vinton-Shellsburg — Kirchner had an outstanding freshman year, averaging 200.33 per game and advancing to the state quarterfinal round individually.

Kaylee Harris, jr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy — Harris had a solid sophomore campaign. Her 191.07 score per game was good for 10th in the Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division last season, and her 382.14 score per series was good for seventh.

Jordyn Beck, jr., Linn-Mar — Beck finished fourth in score per game (186) and score per series (372) in the MVC Mississippi Division last season.

Makayla Saylor, jr., Iowa City High — Saylor, City High’s pins leader, finished right behind Beck (fifth) in score per game (183.73) and score per series (367.46) in the MVC Mississippi Division last season.

Boys’ teams to watch

Cedar Rapids Jefferson — The J-Hawks return their top four bowlers from last season: Myles Breemeersch, Mason Glassberg, Aiden Mitts and Logan Boll. Mitts won last year’s 3A individual state title, and Breemeersch was named Valley Division Athlete of the Year in the Mississippi Valley Conference. Mitts earned Valley Division second-team honors, while Glassberg and Boll were honorable mentions.

⧉ Related article: Cedar Rapids Jefferson boys’ bowling team has championship potential

Cedar Rapids Kennedy — Valley Division first-teamers Jaxon Robinson and Lucas Dolphin, second-teamer Alex Hume and honorable mention Caden Foye all return to a Cougars team that won last year’s MVC title. Kennedy will look to qualify as a team for the state tournament for the third consecutive season.

Decorah — The Vikings finished eighth in total pins across all classes in the state last season. Cade Averhoff recorded the high game for Decorah (255) and returns for his junior year after finishing second on the team in total pins.

Vinton-Shellsburg — On the table for the Vikings is a shot at a third straight state tournament appearance. Vinton-Shellsburg returns four bowlers who recorded more than 3,000 total pins last year (Vann Lessig, Eli Page, Alex Funk and Parker Arnold).

West Delaware — The Hawks return five starters from last year’s state-qualifying team that finished fifth. Pins leader Louis Shontz and individual state qualifier Saul Hernandez are among the bowlers returning.

Boys’ bowlers to watch

Aiden Mitts, jr., Cedar Rapids Jefferson — Last year’s 3A individual state champion returns for the J-Hawks. Mitts defeated Marshalltown’s Damon Borton, 226-198, in last year’s championship match. He’ll look to improve upon his 217.59 per game average.

Myles Breemeersch, sr., Cedar Rapids Jefferson — Breemeersch was last year’s MVC Valley Division Athlete of the Year after throwing a 300. He averaged 238.46 per game, good for third in the state.

Lucas Dolphin, sr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy — Dolphin recorded the high game for Kennedy last season, a perfect 300 and earned second-team all-state honors.

Jaxson Robinson, sr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy — Robinson led the Cougars in total pins and earned second-team all-state honors.

Alex Funk, sr., Vinton-Shellsburg — Funk averaged 216.94 per game last season, good for first in the Wamac West. He tied for 14th at the 1A state tournament.

Cody Huinker, sr., Waukon — Huinker led the Northeast Iowa Conference, averaging 217.45 per game. He finished sixth in last year’s 1A state tournament.