Evergreen has won the past four Class 3A state team titles
Champions.
Champions.
Champions.
Champions.
COVID.
That is the last five years for Evergreen bowling.
This week, the Plainsmen get a chance to win their fifth consecutive Class 3A state high school bowling championship.
“I was praying and hoping we could have a state tournament this year,” Evergreen senior Kailee Wilcox said. “I definitely want to end my senior year with a bang. It’s just amazing to be semi-back to normal. I’m just happy that we are able to have this. I’m very, very excited to go to state.”
The state bowling championships are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at Narrows Plaza Bowl in University Place. The competition has had some changes. Only one competition a day, and the competition has been shortened. Class 3A will go Thursday, with 2A/1A squads competing on Friday, and the Class 4A bowlers on Saturday.
Skyview, the Class 4A district champion, has a shot at a team title. Evergreen, the district champion, and Prairie are representing Southwest Washington in the 3A championship. Columbia River won the 2A district title and will represent the region.
Individual championships will be crowned, as well.
“I think it’s fun that I get to do it one more time with my sister,” said Kierra Wilcox of Evergreen. Kierra was a freshman on the 2020 state title team, competing with her sister.
Skyview finished third in the Class 4A state championship two years ago.
“Two years ago was so long ago,” Skyview bowler Chloe Gregory said, noting how excited it is to be going back to state. “Feels like forever ago.”
Lauren Gaynor was a freshman on that Skyview team in 2020, but went to state as a substitute. She is thrilled with the thought that she will be an integral part of the team this week.
“We didn’t think we were going to be this good,” Gaynor acknowledged.
The team lost three solid seniors from last year’s abbreviated season. But a few new Storm bowlers stepped up, and the team got a huge boost from district champion Addyson Case, a Washougal High School student.
Washougal does not have a bowling team, so Skyview and Washougal formed a “combined” team, allowing Case an opportunity to compete.
“When I came to Skyview I was really nervous,” Case said. “But after meeting all of my teammates, it was really exciting. I hope (state) is going to be a really great experience.”
Could be a championship experience, as well. Case rolled a 673 series at the district championship, her personal best.
Beyond the team competitions, there are individual bowlers representing Heritage, Mountain View, Fort Vancouver, Hudson’s Bay, Ridgefield, Battle Ground, Camas, and Union.
Schedule update and expectations from athletes and spectators
The WIAA released changes to the schedule and its expectations for the bowlers and their fans at the state tournament. The changes were made to ensure the championships could go on during the pandemic. For the changes, go here: https://mailchi.mp/wiaa/2022bowlingschedule
