The high school bowling season will have a different look this winter.
While the girls’ teams have already been practicing since early November, the boys’ squads didn’t begin practice until this week. The Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association will hold separate state tournaments at the end of the season–instead of the combined tournament that was held previously.
Ankeny’s bowling program is adapting to those changes under a new head coach. Adam Booth, who was an assistant last season, has been hired to take over for the departing Nick Payton.
“I knew they were needing some help last year, so I applied,” said Booth. “I learned a lot from coach Payton and really enjoyed coaching. I’m also glad to have coach Mitch Elbert on staff. He has multiple years as a head bowling coach from his days at Des Moines Hoover.”
Booth is a longtime assistant football coach at both Ankeny schools. He said he likes the contrast between coaching football players and the bowling athletes.
“It is a nice change of pace, but we have really good athletes to work with,” he said of the bowlers. “It does get intense at times, especially the team baker matches.”
There are about 30 bowlers out for the two Ankeny teams. The girls’ team will host Waukee in a CIML Conference dual meet on Thursday at B-Roll Bowling.
The boys’ squad will host Urbandale in its season opener on Dec. 4.
“Practice is going great,” Booth said.
The Ankeny girls’ team posted a 9-1 record last year, including a 5-1 mark in the CIML Conference. Its only dual-meet loss came late in the season to Waukee in a matchup of unbeaten squads at Warrior Lanes.
Johanna Shaw later qualified for the Class 3A state meet by placing fourth in a regional meet at Bowlerama Lanes. Shaw became the first Ankeny girl to qualify for state as an individual since 2012 and went on to earn a 22nd-place finish in Class 3A.
Shaw graduated from Ankeny Christian Academy last spring, but seniors Brooklyn Dietz, Olivia Harris and Ava Johnson are back from that team. Harris bowled a three-game series of 540 at the regional meet, where she missed qualifying for state along with Shaw by just 14 pins.
Harris led the team with a 333 series average for two games. Dietz posted a 257 average, and Johnson followed with a 211 average.
“The girls are looking to contend in the conference again,” Booth said. “That is their goal.”
The boys’ team struggled to marks of 0-6 and 0-9 last year. But returnees Preston Carr, Sebastian Cook, George Inman and Gavin Johnston all boast some varsity experience.
Carr placed 25th at the regional meet with a three-game series of 576. He bowled a 224 in his first game.
Inman led the Hawks with a 326 average for the season. Johnston was close behind with a 324 average, followed by Carr (298) and Cook (294).
“We have plenty of talent on both teams to qualify for team state,” Booth said. “Consistency will be the key for both teams. Just like any team sport, winning is fun. We’re just trying to get better every day and as coaches we are trying to develop young men and women of character.”