Remarkable Regionals

As I always must have all information available, I looked up all the schools participating in Regionals to see how we stacked up.  The girls had 4 teams in front of them, the boys 5 teams in front of them.  Shelby had the 10th best average of all the girls so I thought if she bowled her best, she might have a shot to go to State as an individual.  I knew Katie would go and perhaps one of the boys.  So much for information.  Today at Mission Bowl in Olathe, the boys started out the day at 9:00 am.  Our top 3 bowlers were not bowling their best, but our bottom 3 were bowling better than expected.  Henry and Zach managed to turn their games up a notch, but NOTHING could top our No. 6 bowler, Brock Likens, who finished the day with a 300 (yes, I can now say I've witnessed a 300 game - the team has dubbed him "Mr. 300").  Oh yes, it was Brock's 18th birthday (bet he doesn't forget this one).  We figured his 731 would guarantee him a trip to State, but had to wait out the result.  Yes, Brock was the No.1 bowler and then they started announcing the teams from 10th place.  When they got to the 4th place team (and it wasn't South) we knew the boys were going to State.  2nd Place with only Olathe North ahead of them.  Of course we all went nuts screaming and cheering!  Then it was the girl's turn.  They were so keyed up about the boys that I thought either they would be too excited or majorly motivated.  The warmup was a little rough as Shelby hadn't found her strike ball, but when the meet started, she marched up to the line and threw a strike.  She actually fouled (hadn't done that all year), but never gave up.  Her first game was a respectable 175.  She then got into the zone and threw a 244 (fouled in that game too), and ended with a 169.  Her friend, Kalie, who had be struggling at meets ended with a 523, and Katie was back in top form with a 670.  I knew we had been in 2nd place after the first game and third place after the second game, but the big guns weren't on the board so we had to wait.  They started with individuals and our beloved Shelby got 7th place.  Katie got 1st place.  Then the countdown from 10th place.  Again, team after team was called and we were all shocked when our girls took 2nd place too (they were 5 pins out of first place).  Both teams were heading to Wichita!  I think Coach T was in shock (as were most of us).  Shelby's coach, Aaron, made it in time to hear the results and give her some pointers about the lanes in Wichita.  The boys bowl on Thursday and the girls bowl on Friday (Shelby is pretty excited about missing some school).  Way to go, Raiders!  We expect great things at State!

Brock after his 300 game

Principal Dr. Gilhaus and Coach T with Boy's runnerup trophy

Shelby's medal (front)

Shelby's medal (back)

Celebrating a Winning Season

After the Sunflower League Tournament, Tim and I motored to Ottawa for the football banquet. Shelby had planned to go too, but decided she would rather stay home in the warmth than venture out in the sleet (can't say I blame her). At the banquet, we ate (can't say I liked the food - too bad Tim couldn't have cooked), watched the highlight video, honored the seniors and academic accomplishments (Brenton was honored for his grades last semester), and then the boys got their championship rings! I'm not sure what I expected, but those rings are HUGE! After the banquest, we made our way over to the men's basketball game where the team was honored at halftime. Cady's mom and dad, Michelle and Joe Don, came in from Tulsa to support Brenton (after meeting her parents, it is easy to see where Cady gets its - her parents are just as delightful and fun as she is). All in all, a great night (even with the weather - man, am I sick of snow, sleet, and cold).

Cady and Brenton

No caption possible for this one...

Sunflower League Tournament

Saturday was a very busy day for the Byrnes' as it found us at Olathe Lanes East for the Sunflower League Tournament.  Shelby and I went early to cheer on the boys.  They came in seventh, although they beat all the Shawnee Mission schools with the exception of Shawnee Mission Northwest who came in sixth.  The boys did not return the favor of cheering on the girls (what's up with that) and the girls had a very rough outing.  Shelby's first game was quite difficult (133) but she made adjustments and fought back with a 189 and 178.  She ended up with a 500 series which was much lower than she wanted, but was the highest score for the girls.  The girls ended up eighth, beating out SME and SMN.  Brenton and Cady made it to town to watch.  Both grandpas and my mom were there as well.  Shelby only has 2 more meets: the first Monday vs Olathe North and St. Thomas Aquinas and Saturday at Regionals.  Even though the day was rather disappointing, we are very proud of Shelby for not giving up and hanging in there.  I know next week will be better!

Pictures from the Shawnee Mission Tournament

Shelby getting her 1st place medal

All the medalists

Shelby and Coach T

Shelby, Coach T, and Team Captain Katie Constant

Senior Day at College Lanes

The last home meet of the season found us honoring the senior bowlers (all 11 of them).  Rocky the Raider made an appearance and handed out carnations to the seniors.  All the Raider teams came in 2nd place.  Shelby had trouble with the lanes - lots of splits and funky pin action, but was at least consistent.  Next up is Shawnee Mission Northwest and Olathe South next Wednesday.  Shelby will be back on track no doubt and hopefully the rest of the teams will be also.  Go Raiders!

Picture from my phone

After the meet, Shelby, Kalie, and Katie posed for a picture.  The three girls bowled together on Lanes 19 and 20 at the SM Tournament at Mission Bowl.  Katie's dad pointed out that this is the second year in a row that a Raider girl got 1st place - Katie did last year and Shelby this year.

#1 Bowler in the Shawnee Mission District!

Today at Mission Bowl in Mission KS, SMS bowler Shelby Byrnes beat all of the competition (29 bowlers) and took first place for the girls with a 622 series.  I knew she had bowled the best she had in competition, but didn't realize she was the top girl until a SM West dad came up to congratulate her.  SMS bowler Katie Constant medaled as well - a tie for 6th place.  Of course, I didn't bring my camera so while I wait for pictures to be emailed me, I had Shelby pose at home.  The Raider girls got 3rd place overall, while the Raider boys took 4th place.  I know Coach T was hoping for better placement, but the girls got over 2000 pins so he was pleased about that.  He was thrilled for Shelby, of course, and expects her to get even better!  Next up is Senior Day on Tuesday and our last home meet of the season.  I will post more pictures as I get them.  Way to go, Shelby!!

Back on Track

Another bowling meet yesterday at Mission Bowl in Olathe found the Raiders bowling against Lawrence and Olathe Northwest.  The JV teams swept the competition (the JV girls are undefeated this season).  The Varsity girls beat Olathe Northwest, but lost to Lawrence.  The boys came in third (Zach and Henry - No. 1 and 3 - were sick and didn't bowl).  Shelby did much better than last week - even bowling 6 strikes in a row (10th frame of game 2 and first 3 frames of game 3).  Next up is the Shawnee Mission Tournament on Friday at Mission Bowl in Mission.  Hopefully, everyone will be well for that and we can have a Raider sweep!