Cambridge finishes inaugural bowling season at state championships

Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Cambridge’s state-qualifying unified bowling team poses at Monday’s state championship meet at Sun Valley Bowling Lanes in Lincoln. Members include, back row from left, John Hilker, Ryann Lewis, Kaelie Tomlin, Coach Cindy Borland, and front row from left, Kyle Borland, Tyler Borland, Coach Adam Wright.
Courtesy photo

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Cambridge wasn’t intimidated.

Despite being the smallest school to ever qualify for the unified bowling state championships, the Trojan group of five bowlers put on a valiant performance on Monday at Sun Valley Bowling Lanes in Lincoln.

Members of Cambridge’s state tournament team included Kyle Borland, Tyler Borland, John Hilker, Ryann Lewis and Kaelie Tomlin. Coaches were Adam Wright and Cindy Borland.

Kaelie Tomlin bowls during Monday’s state championship meet.
Courtesy photo

Monday’s state championships began with an opening ceremony around 10:30 a.m. A seeding round, where each team bowled six baker trio games to determine seeding for the tournament bracket, followed.

Cambridge was seeded No. 8 and bowed out in the first round to No. 1 Fremont.

“We took too long to shake off our nerves in pool play and ended up seeded No. 8 going into the tournament,” Wright said. “We drew No. 1 seed Fremont and while we bowled competitively with them in all three games we weren’t able to advance out of the first round. The kids were disappointed for the season to end but we finished with three strong games. That helped to send us out with a more positive state experience.”

As a second-year sport with few participating schools, unified bowling only has one class of competition. The difference in size between Cambridge and Class A Fremont can be seen using the 2017/2018 NSAA enrollments. Cambridge’s three-class enrollment total this year was 88, Fremont’s was 1,104.

Prior to Cambridge, the smallest school to qualify for the state championships was North Bend Central (NSAA enrollment: 142) last year.

John Hilker prepares to bowl during Monday’s state championship meet in Lincoln.
Courtesy photo

Wright said that the state tournament setting was something that his team had not seen before.

“The team was very excited to be participating but they were also very nervous. The crowd was much larger than anything we had seen all season and along with the pressure of the TV cameras it took us a few of games to get rid of our nerves and start bowling like we are used to.”

Jitters aside, Wright also said his team enjoyed the experience and festivities that created a championship setting.

“The kids really enjoyed the opening ceremonies, especially the national anthem,” he said. “Sun Valley Lanes has a choreographed light show that runs with the national anthem and that was exciting for the fans to get to be a part of, it was a unique experience that added to the big stage of a state tournament.”

Despite the early-round exit, Wright said Monday was a great experience for his team and provides something to build on heading into next season.

“We had a very good inaugural season and learned a lot along the way, I look forward to next season as we chase a repeat state tournament bid.”

No. 4 Alliance upset No. 1 Fremont in the semifinals then went on to defeat No. 2 Lincoln High in the championship match to claim the state title.

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