The Class 5A high school bowling season ended on Wednesday, February 7th at the state bowling tournament held in faraway Jonesboro in Northeast Arkansas. The 250-mile journey was a long trip for several Greenwood High School bowlers who qualified to participate, including the entire varsity boys team and two Lady Bulldogs who competed as individual bowlers. They qualified at the 5A West conference tournament in Texarkana on Monday, January 29th, another long trek to the Arkansas-Texas border. But those long bus rides were worth the effort as Head Coach Austin Moreton and assistant Barbara Brown watched their players leave their marks on the tournament scoresheets.
Coach Moreton provided tournament results and associated comments about his teams and individual players, exuding pride in their accomplishments and hope for an even better future with most of his players returning next season. He also thanked volunteer assistant coach Barbara Brown for her efforts, especially early in the bowling season while Moreton was still occupied with football.
“[Our season] has ended and I am proud of both the boys and girls teams,” said Moreton. “[Though] conference did not go the way we anticipated for either [team]. Our girls placed seventh out of 11 teams in the 5A West conference tournament. You have to place in the top five to qualify for state as a team. We are young and our girls did really well in the baker games to end the tournament. [But] we are excited to see how the girls team will grow and improve next year [since] everyone is back. Coach Barbara Brown did a great job working with the ladies.
“We did have two girls qualify for the state tournament,” continued the head coach. “Brianna Wilson and Lorelai Graham both qualified as individuals. At the state tournament Brianna placed 29th out of 80 bowlers and Lorelai Graham placed 41st. Both did really well at the state tournament and I’m glad they got the experience of qualifying and going to compete. Coach Brown and I are looking forward to all the ladies coming back next year.”
Moreton also addressed the success of his Bulldogs, who nearly won the conference tournament but just missed out to finish in third place, qualifying as a team to compete at the next level at Jonesboro. “We had a shot at first place and were actually in first place multiple times during the tournament,” explained the coach. “[But] the pins just didn’t fall our way at the end.
Three Bulldogs earned all-conference honors, according to Moreton. “Will Hutcherson placed third overall winning the bronze medal,” said the coach. “Parker Pierce placed fourth and Dylan Pierce placed 11th overall, earning 5A West all-conference honors.” Their performance, with the help of their teammates, propelled the GHS boys on to the state tournament.
“At [Jonesboro] the boys placed fifth overall and actually placed the highest [among all other 5A West teams]. We had several of the guys bowl well, but only one earned 5A state honors. Junior Will Hutcherson earned all-state honors placing 12th out of 80 bowlers. I also want to commend sophomore Parker Pierce who was only seven pins behind Will placing 14th out of 80 bowlers and senior Dylan Pierce who placed 18th overall. The boys bowling team had one of the best seasons we’ve had in a while at Greenwood, and the exciting thing is we have seven of the 10 guys that bowled varsity for us back next year.”
The head coach then ended his remarks by echoing his excitement and hope for the future of the GHS bowling program. “The future is bright for both our girls and guys teams next year. We’re looking forward to a big group of individuals making a return and being better. I want to again thank Barbara Brown for all she does and a few of the parents for all they do for the program. We would not be where we are as a program without the help of several parents. I’m proud of our bowlers for the time and effort they dedicate to the sport. They spend hours and days at the alley to improve their game and their teammates. Proud is an understatement.”