The WIAA/Dairy Farmers of Washington/Les Schwab Tires State Bowling Championships 2012

Narrows Plaza Bowl  |  University Place, Wash.


For the fifth year in a row, the WIAA/Dairy Farmers of Washington/Les Schwab Tires 2A/3A and 4A State Bowling Championships will hit the bowling lanes in University Place, Wash. at the Narrows Plaza Bowl Feb. 3-4.
 
The State Bowling Championships were previously held at Leilani Lanes (Seattle) from 2000-2005 until the alley closed down, then moved to Lynnwood Lanes in 2006 before switching to Narrows Plaza Bowl for the last five years. The event was moved from Lynnwood to Tacoma in 2007 in order to accommodate the crowd of over 400 in attendance for the state event.

Sandy Nelson has been the tournament manager since the State Bowling Championships began in the winter of 2000. Nelson’s previous job was with the King County Department of Judicial Administration as a Division and Project Manager for over 25 years. Her current occupation is Director of Primm ABC Child Care and Preschool, a non-profit agency providing services to children ages 1 to 12. She has spent over 20 years running youth and adult bowling tournaments both as Secretary/Treasurer of the Greater Seattle Youth Bowling Association and as Washington State Secretary for the Youth Bowling Association. Nelson definitely has a love and gratitude for the bowling realm.

“I appreciate how bowling can train youth in leadership, teamwork, and personal goals,” she said, while adding, “At the state event, their enthusiasm is infectious.”

Twenty schools will have individual bowlers compete at this annual event and 16 schools will be represented in the team competition for a total of about 140 bowlers. Friday’s stage is for all individual games and awards while Saturday is the scene for team competition and awards. Teams consist of five bowlers through 14 Baker games. Team scores from Saturday’s Baker games are combined with the individuals’ six regular games Friday for total scores and placing.

Emerald Ridge High School, the defending 4A State Champions for the last three years, will be making a run at a fourth state title. Courtney Couch, one of the Jaguars of Emerald Ridge, also makes her return as defending individual state champion. The defending 2A/3A champions of 2011, Prairie High School, did not qualify for this year’s tournament so the state trophy is up for grabs.

Lee Greenfield, General Manager of Narrows Plaza Bowl, has been a part of the state experience for the five years that it has been hosted at this venue. He enjoys helping run the event as it emphasizes the excellence of the girls.

“These are the best female high school bowlers in the state of Washington. We want to make sure they enjoy themselves and that they are recognized when they succeed,” Greenfield said. “The kids are the most important thing; this is their moment of fame.”

The WIAA’s own Sports and Activities Information Manager, Conor Laffey, will cover the announcing at the event. Listen for his signature phrase, “Set ‘em up and bowl!”
For more information visit www.wiaa.com and check out the event at: