Tonganoxie unified bowling team headed to state after runner-up finish at regionals
Shawn F. Linenberger/Staff
Tonganoxie High unified bowling team members pose for photos moments after learning they placed second at the Lawrence-Free State Regional on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, at Royal Crest Lanes in Lawrence. Tonganoxie's runner-up finish qualified the team for state next week in Topeka.Tonganoxie High unified bowling team members hoisted their regional trophy in the air late Tuesday afternoon at Royal Crest Lanes in Lawrence.
The Top 5 teams from each of four regionals advance to state, and the Chieftains definitely punched their ticket. THS finished in second place behind Olathe West.
Schmidt praised his team for their efforts throughout the season leading to regionals and then shared a comment from the Olathe West staff.
The coach told Schmidt they were impressed “with how well the performed without having a (varsity) bowling team,” Schmidt said. “That’s probably the best compliment I’ve ever gotten.”
With just one class for all unified bowlers, Tonganoxie competed against several teams with varsity bowling squads as well.
Tonganoxie advanced with a score of 797 through six games for second place. Olathe West won the regional with 826 points.
THS scored a 148 in Game 1, 123 in Game 2, 100 in Game 3, 127 in Game 4, a meet-best 180 in Game 5 and then a 119 in Game 6.
The second-place performance kept Tonganoxie’s streak of getting or first or second place at each meet this season intact.
“The kids did perfect,” Schmidt said. “They were just fantastic all year,” I couldn’t ask anymore out of them.
Other teams joining THS and Olathe West at state will be Leavenworth (774), host Lawrence-Free State (749) and Olathe North (701).
The rest of the 16-team standings were: 6. Eudora, 677; 7. Lawrence High, 673; 8. Mill Valley, 666; 9. Piper, 658 (133); 10. Lansing, 658 (132); 11. Bonner Springs, 617; 12. Basehor-Linwood, 564; 13. Olathe Northwest, 558; 14. Atchison, 548; 15. De Soto, 484; 16. Schlagle, 354.
There were three other tournaments Tuesday: the Campus Regional at Wichita’s Let’s Roll Seneca bowling alley, Great Bend Regional at Walnut Bowl in Great Bend and the Olathe South Regional at Olathe Lanes East in Olathe.
Campus won its regional in Wichita with 843 points. Also qualifying for state were Wichita East (783), Iola (761), Chanute (750) and Wichita West (735).
Shawnee Mission West also is headed to state after winning the Olathe South Regional with 876 points. Blue Valley Northwest (802), Shawnee Mission East (772), Turner (729) and Olathe East (729). Turner had the tiebreaker, 151-138, but both THS and Olathe East finished in the Top 5 and are headed to state.
The Great Bend Regional will take place Thursday.
State will start at 12:45 p.m. this coming Tuesday at West Ridge Lanes in Topeka.
Shawn F. Linenberger/Staff
Tonganoxie High unified bowling team members celebrate a runner-up finish at regionals Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, in Lawrence.