The Siloam Springs bowling teams are ready to start the 2016-2017 season.
"We've been bowling since the middle of September and my kids are ready," said head coach Ken Bolinger. "We're all excited about it getting started."
Siloam Springs bowling
2016-17 schedule
Date^Opponent^Location^Time
Nov. 29^vs. Gentry^Hillside Lanes, Gentry^4 p.m.
Dec. 8^vs. Rogers/Heritage^Community Bowl, Siloam Springs^4 p.m.
Dec. 13^vs. Bentonville/West^Community Bowl, Siloam Springs^4 p.m.
Dec. 27^NWA Holiday Tournament^Ozark Lanes, Fayetteville^11 a.m.
Jan. 5^vs. Fort Smith Southside/Northside^Midland Bowl, Fort Smith^4 p.m.
Jan. 10^vs. Elkins, Lincoln^Community Bowl, Siloam Springs^4 p.m.
Jan. 12^vs. Van Buren^Community Bowl, Siloam Springs^4 p.m.
Jan. 17^vs. Springdale/Har-Ber^Springdale Bowl^4 p.m.
Jan. 19^vs. Rogers/Heritage^Rogers Bowling Center^4 p.m.
Jan. 24^vs. Elkins, Lincoln^Ozark Lanes^4 p.m.
Jan. 26^vs. Clarksville^Fast Lanes, Lowell^4 p.m.
Feb. 2^Bi-Tournament w/Gentry^Community Bowl, Siloam Springs^4 p.m.
Feb. 7^7A/6A-West Conference Tournament^Conway Family Bowl^11 a.m.
Feb. 14^7A/6A State Tournament^Fast Lanes, Lowell^11 a.m.
On the boys side, the Panthers return five bowlers from last season's team that wound up finishing fifth at the 7A/6A State Bowling Tournament in Cabot.
"We've definitely got a seasoned group," Bolinger said. "Right now it looks like my top six are all juniors and seniors, which I don't think I've ever had. I'm feeling really good about this group. We've still got some improving to do, but we could do really well this year I hope."
Junior Nathaniel Brown has led the Panthers in practice so far, after finishing 33rd overall at the state tournament last year.
After Brown, the next best bowler has been senior Shane Hanan, who finished third overall at the state tournament a year ago and earned a bronze medal and all-state honors.
Senior Ben Holland was 48th at state last year, and junior Garrett Howell was 14th. Senior Karterr Barlow also competed in the state tournament a year ago.
Bolinger said junior Patrick Dowdy has shown great improvement since joining the team this year. Freshman Jordan Barker has pushed upper classmen in practice, while senior move-in Luke Reicheneker has also bowled well in practices.
Six bowlers are allowed to compete in regular season matches, but that number increases to nine for the conference match.
In girls, the Lady Panthers failed to qualify as a team for the state tournament last year but the top three bowlers participated as individuals.
Junior Baylie Mullikin is the leading returner with about a 140 average, while sophomores Holly Green and Misti Krueger are around 130.
Sophomores Tessa Brown and Abby Pearson are also in the top six along with senior Erica Springer, who is a four-year veteran.
"What I'm really excited about is the top six (girls bowlers) are all over 120," Bolinger said. "Overall we're pretty good and capable of getting a whole lot better."
Sophomore Savannah Middleton also has been bowling well, Bolinger said.
The Panthers and Lady Panthers opened their season Tuesday against Gentry at Hillside Lanes. Results were not available at presstime.
Both teams will return to action on Dec. 8 in their home opener against Rogers and Rogers Heritage at Community Bowl in Siloam Springs. It's the first of several home matches this season.
"We've got a lot of home matches this year," Bolinger said. "We've got a lot of people wanting to come here. Our facility is much improved. (The owners) help us a lot. They've put a lot out for us and that's very appreciated."
Sports on 11/30/2016