The boys’ season ended with a bust; the girls’ season ended with a bang.

The BE boys bowling team finished their season at the Region 3 Tournament, but the girls qualified for state.

Lacking experience, the boys team struggled this season to win matches and qualify for state.  The girls, however, dominated their schedule and made East history.  The guys are looking ahead to next season while the ladies look to the state competition.

Ending their regular season 1-8, the boys team and coaches remain positive.  Senior captain Austin Sanford said, “We did better this season than last [season].  We have a lot more skill than last year.”

At the regional tournament, the guys took Fern Creek to the fifth baker game (best three games out of five), but came up short, losing the match 3-2.  Unable to qualify for state, the boys team is still looking to root on teammates at the individual tournament on February 3rd.  Sanford, Robby Smith, and Michael Harville are all competing.

As for next season, Sanford hopes that his teammates Robby Smith and Alex Reece-Cook can take over and help the team improve.

The Lady Chargers, however, ended their regular season 7-2, losing only to Mercy and Pleasure Ridge Park (PRP).  Senior captain Kyra Banta said, “We did so much better than any of us thought we would.”  Overall Banta said the season was “amazing”.

The ladies also made Bullitt East history at the Region 3 tournament by becoming the first team to bring home a trophy and qualify for the state tournament in Lexington on February 13th.  The girls went all the way to the championship round versus PRP and took it to the fifth game.  They only lost by three pins, becoming the Region 3 runner-up team.  “It [winning regionals and qualifying for state] was possibly one of the best feelings ever.  The sense of accomplishment was such a great feeling,” Banta said.

While state is still to come, the girls are also sending Banta, Sarah Heicken, and Jessica Heicken to the individual tournament.

The team accomplished great things this year, but the goals are only being set higher for next year.  Banta will have graduated, but she still plans on rooting her teammates on.  “I hope that next year, the girls come 1st in the region, and then I want them to go on to state and dominate,” Banta said.