By: Mike Glesinger Panhandle Post
The 2022 Nebraska State Unified Bowling Tournament was held Monday December 5 at Sun Valley Lanes in Lincoln. For the 6th time in the 7 year history of the event, The Alliance Bulldogs qualified and competed at State.
Alliance earned a berth in this years State Tournament as a wildcard qualifier. Ogallala won the B-6 District last week with a team score of 910. Alliance was the runner-up with a score of 867, which was the 2nd best score of non District winning teams. Hastings was the other wild card qualifier with a score of 907. The rest of the State Tournament field consited of.... B-1 Champion, North Bend Central (862). B-2, Malcohm (575). B-3, Wayne (727). B-4, York (911). B-5 Lexington (815).
Play got underway Monday morning, at Sun Valley Lanes, with opening Ceremonies, followed by the seeding round. Teams bowled 6 Baker Trio Games, with total pinfall determining the seedings. The First round, Best of 5 Match Play followed...with #1 Ogallala defeating #8 Malcohm, 3-1.
#4 Alliance defeated #5 Wayne...3-1
#3 North Bend Central defeated #6 Hastings...3-1
#7 Lexington defeated #2 York...3-1
In the Final Four Round, #1 Ogallala defeated #4 Alliance...3-1 and #7 Lexington defeated #3 North Bend Central...3-2. Ogallala and Lexington squared off for the Class B Title, with Lexington winning the State Championship... 3-2.
Unified Bowling was developed to Provide meaningful and real sport experience. Not all students in the building will make a varsity team. Unified Sports makes it possible for more students to have an opportunity to participate in this meaningful activity.
• Provides Social Inclusion, which impacts the entire school climate in a positive way, promoting respect, acceptance and diversity. Students are valued for their unique talents and skills.
• Helps reduce bullying through empowerment, awareness and engagement.
• Improves health and fitness, especially for students with disabilities facing higher risks.
Unified Bowling teams require a minimum of 3 team members (at least 1 athlete and 2 partners).
Alliance has competed in the State Tournament in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022. The Bulldogs were the State Champions in 2017.
Alliance team members ...Athlete, Javi Figueroa. Partner, Ian Gomez, Partner, Brexten Kimmel, Partner, Daulton Mangas and Partner, Garrett Myers. The Alliance team is coached by Laura and Joe Mangas.
