The girls’ bowling team qualified for the March 23 Dick Atkinson State Championship Tournament in Fort Worth. Senior Cory Powers started bowling her sophomore year and brings experience to a somewhat new team.

“Regionals went better than we had hoped,” Powers said. “We were definitely nervous but held it together.”

At bowling practices, the team plays games similar to real matches with less pressure. However, the team has focused on practicing specific pin patterns and simplifying the game going into state. Sophomore Kaitlyn Waguespack joined the team this year after encouragement from her journalism teacher.

“I felt regionals was when the team was most bonded because we got more into the match than ever before. We were celebrating and yelling no matter what we did,” Waguespack said. “Since this is my first year, I don’t know what to expect [at state], but I know we will have good energy and be facing good teams. I hope we play for us and do our best.”

The girls’ team consisted of lots of new faces, including first-year Coach Leland Mallett. Bowling practices occurred every Monday and Thursday at Forum Bowling Lanes.

“The fact that we made it to state with a team that has a lot of new people is an amazing achievement as is,” Powers said. “We’re just going to go into it with an open mind and play our best and see what happens.”

Legacy placed third at regionals, but the team values the memories made during the season as much as any achievement.

“We had a lot of new players as well as a new coach, so we had to adjust and slow down a bit. We have definitely made some great memories that will forever be cherished and we are super grateful to Mr. Mallett for stepping in,” Powers said.