Sports : VS bowler Elwick advances to State

Cyrus Elwick, fourth from left, will represent VS at the State Bowling Tournament. VSHS WaMaC bowling honorees: Medalists Madi Rippel, Taylor Berry and Cole Tharp, with WaMaC Girls Coach of the Year Amber Pattee. Cyrus Elwick became the only Vinton-Shellsburg bowler to advance to the State bowling meet after yesterday's performance at the Rose Bowl in Muscatine. The VS bowlers, both boys and girls, competed at the bowling alley which is home to the Louisa-Muscatine team. Elwick, a sophomore, had a two-game total of 199-264-463, which was good enough for fourth place among those competing at the Rose Bowl and ninth overall in Class 1A. Coach Amber Pattee summarized the meet, which was the last of the season. "The VS bowling teams performed at their last meet of the season in Muscatine yesterday. Unfortunately, it was just not in the cards for this team to go to the State Tournament. The teams gave it a great deal of effort and worked together as a team but fell short to continue their journey," says Pattee. "Unfortunately, this season we had 12 seniors who will be leaving us but these kids have made coaching easy and I wish them the best of luck in their new endeavors. I have been honored to coach these kids this season and can not say enough about their character. This kids are a testament to the quality of people we have in this school district." Elwick came out on top for the Boys team with a nice 264 game and 463 series, says the coach. Although he did not win the qualifying spot in Muscatine, he secured a spot as one of the at-large bids. Taylor Berry had the high series for the girls team with a 200 game and 377 series. Matt Karr 174 149 323 Charley Cooling 171 167 338 Nathan Harrelson188 204 392 Ryan Schoettmer 209 186 395 Cole Tharp 141 193 334 Cyrus Elwick 199 264 463 Madi Rippel 159 141 300 Christina Harrelson 161 157 318 Connie Upmeyer 191 133 324 Korey Murdock 202 129 331 Erin Wood 160 171 331 Taylor Berry 200 177 377 The State tournament is Monday, Feb. 19, at Cadillac Lanes in Waterloo at 10 a.m. Conference honors Although only Elwick advanced to State, the VS bowling team earned some medals at the earlier WaMaC conference meet. Bowlers Cole Tharp, Taylor Berry and Madison each earned a medal at the conference meet, and Coach Pattee was named thegirls WAMAC Coach of the Year. See a video of one of Elwick's strikes HERE.