Garden boys, Burns keep rolling on

Buffs claim 4th straight WAC title

When he started the Garden City High School boys and girls bowling program in 2007, Kip Nichols wasn’t exactly sure how successful the annual winter sport would become.

Little did he know that not only would it become one of the more successful sports at the school, but also in the Western Athletic Conference and in Class 6A.

The 2023 edition of the Buffs’ boys’ team was a prime example as they swept through the WAC eight-match dual schedule, earning 96 of a possible 104 points to claim the school’s fourth consecutive league crown and then capped off the most recent season with a 6A regional title and a third-place finish at the 6A state tournament.

In the process, Nichols saw sophomore KJ Burns move into the top spot in the WAC, earning Bowler of the Year honors by averaging 223.33 for the 24-game league campaign, leading the Buffs to a sweep of the top four individual placers on the 6-player all-WAC first team.

“Coming out of tryouts (in December) I knew we had something that could be special,” Nichols said recalling the preseason work. “Their statistics were better than the 2016 team (6A state champions). The unknown with this group was the maturity and experience. We had some that were young and mature, others that were young and not mature. It wasn’t a clear picture on how to get this team to gel.”

But gel the team did, with Burns’ 223-plus average leading the way. Junior Kaden Strasser finished second in the overall averages at 205.16, senior Garrett Messenger third at 202.58 and sophomore Athen Villarreal fourth at 196.25.

The first-team all-WAC (6 members) included Jaylen Daniels and Dylan Ferguson.

Second-team members included Kaden Webb, Dodge City; Caleb McNett, Great Bend; Ethan Pogue, Dodge City; Ethan McMillan, Garden City; Bo Roth, Garden City and Lexton Batie, Liberal.

In winning the WAC team title for the fourth consecutive year, Nichols was voted Coach of the Year.

“I knew we wouldn’t be as good coming out of the gate as we would be at the end of the season,” Nichols said. “And that’s what we did. We just got better and better as the season progressed.”

Following the sweep of the WAC opponents in the double round-robin format (home and home), the Buffs captured their regional title in Wichita and then placed third at 6A state, bringing home their sixth top 3 trophy in the past 10 years.

“Many people would say a third-place trophy is a good season and I wouldn’t necessarily disagree with them,” Nichols said. “But we have higher goals, so as good as this season was, we still have some chinks in the armor, which is the difference between third and first.”

Nichols utilizes a sophisticated rating system to select his six varsity bowlers for both the boys and the Lady Buffs. A combination of preseason tryouts, practice game scores, the WAC dual matches, bigger tournament scores and challenge matches several times during the season all go into a mathematical calculation to rate the bowlers.

“Numbers don’t lie and what I look for is consistency from everything – practice games, matches, challenge, tournaments – I want a bowler to bowl the same no matter the circumstance,” Nichols said. “That way, I know they are focused all the time.”

Burns was a specific example, having repeated as 6A state runner-up from his freshman season, the WAC Boys Bowler of the Year improved his scoring average by nearly 16 pins per game, and the 223 average was a program best.

Another contributor to the Buffs’ success, Nichols said, is the fact that they bowl in many different establishments that present different lane conditions.

“We see a little bit of everything,” Nichols said. “We bowl in two houses here, Liberal, Sublette, Great Bend, Hays, and a couple of locations in Wichita. All that variety helps us to adapt to the different conditions and shots that we encounter.”

Nichols has seen the progression and changes in the format for regular season and postseason competition. When bowling first was organized, it was simply a 3-game series using the American 10-Pin format (bowl six, count the best 4 in each of the 3 games). Now, in addition to that format, the regional and state tournaments include 4 games of the Baker format where a bowler never bowls two frames consecutively, and for Nichols he uses all six of his bowlers for the 10-frame format.

“We’ve had some lackluster games in Baker and that cost us this year,” Nichols said. “We tend to come out strong and then fall flat. When you get to the postseason, you can’t have a bad game or two.”

Just like any other sport, Nichols wants his bowlers to be students of the game.

“I don’t want them to ever be satisfied and I want them to study other teams, watch the pros and learn how to adjust to lane conditions,” Nichols said. “I want them to stay intense, don’t let your guard down. If you do, you’re opening yourself to defeat.”

Since the 2013 season, either the Buffs or Great Bend has won the WAC boys’ title, with the Buffs winning seven of the last 10 years. Additionally, he has had three different bowlers earn Bowler of the Year honors. Tristan Funk, the 6A state champion (leading the team to that title) won it in 2013-2014-2016; Kaden Whitehurst (the 6A state champion in 2020), won the WAC top spot in 2021 and 2022 before Burns garnered the top spot this season.

“Winning WAC is the first goal we have each year,” Nichols said. “Then, it’s regionals and state. We’re really fortunate that we have kids who are committed to the program and want to do well.”

It would appear that the Buffs are set for the next couple of years, too, as Messenger is the lone senior out of the top seven bowlers for Nichols.

KJ BURNS, GARDEN CITY, SOPH. – WAC BOWLER OF THE YEAR

Burns entered his sophomore season as the projected top bowler in the WAC, and his performance did not disappoint.

Winning the top spot on the WAC by an 18-pin average per game was impressive. Twice during the conference schedule, Burns put together 3-game series of 700-plus, with his top being 782. Only once did his series dip below 600 and that was at a house that traditionally presents the toughest shot the teams face all season.

“My standards have always been pretty high,” Burns said. “I’ve improved a lot since my freshman season and I know more about what I’m capable of. A lot of hard work went into this season and I’m happy I could see the improvement in my average.”

Burns said he likes watching professional bowlers, studying their styles and using that when he is competing.

“I just try to take what I observe and put it into my game and looking to get better,” Burns said. “Getting better in the mental game is also important and once you get that part down, the other becomes easier.”

With bowling being both individual and team competition, Burns said it has been important to be part of developing team chemistry.

“My goal is to keep everybody from getting down if they’re struggling a little,” Burns said. “The Baker format is a time to refresh your mind and it’s important that everyone is on the same page. You still have to contribute and still have to perform for the team.”

Burns said the current team is comprised of bowlers who have been friends for many years and have bowled in the youth leagues.

“We all know each other and I think our team chemistry is one of the best in the state,” Burns said. “We have bowled together so long and we just know each other very well.”

Burns said that the make-up of this year’s squad had three experienced at the varsity level and three newcomers.

“I think we will get even better next year because the nerves won’t be such an issue,” Burns said. “Experience helps at state and we just need to do what we can and stay locked in and let the results take care of things.”

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2023 Western Athletic Conference
All-WAC First Team – Boys

NAME	SCHOOL	WAC AVG/GAME
KJ Burns	Garden City	223.33
Kaden Strasser	Garden City	205.16
Garrett Messenger	Garden City	202.58
Athen Villarreal	Garden City	196.25
Jalen Daniels	Great Bend	188.50
Dylan Ferguson	Great Bend	183.12

Second Team

NAME	SCHOOL	WAC AVG/GAME
Kaden Webb	Dodge City	182.04
Caleb McNett	Great Bend	181.41
Ethan Pogue	Dodge City	180.75
Ethan McMillan	Garden City	179.08
Bo Roth	Garden City	178.42
Lexton Batie	Liberal	178.20