Decorah girls bowling program two-steps its way to first state title

They kept climbing.

Every year since they were freshmen, senior members of the Decorah girls bowling team have taken steps toward winning a state title.

Two steps, to be precise.

This time, they reached their destination.

The Vikings -- led by seniors Karlie Einck, Marri Feuerhelm, Rylee Averhoff and Jasera Tweten, as well as juniors Kayley Baker and Hayley Baker — took home the Class 2A state championship Tuesday in Waterloo, the first in program history.

“We finally got one,” Coach Keith Bruening said. “We’ve been there a few times, but never could get it done.”

In 2023, Decorah finished seventh at state. The Vikings then took fifth in 2024 and third in 2025 before breaking through this season.

“We really had four tremendous seniors,” Bruening said. “They’ve been with me the whole time. It’s been a hell of a ride.”

“Every year since my freshman year, we’ve had a dream,” Einck said. “All I can say is it feels like a dream every day walking into the bowling alley with those girls, and I know I won’t forget it.”

The Vikings started hot at Cadillac XBC, advancing to the championship semifinals in bracket play after a strong second-place finish in the 15-game baker qualifying round.

“We walked in with our heads held high because we had some big goals to accomplish,” Einck said. “In our last five games of 15, we really made a push and got all the way to the 2-seed. From there, we knew we were going to take it one game at a time.”

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Decorah drew third-seeded Le Mars in the quarterfinal round, a team making its 12th consecutive appearance in the state tournament.

After alternating wins in the first four rounds, the Vikings edged Le Mars, 225-208, in a high-pressure fifth game.

“The toughest deal we had was Le Mars. Very well-coached kids,” Bruening said. “It was 2-2 at one time, but I never doubted that we would beat them. We were hitting the pocket, but we weren’t striking … and then we started striking. I knew our girls would.”

Clinton, 2A’s season leader in baker game average, was Decorah’s final opponent.

The Vikings jumped out to a 2-0 lead, escaping the second frame with a 204-200 win. The River Queens took the third game, which led to a brief moment of reflection for Einck.

“We were two games up and they beat us in the third,” Einck said. “I remember watching last year how it turned in the Le Mars and Keokuk title match. Keokuk was down 2-0, and they came back to win it in five games … but I really didn’t think about that once our fourth game started.”

Decorah powered through, taking the deciding fourth game, 202-175.

“Clinton is a very good team, a very storied program. They’ve got their banners,” Bruening said. “To beat somebody like that puts a really good feather in our hat for Decorah.”

“We really took it all one frame at a time, cheering each other on, being confident in every ball we threw and every pin we picked up,” Einck said. “Through all the highs and lows of it, we accomplished something that we will want to relive forever.”