The De Soto High School bowling team has been extremely busy preparing for their meets.

“The competition is really stiff. There’s some really good talent … it showed us where we all need to be individually and as a team,” said head boys’ coach Jake Lorenzo.

The bowling team began their preparation Jan. 5. They practice around four days a week to help the development of their skills.

“The boys are becoming very good at knocking a lot of pins down. I am seeing a lot of improvement from the girls,” said head girls’ coach Meredith Boydston.

To create this desired improvement, the team travels to Ranch Bowl in Kansas City, Kan.

“The drive is quite long, but it gives us time to do our homework and still get the essential practice time,” sophomore Nathan Hess said.

Although their practice facility is nearly 40 minutes away, they do not let the extensive drive affect their practice time. They utilize what time they have to create a team bond.

“Bowling team is like a family. We have really started to grow a close bond through all of these practices,” sophomore Jordan Fisher said.

The team has placed in their past several meets. They have continued to practice in hopes of making it to State.

“We have improved drastically since the first day of practice. I see us going nothing but up from here,” Fisher said.

The bowling team has it’s next meet Feb. 6 against Mill Valley, Blue Valley Southwest and Topeka West at Westridge Lanes in Topeka.