Herb Halinski wants his Kansas Wesleyan men's bowling team to start the 2025-26 season strong, saying it would benefit the team ... and him. The Coyotes open with the Mid-States Intercollegiate Tournament on October 18-19 in Wichita.

"Hopefully we do very well there, we've just got to get off to a better start this year, so we don't have to necessarily win our way to get to nationals," said Halinski, who is in his third season at KWU.

The Coyotes were sensational last season, winning the Kansas Conference Tournament then placing among the top six at the NAIA National Championships in Sterling Heights, Mich. 

The journey was far from easy though. KWU came back through the losers' bracket in the conference tournament after dropping its first match. The Coyotes won their first match at nationals, lost the second then won twice before bowing out with a loss.

White knuckle stuff but Halinski believes those experiences will pay dividends in '25-26.

"It's going to benefit us tremendously because they had all kinds of pressure on them and they really succeeded just with their experience and bowling in some big tournaments and the pressures that they faced going through the losers' bracket and then same thing at nationals," he said. "They feed off each other and they're very supportive of each other."

This year's team has depth and talent and is led by senior Conner Kirby, junior Connor Thomas and sophomores Landon Bauer and Max Howerton.

"Kirby's starting to take on more of a leadership role," Halinski sad. "He's helping out more with practice and trying to be a mentor to the younger players. Thomas is a great team player and really helps prop up the guys and he's got a good physical game. (Bauer and Howerton) have only gotten better."

Halinski said there are several bowlers he can call on.

"We've actually got 10 guys that could travel with us pretty much anywhere," he said. "I've got two freshmen from Derby, Dawson Baumgartner and Evan Clark and they're outstanding. They made the travel team, and they've got huge tournament experience. They're just going to step in and help out immediately when we start our season."

Jackson Penny, one of KWU's top bowlers a year ago, joined the coaching staff and is working with the men's team.

"He's helping out a great deal; he's helping with practice," Halinski said. "He knows what balls they need to be throwing; he's watching every shot that they throw because obviously I can't always be there since I'm doing both the men and the women."

The schedule is not easy.

"(After Wichita) the first three weekends in November we're traveling," Halinski said. "We go to Cedar Rapids (Iowa), Rockford (Illinois) and then there's a huge NAIA tournament in Topeka on the 14th to 16th. We're going against some really good teams which will push us. We're seeing confident teams that we've seen the last couple of years that will help both the men and women."

WOMEN'S TEAM
Halinski is buoyed by the fact he has a larger squad to work with.

"We have more players (eight) than last year, so we've recruited well," he said.

This year's team is led by returning veteran Autumn Thompson, a junior.

"She's really got leadership skills to help out with the girls," Halinski said.

Freshmen Anajaye Smith and Njaila Davis who bowled for Wichita East High School are top newcomers.

"They have joined the team and they're going to make an impact," Halinski said.

Emma O'Donnell, one of the team's top bowlers last season, graduated but didn't go far.

"She's actually back as an assistant as well and doing the same thing as Jackson," Halinski said. "She's really helping out with the girls, showing leadership."

Halinski is seeking improvement in one specific area during preseason practices.

"The big thing is we just missed too many spares so that's one of the things that is the focus this year," he said.