Middle school state bowling: Dellenbach 8th, Preuss 22nd in Division A

Two members of the Rhinelander Area Youth Bowling Club took part in the Bowling Center Association of Wisconsin middle school state tournament Saturday, May 2 in Ashwaubenon.

Natalie Dellenbach tied for eighth in the Division A field with a 504 series while Charlotte Preuss was 22nd with a 418 series. Both bowlers qualified through their season-long fill percentages in BCAW District 9 middle school play. 

Natalie Dellenbach was the top bowler in the field from District 9, which represents the north-central portion of the state. lla Humphrey (Merrill) was 15th, Leighton Burrows (Merrill) was 16th, Kaylin Girard (Stevens Point) was 18th, Elliot Blashka (D.C. Everest) was 19th and Preuss was 22nd.

There were 29 girls in Division A and another 15 in Division B.

“For Natalie and Charlotte to make state, two out of 44 in the state, is a great accomplishment for both of them. The entire Rhinelander bowling community is proud of them,” coach Cory Dellenbach said.

Coach Dellenbach said Natalie’s primary goal was a top-10 finish after finishing 12th at state in 2025. She was able to accomplish that with a strong finish, rolling games of 157, 150 and 197. 

“Natalie had a few opens in the first game and it took her a little bit to get settled it, but once she did and a little ball change, she started rolling the ball like we know she can. She didn’t let the pressure get to her too much,” coach Dellenbach said. “It was fun seeing her enjoy her time at state and make the adjustments she needed to make. She placed the highest amongst all the D9 girls that advanced individually and that was pretty special to her.”

Preuss had games of 135, 147 and 136 in her first state appearance.

“Charlotte definitely had nerves coming into it. We tried are best to get her mind off of bowling and relaxed,” coach Dellenbach said. “State can be challenging when you aren’t used to an atmosphere like it ... picture it, 5 kids on a lane, with each kid having a coach with them. That’s a lot of people on a pair of lanes. It can be very overwhelming there.” 

Both Natalie Dellenbach and Pruess are eighth graders slated to move up to the high school team next winter. 

USA Regionals

In addition to middle school state, Natalie Dellenbach — along with Rhinelander freshman Eli Miller — took part in USA regional competition Sunday, May 3 in Eagan, Minn.

It was Dellenbach’s second trip to regionals, and Miller’s first. They qualified through the Junior Bowling Scholarship Tour held throughout the state this past winter. 

The tournament was a 4-person baker format. Maddie Heinz of Appleton, Aidyn O’Kane of Boscobel and Trey Gorton of Westfield rounded out the squad.

In round robin play, the JBST Rolling Thunder team finished 3-5 and with 1,357 pins to seed fourth in Match Play in the Tier II bracket. 

In bracket play, which was double elimination, Rolling Thunder opened with a 2-1 win over the Waywarb Bobcats in a best-of-three baker match. In the second round, the Rolling Thunder fell to the Colonial Crushers 1-2 to drop into the consolation bracket.

In the consolation bracket of Tier II, Rolling Thunder opened with a 2-0 win over Silver Bowl and then fell in the fourth round to the North Stars, 2-0. 

Natalie Dellenbach filled 24 of 30 frames during the day with 10 strikes. Miller was 18 of 25 with seven strikes.