Cathedral and Elwood are State Champions in Unified Bowling

The eighth annual Champions Together and Special Olympics Indiana Unified Bowling High School State Championship was held March 14 at Western Bowl in Indianapolis. Twenty-six teams from across the state competed for the High School Division and Open Division state championships.

The High School Division comprises both Unified partners and Unified athletes whose students are currently attending a school that is eligible under IHSAA rules. The Open Division consists of Unified partners where students currently attend a school eligible under IHSAA rules, but the Unified athletes are involved in the local community program.

Unified Bowling teams consist of 15 students participating on one of three teams. Each team includes five students, at least two of whom have intellectual disabilities (Unified athlete) and at least two students without intellectual disabilities (Unified partner). The event uses the “Baker” system for competition. Within a 5-person team, each team member bowls two frames per game. For example, the first bowler bowls frames 1 and 6, the second bowler bowls frames 2 and 7, and so on.

There were 41 teams that competed in the Unified Bowling Sectional Tournament with the chance to advance to the state tournament. A total of 20 schools advanced to the High School Division Championship, and six advanced to the Open Division Championship.

Elwood High School led all team scores with a 1,996 pin total to earn the High School Division title.

Elwood head coach Sondra Tarter led the Panthers to their first state championship. The Panthers were runners-up in the inaugural year of Unified Bowling in 2018.

“The state championship was an incredible experience for our EJSHS Unified Bowling team,” Tarter said. “All of the teams came ready to compete, but what stood out most was how athletes supported and celebrated each other’s successes throughout the day. It was a powerful reminder of what Unified Sports and true inclusion are all about.  EJSHS is so excited to be a part of Unified Bowling and Champions Together.”

South Ripley finished runner-up with 1,920. Rounding out the top-five were Lafayette Jefferson (1,691), Griffith (1,636) and DeKalb (1,615).

Indianapolis Cathedral rolled a 1,879 total pin count over the five games to take the Open Division state championship. It is a repeat for the Irish as they are back-to-back champions under second-year head coach Brother Matt Rehagen.

“Cathedral High School was honored to participate in the Unified State Bowling tournament this past weekend,” Rehagen said. “Our students had an absolutely great time bowling alongside the Special Olympic athletes of Northeast Marion County. Between the bowling, snacks, dance breaks  and fantastic conversations, we all had a tremendous time. We are so thankful for everyone who helped to put on such an amazing day, and we are already looking forward to next year.”

Lafayette Central Catholic finished runner-up in the Open Division with 1,675. Rounding out the top-five were Woodlan (1468), Bishop Chatard (1348), Hamilton Heights (1296) and DeKalb  (1150).

See 2026 Championship results below.

Unified Bowling State Championship Records

Team records are kept for most pins in a game by the entire team. Additionally, most pins in a Championship (5-game series).

Seven records were broken during the 2026 State Championship. Below are the new records:

Most Pins in a Game

Team: Elwood, Team No. 3 (448), new record holder

Coed:   Cathedral, Team No. 3 (201), game 1, new record leader

Noblesville, Team No. 1 (178), game 4, ranked fifth

Most Pins in a Championship (5-game series)       

Team: Elwood HS (1996), ranked fourth

Coed:   Elwood, Team No. 2 (770), new record leader

Cathedral, Team No. 1 (740), ranked third

Noblesville, Team No. 1 (722), ranked fourth