Great Bend's Wagner, WSU Advance to Bowling Final Four

Wichita State rallies to qualify for NCAA championship tournament.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:11pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a college bowling match, with sharp overlapping planes of color representing the dynamic action and competition on the lanes.Wichita State's improbable run through the loser's bracket to reach the NCAA Bowling Final Four showcases the program's growing national prominence.Arlington Today

Paige Wagner, a bowler from Great Bend, Kansas, is a member of the Wichita State University bowling team that won the Arlington, Texas regional tournament and qualified for the NCAA Bowling Final Four. Wichita State (77-34) came through the loser's bracket to earn a spot in the national semifinals, where they will face top-ranked Jacksonville State on Friday in Parma Heights, Ohio.

Why it matters

Wichita State's bowling program has emerged as a national powerhouse in recent years, with this being their latest deep tournament run. For Paige Wagner, a bowler from the small town of Great Bend, making the Final Four represents a major accomplishment and opportunity to compete for a national title on the biggest stage.

The details

At the Arlington regional, Wichita State won four straight matches after an early loss to advance to the Final Four. Wagner, a key member of the team, bowled games of 195, 214, and an unspecified third score to help power the Shockers' comeback. They will now face top-seeded Jacksonville State in the national semifinals.

  • The Arlington, Texas regional tournament took place on April 5-6, 2026.
  • The NCAA Bowling Final Four will be held on April 11-12, 2026 in Parma Heights, Ohio.

The players

Paige Wagner

A bowler from Great Bend, Kansas who is a member of the Wichita State University bowling team.

Wichita State University

The college bowling team that won the Arlington, Texas regional tournament and qualified for the NCAA Bowling Final Four.

Jacksonville State

The top-ranked college bowling team that Wichita State will face in the national semifinals.

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What they’re saying

“Qualifying for the Final Four is a huge accomplishment for our program. We're excited to represent Wichita State on the national stage.”

— Paige Wagner, Wichita State Bowler

What’s next

Wichita State will face Jacksonville State in the NCAA Bowling Final Four on April 11, 2026 in Parma Heights, Ohio. The winner will advance to the national championship match on April 12.

The takeaway

Wichita State's bowling team, led by standout Paige Wagner, has emerged as a national power, qualifying for the NCAA Final Four and a chance to compete for the national title. This represents a major achievement for the program and for Wagner, a bowler from the small town of Great Bend.