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HARTINGTON — From a smalltown bowling alley where league nights double as social gatherings to statewide tournament competitions, the women’s Broadway Lanes bowling team has turned friendship and consistency into four state championships.
This year the team claimed first place in its division at the Neb.Women’s State Bowling Tournament after previously snagging the same bragging rights in 2014, 2017 and 2022.
The 2026 team — made up of Fay Burbach, Kari Ekberg, Nicole Bottolfsen and Mandy Hochstein — finished with a 2,781 at the state tournament in Grand Island, to top 195 other teams.
The Broadway Lanes team secured a comfortable lead over second place, which finished with 2,726 pins.
While the championship adds another accomplishment to the team’s resume, the bowlers did not realize they had a winning score when they left Grand Island. Because they competed so early in the tourney, they had no standings to compare against. The team bowled in the tournament’s opening weekend in February and then spent the next 10 weeks watching the standings.
For the veteran bowlers, however, the first-place finish represents more than another championship jacket. It reflects years of friendship, consistency and small-town league nights that have kept the team together through changing schedules, family responsibilities and the gradual decline of bowling programs in rural communities.
Burbach has bowled for 41 years, and Hochstein has bowled for 25 years. Both said the sport has always been about more than competition.
“I would say it’s more the social part of it,” Burbach said. “The camaraderie. Of course it’s fun to bowl well, but that doesn’t always happen.”
That balance between a healthy dose of competitiveness and just enjoying the experiences has become part of the team’s identity. While the bowlers take pride in competing well at state tournaments, they said chemistry and consistency have been just as important to the team’s success.
“We’re just a fun mix,” Burbach said. “We’ve got a good variety. It’s relaxing and fun.”
This year’s championship came after an especially demanding stretch of bowling. The team competed in the local city tournament before traveling to Grand Island for six more games of doubles and singles competition, followed by team competition the next day.
Despite the long weekend, the team’s best showing came in the final team round.
“That’s when we did the best,” Burbach said.
Both Hochstein and Burbach credit the team’s newer bowlers for helping secure the title. Players with lower averages have always been the team’s wild card as they make a major impact by bowling above their usual scores.
“The newer bowlers really stepped up,” Burbach said. “They just had a great day and didn’t get shook up about it.”
The bowlers also credited consistency as the key to their success. All four bowled at or above their averages during team competition, something the veteran bowlers described as difficult to achieve at a state tournament.
“If you can get your team to all bowl their averages and then one or two people have a phenomenal game, then you have a chance,” Hochstein said.
While the women’s Broadway Lanes team has changed over the years, one constant has remained: Burbach and Hochstein, who have been part of every state championship team.
The original 2014 title team included Lora Rohde, Kimber Rohde, Kaly Rutar, Burbach and Hochstein. The 2017 title team featured Lora Rohde, Ashley Dendinger, Jill Morten, Burbach and Hochstein. In 2022, the team included Dendinger, Daniella Klug, Morgan Zavadil, Burbach and Hochstein.
Beyond the championship jackets and the bragging rights, the bowlers said the sport has created friendships that have lasted decades.
“You become more than just a bowling team,” Hochstein said. “I’ve definitely made friends over the years that I wouldn’t have otherwise.”
On top of the friendships fostered, Burbach said getting to see the newer bowlers improve is another highlight of being a part of the sport.
The team also won its Wednesday Night Progressive League championship this season, adding another accomplishment to an already memorable year.
