Addie McCluskey
Elmore Autauga News
The Elmore County Commission recognized the Stanhope Elmore High School (SEHS) boys’ bowling team and Coach Kenny Wilson during a special presentation, Feb. 26, 2026, at the Elmore County Courthouse, honoring their achievements in the 2026 season.
The team earned the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Class 6A/7A state championship title after defeating Hoover High School by 27 pins in the championship match. The victory marks the first state championship in the history of the SEHS boys’ bowling program.
“We had a small team this year,” said Wilson. “We only had six players, which didn’t leave a lot of room for substitutions, so these guys had to fight it out whether they were hurt or not feeling well, and they did it… we ended up barely making it, and people called us the underdogs, but they were just waiting to show them what they could do.”
Wilson, who was also named AHSAA Coach of the Year, has been involved with the SEHS bowling program for 10 years and has served as head coach for the past six. During his tenure, he has coached multiple players who have excelled individually in AHSAA competition and led his current team to a 6A/7A state championship.
“You know, a true sign of a winner is coming from behind or being in a deficit, and y’all [SEHS bowling team] played against some really big schools, so congratulations,” said Commission Chairman Bart Mercer. “Just as a note, it was your [Wilson’s] fellow coaches throughout the state who voted on coach of the year, and that’s quite an accomplishment.”
Following remarks from commissioners, the SEHS bowling team and Wilson were presented with resolutions honoring their state-level achievements.
