BY JIM MISUNAS jmisunas@gbtribune.com WICHITA – Great Bend's 5A state bowling runner-up Daegan Miller believed Panther teammate Josh Manning deserved all the credit. The red-hot Miller fired games of 248, 278 and 230 (756) to place as the 5A runner-up in Thursday's state bowling championship at Northrock Lanes. Manning kept Miller focused with their friendly back-and-forth banter. "Josh (Manning) was a big part of me doing so good," Miller said. "We talk 'smack' to each other. That's our way of 'staying up' and being positive. Once we both got going, we finished strong." Miller led Wichita Carroll's 5A state champion Ryan Pfeifer by 22 pins after two games. Pfeifer's 266 third game picked up 36 pins on Miller, who lost by 14 pins – 770-756. Miller's 756 series may rank second all-time behind Bryce Moore's 782 series in 2020. Miller's quality 10th frame enhanced his high score with three strikes, two strikes and two strikes to work the maximum three shots in his final frame three consecutive games. "It was nerve wracking," he said. "It requires a lot of patience to keep calm and continue hitting the same spot each time. It threw a lot of strikes." Because Miller delivered 27 strikes in his 30-plus frames, his grouping finished quicker than most of the field. "After the second game, I found out I was in first place," he said. "After that, I didn't know. But I knew If I rolled at least 200, I'd finish in the top five." Miller's pin action worked in his favor. "It was a little surprising by how 'lucky,' I got when I really needed it," he said. "I'm pretty proud of myself." Western Athletic Most Valuable bowler Miller discovered his 'sweet spot' after three frames. Miller delivered nine strikes, 10 strikes and nine strikes. Miller's two open frames occurred in his third game. "I found my perfect line three frames in when I pushed my spot left and that worked the whole time," he said. "Everyone was super happy and supportive." Miller ties state runner-up Bryce Moore (2018, 2021) for the second-highest finish in Great Bend history. Panther Hunter Herrman captured the 2013 state championship. Two-time state qualifier Josh Manning placed 30th at 580 (171-278-194). The setup enhanced quality scores with 40 bowlers scoring higher than 600. Great Bend's Zoey Mayberry earned seventh medalist honors with her highest state score (594) on games of 197, 203 and 194. The two-time state team champion member placed sixth (591), 10th (576) and 13th (565) at prior state championships. Panther Brooklynn Mayberry placed 45th (454) with scores of 154, 144 and 156. The member of the 2024 state champions placed 18th (544) and 51st (448) in her two past state trips.