For many college athletes, their sport is a natural extension of their high school career, but for Alexa Munhofen, a 2023 graduate of South Sioux City High School, bowling at the collegiate level was a dream she had to chase without a traditional high school team.
After graduation, Alexa headed to Morningside University, where she initially planned to play both softball and bowl. However, the demands of both sports soon became apparent, and she made the decision to commit fully to bowling. That choice paid off, leading her to national-level competition.
At Morningside, Alexa is part of a close-knit bowling team of six to seven athletes who practice intensely during the season, traveling to tournaments across the country. One of the highlights of her college career so far was competing in Las Vegas, where the team made it to bracket play and performed exceptionally well. The season culminated in Nationals in Detroit, where the Mustangs faced some of the toughest competition in the country.
Her journey into competitive bowling was different from most of her teammates. Without a high school bowling program, Alexa honed her skills through local youth and adult bowling leagues and found another opportunity to compete through Unified Bowling, a program that fosters inclusion by pairing athletes with disabilities and their peers. Unified Bowling was a passion of hers, and while she wished her school had a traditional team, she embraced the experience fully, finding joy in the camaraderie and shared love for the sport. Between leagues, Unified Bowling, and traveling to tournaments, Alexa built her foundation in the sport outside of a school team, proving her dedication and love for bowling.
Beyond the bowling alley, Alexa is pursuing a degree in criminal justice with a minor in psychology. Her goal? To join the Sioux City Police Department and eventually work her way into the K-9 unit. She admires the department’s strong sense of community and professionalism, qualities she witnessed firsthand during ride-alongs with officers, including Sergeant Gill, a respected mentor.
Though she started her college career living on campus, Alexa ultimately chose to move back home. The familiarity and comfort of home life, combined with the friendships she had already formed, made for an easier transition. She remains deeply connected to her roots, even expressing a hope to return to South Sioux City one day to coach softball.
Alexa’s story is one of perseverance and passion—of finding a way to compete at the highest level despite not having the same starting point as her peers. As she and the Mustangs battled through the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Women's Bowling National Championship, they started strong.
The Mustangs, ranked No. 12 in the field, opened Nationals with an impressive 4-3 victory over fifth-seeded Milligan on Thursday. The matchup was a back-and-forth contest, with Morningside securing wins of 195-185, 169-208, 169-223, 183-172, 190-203, 221-202, and 203-188 to advance. Their next test was against No. 4 seed William Penn at 7 a.m. the following day.
The tournament became even tougher as Morningside fell 4-1 to William Penn, dropping them into the consolation bracket. However, the Mustangs bounced back with a 4-1 victory over Culver-Stockton (157-191, 214-144, 167-162, 186-149, and 255-192), setting up a match against top-seeded SCAD Savannah, the defending national champions.
In a fierce battle, Morningside and SCAD Savannah traded wins in a thrilling 4-3 match. The Mustangs fought hard, but ultimately fell with scores of 191-152, 174-175, 229-115, 212-221, 214-183, 200-243, and 189-178, closing out their season with a strong showing at Nationals.
Guiding the Mustangs through this competitive season was head coach Steve Gonshorowski, a retired South Sioux City teacher and coach. A longtime fixture in the community, Coach Gonshorowski brought his years of coaching experience to Morningside, helping Alexa and her teammates push their limits and compete at the highest level.
For Alexa, the national stage was another step in her journey—one that started in South Sioux City and has taken her to compete against the best in the country. With her drive and dedication, both on and off the lanes, the future looks bright for this Mustang.
Photo from https://www.msidemustangs.com/