The initial 2010 IHSAA bowling tournament included ten teams from each of two classes. These teams qualified for the state tournament following district play, with some additional individuals also qualifying independently based on finishing among the top individual scores in their district (only schools that had team qualifiers are listed on this page, however). In 2015, play expanded to 3 classes, with seven teams initially qualifying per class. In 2017, this was expanded to eight teams per class. 

Team scoring is based on the combined scores from two rounds of bowling. In the first round, six individuals from each team bowl using straight 10-frame scoring, with the lowest score being thrown out and the five highest scores added together to give the team its round one score. The second round is played using a 5-game Baker format. This means that there is only one bowler per team per frame, with the bowler changing each frame, rotating between a five-player lineup. Between games (10 frames), teams may substitute or switch the order of their lineup. Combined team scores after 5 such games (so that each bowler has the chance to bowl 10 frames in round two), make up the team's round 2 score. This is then added to the round 1 score to provide the overall team score for the tournament, with the team scores being ranked in comparison to all the other teams in the tournaments. In addition to teams, individuals continue to be able to qualify for the state tournament regardless of their team results if they finish with one of the top six scores at their district tournament (including ties). Individuals simply bowl two straight 10-frame games if not attached to a team. 

Plaza Lanes in Des Moines was the host site for the state tournament from 2010 to 2017, while Cadillac XBC in Waterloo has hosted since 2018. 

9  --  Ottumwa: 2010 (2A), 2011 (2A), 2012 (2A), 2013 (2A), 2015 (2A), 2017 (2A), 2018 (2A), 2019 (2A), 2020 (2A)