It was close, but no cigar
, for the Wayland girls’ varsity bowling team in the Division 2 regionals Friday in Kalamazoo.
The Lady Wildcats finished fourth, but only the top three get to advance to the state tourney. They had the misfortune of rolling among five of the top-ranked teams in the state.
“This group of young ladies is definitely one of the top 10 teams in the state for Division 2,” said coach Bill Holbrook. “Unfortunately, there were three other teams in our region that were better (Jackson, Charlotte and Sturgis) and they will likely finish in the top five at the state finals next weekend. Unfortunately, we drew the toughest regional and just never could get on a roll.
“Our spare shooting was pretty poor all day and by pretty much everyone on the team. Normally, I figure you need to average 170 as a team for the day to qualify for state. That would have been way short today though, as the third qualifier averaged 180 for the day.
“The Lady Wildcats have nothing to hang their head about though. As a team, they accomplished more than anyone thought they could this season with three tournament wins, a conference title and the highest state ranking ever by a Lady Wildcats bowling team. Any other regional and we more than likely make it to the state finals, but we don’t get to choose that.
“These girls worked hard all year and are disappointed to come up just short but I couldn’t be more proud of them. They compete extremely hard from the first to the last shot and they never ever give up. I hope they are as proud of their accomplishments and growth this year as I am,” the coach concluded.
The Lady Wildcats came up with only mediocre Baker games, averaging 152 (149,176,144,154,139,162) about 10 pins a game lower than their average for the season.
Team individual games Friday were a mixed bag with sophomore Marissa Bruinsslot shining with a 191 and 199. Other scores were senior Lizzy Cobb 126, 147; senior Aubree Hodges 159, 144, 186; junior Alicia Sweeney 179, 121: sophomore Sydney Urben 179, 170; junior Erin Porteous 171; sophomore Jessica Henderson 143 and freshman Amber Beggs 135.
For six of the Lady Wildcats (Lizzy Cobb, Aubree Hodges, Marissa Bruinsslot, Alicia Sweeney, Sydney Urben and Erin Porteous) the quest to make the state finals continues Saturday afternoon as they bowl in the regional singles competition. The top 10 ladies from the regional move on to the State Singles finals next weekend.
“Once again, this is the toughest regional to come out of but all six girls have the ability to take a run at one of those 10 spots,” Holbrook said. “It will come down to who shoots their spares the best… as it always does!”
Urben qualified for the state tourney a year ago as a freshman and she finished 22nd.
PHOTO: Despite a disappointing regionals finish, the Lady Wildcats won three tournaments, were ranked fifth in the state and won the O-K Gold/Green co-championship.