Cameron Heintzelman rolled a perfect 300 game for the Wayland boys’ bowling team Monday afternoon against Zeeland East.
The guys’ team, however, lost to the Chix 19-11.
The girls’ squad, meanwhile, defeated Zeeland East handily, 25-5.
The Wildcat boys won the first baker game 202-201, in which Heintzelman struck out in the 10th frame to force Zeeland to do the same for the win. Zeeland came up short with two strikes and an eight count in the tenth.
Wayland lost the second baker game 214-163.
Heintzelman shot his 300 in game one.
Coach Sherry Miklusicak said, “I started thinking after the first four frames…”wouldn’t it be nice if….” (taking a cue from an old Beach Boys’ song). Then I started praying a little as he went up in every frame. As he entered the 10th frame, I told him he better start singing his favorite song in his head so he could stay loose.”
But after all the excitement, Wayland lost momentum in game two.
“As a team, we were 210 pins below game one,” Miklusicak said. “As a coach, I am proud of their performance. Their baker game scores are above what we have been doing in practice and well above last Saturday’s matches in the Wyoming Invitational).
“We just need to work on not leaving easy spares standing to improve… The strikes will come as a team…. we just need those spares!”
Austen Beggs shot a 215 during the same game as Heintzelman’s 300
The Wildcat girls came out strong in the baker format, winning the first game 178-149 and the second 201-145 to take and early 10-0 lead. The top of the lineup, consisting of senior Lizzy Cobb (172) senior Aubree Hodges (185) and sophomore Marissa Bruinsslot (172) continued strong showings and paced a strong first individual game winning 826-823 and taking a 17-2 lead assuring the Lady Wildcats of a victory in their first match of the year.
“They team continued to bowl strong in the final individual game being led by junior Alicia Sweeney (219) and sophomore Makayla Konecny (200) to win the final game 843-804,” said coach Bill Holbrook. “Tonight the depth of this year’s team really showed with much better spare shooting and two very good baker games. It continued into the individual games with the top of the order pacing the team in the first game when the last two bowlers struggled to find their form. When the other three girls got their chance to bowl in the second game the team never missed a beat and closed the night in dominant fashion.
“This team is easily eight deep with solid contributions from top to bottom.”
Holbrook pointed out that Wayland has lost by overwhelming margins in the last years to a perennial strong team in Zeeland East.
“This was a great confidence boost for the team to see how their depth can really make a difference in a match.”
The girls’ coach added his and his team’s congratulations to Heinzelman’s feat.
The Wildcats will roll again Wednesday afternoon at Airport Lanes against neighborhood rival Hopkins.
PHOTO: Cameron Heintzelman and his proud coach, Sherry Miklusicak.