Both the Wayland varsity bowling teams lost Tuesday at Hudsonville to Zeeland East, the boys 20-10 and the girls 17-13.

Despite the verdicts, coaches Sherry Milusicak and Eric Bottrall said they were impressed with the Wildcat efforts.

“Our boys bowled very, very well tonight, yet still came up short for the win,” Miklusicak said. “I will let you be the judge of our bowling by looking at our scores.”

Wayland won the first baker game 182-177, lost the second, but went into match play with a 6-4 lead, picking up two points on total pins.

Jayse Henkel in match play rolled a 142 and 144, Kyle VanEss 179 and 191, Stephen Harnish 188 and 194, Aydin Tolliver 131, Dominik Baker 176 and Chandler Caruso led the Wildcats with a 202 and 183

We only lost the first match total pins by 14 pins – so close!” Miklusicak said. “We had a team total in game one of 847 pins and game two 890 pins.  It isn’t very often you lost those games as those are great high school team scores. Hold your head high men, I am proud of this great effort!”

Bottrall, after his girls lost, said, “Zeeland (the Chix) is a very good team and we’re glad we got to test ourselves against them today. Our ladies showed some grit today and are starting to gain some confidence in themselves.”

The Lady Wildcats shot their best two-game total for Baker 354 with a high game of 192.

“I can’t be more proud of them all,” Bottrall said. Scores for the day were Madison Bottrall 116, Summer Morrison 119, Juliette 129, Breanna Hyde 153, Izzy Botwinski 183, Haven Baker 189 and Kadence Bottrall 226.