It was another big day for Wayland bowlers Wednesday at Cedar Springs.
The Lady Wildcats defeated the host team and took over sole possession of first place in the O-K Gold Conference standings. Even more impressive was that four-year ace Kadence Bottrall set the school single game scoring record with a 299, only one pin shy of a perfect 300 game.
Meanwhile, the surging boys’ squad defeated league contender Cedar Springs for the second time this season, 21-9.
“Today we were at their house and we made it our house,” crowed coach Sherry Miklusicak.
Baker game one was a close game and was taken by the Wildcats 192-184.
“We faltered a bit in Baker two and lost 181-156,” Miklusicak said. “We lost the two game total as well so we were behind 6-4. We weren’t worried – just knew we had to work harder.”
Match one was all Wayland as it took the next 8 of 9 points and was now up 12-7. High games were turned in by Aydin Tolliver 219 and Chandler Caruso 179. Wayland’s team total was 866 to Cedar’s 795.
“We only needed three more points to tie and four to win,” the coach said. “Cedar had a ‘time out’ and came back very motivated, as they knew they needed to do very very well to defend their first place position in the O-K Gold or they would lose to Wayland for a second time this season.”
The Wildcats took 7 of the next 9 points and two more for the grand total.
Stephen Harnish rolled the high game with a 200.
“We are happy to have him back as he was super busy with the school play and competing for State Honors Choir,” Miklusicak said. “We have talented young men!
The Wildcats took the team total again, 842-806.
We still have a chance to take first place in the conference at the post-conference tournament next Friday,” Miklusicak said.
The boys now are 9-5 in dual matches overall and the girls are 13-1.
Besides all of the above excitement, Wayland’s jayvee boys had a match as well and won easily. Wil Dewing and Jayse Henkel (part-time varsity bowlers) led and anchored the team. Rylan Guppy, Malachi Kelly, Raynie Arendsen and Zach Straub contributed to the win.
The Lady Wildcats prevailed in a showdown between the top two teams i9n the league.
Each team took a baker game and Cedar got the total for the two baker games. In game one the ladies took 4 individual points and lost total by 6 pins but came back in game two and won 4 of 5 individual points and put a a very good team game of 955! So Wayland won won the match 18-12.
High games were turned in by Madison Bottrall,98, Breanna Hyde 162, Haven Baker 169, Juliette 170, Izzy Botwinski 183 and Kadence 299.
“This group of ladies really came together today and beat a very talented and great Cedar team in their house,” said coach Eric Bottrall. “Keep up the great work ladies and we still have some unfinished business coming up with post conference and we have a regional title to defend!”
