Wayland High School junior Kyle VanEss finished tied for 19th among the 56 boys’ bowlers who qualified for the Michigan High School Athletic Association individual state finals Saturday at Century Lanes, Waterford.

He missed the cut down to 16 bowlers for the next round by only seven pins. The 16th-place finisher knocked down a total of 1,164 pins, VanEss dropped 1,157 over the six games.

He rolled games of 201, 192, 169, 209, 208 and 178.

Junior Haven Baker also qualified for the state tourney from Wayland. She finished 43rd among the 56 rollers. Her scores were 162, 134, 156, 156, 176 and 173 for a total of 957.

Coach Sherry Miklusicak said, “I need to tell you how proud we are of our bowlers. Kyle only started bowling three years ago. Many kids compete (at the state tournament) with many more years under their belt.  

“I know he is thinking back to the very few mistakes he made. At this level, it’s tough competition.  

Kyle has amazing work ethic and composure. I think it is his composure that is most admired. I have seen plenty of hotheads, full of attitude. Kyle doesn’t get down on himself and always has a smile on his face.”  Miklusicak also had high praise for the Wildcat junior’s sportsmanship.

“Finding a true gentleman on the lanes in our era of entitlement is hard to find, yet Kyle is the first to give an opponent a high five for a good shot or a dose of support and encouragement,” she said. “Other kids know him and there is mutual respect between this elite group of young men.”

VanEss will be bowling Sunday at Spectrum in the Meijer State Games.

The coach concluded, “A shout out to all the parents that came to support our two finalists. I am pretty sure Wayland was the most represented district there.”