The Wayland girls’ varsity bowling team concluded its O-K Gold/Green Conference season Monday with a 23-7 victory over Byron Center.

The Lady Wildcats, ranked No. 5 in the statewide Division 2 poll, finished the regular season with a 15-2-1 record overall. Both losses were to league rival Zeeland, a team that combines Zeeland West and Zeeland East high schools.

Wayland’s effort started a little shaky by losing one of two Baker games, and losing total Baker points. The Lady Wildcats struggled as Byron girls seemed to be performing a bit better than last time they bowled against them.

However, the Lady ‘Cats quickly transformed the contest in individual match play. The first individual game consisted of a solid 928 pin count to Byron’s 735. The second consisted of a lower (but still winning) score of 812 to BC’s 707.

Leading scores in individuals were:

• Junior Captain Marissa BruinsSlot with a 221+160=381.

• Anchor Captain Sydney Urben with a 213+177=390.

• Senior Captain Alicia Sweeney with a 173+184=357.

• Senior Erin Porteous with a 174+136=310

Other contributing single game scores consisted of junior Jessica Henderson with a 155 and sophomore Mackenzie Banas with a 147.

“Though we lost 7 points to the improving Byron Center team and got off to a slow start, today was a very solid day for the girls,” said BruinSlot. “We have a lot coming up as we await our beloved Coach Bill’s (Holbrook) arrival in just a short week and a half! These girls have a lot to be proud of, and a lot to look forward to in the rest of the season!”

Next up the ladies hope to show how much their hard work has payed off at the Post Conference Tournament this weekend at Park Center Lanes.

PHOTO: (Courtesy of Terry Ellis) Junior Capt. Marissa BruinSlot