It Wednesday was Seniors’ Night, as the Wayland boys’ and girls’ bowling teams begin the process of bidding farewell to those among them who will graduate this spring.
The girls’ team defeat
ed Wyoming Lee 27-3 and finished their regular season with an overall record of 15-1, ranked fifth in the Division 2 state-wide poll. The Lady Wildcats will be saying good-bye to Aubree Hodges and Lizzy Cobb, who like the senior guys, were rolling in their last dual match of their high school careers.
The boys’ team won 25-5. Both contests were held at Airport Lanes.
The Lady Wildcats jumped out to an early 10-0 lead, taking both Baker games 164-101 and 177-95.
In the first team game, the ladies won 755-681 and took out 6 of 9 points to secure the win. Freshman Devin Bartell saw her first varsity match action and won her point, 128-122. In game two, the starters bowled their last match game together with the seniors and took nine of the last 11 points with a score of 849-669.
Cobb led the way with a 183-222=405 and Hodges had a 154-151=305. Other top scores include sophomore Marissa Bruinsslot 182, sophomore Sydney Urben 171 and sophomore Jessica Henderson 146.
“It was a great night and it was fun to watch the seniors in their last head-to-head match.,” coach Bill Holbrook said. “They both bowled solid tonight and the team really responds to them.
“They have both grown on and off the lanes so much since I started here three years ago. It’s been a lot of fun to watch them grow into the terrific young women they are now… Although head-to-head matches are done, we have plenty to accomplish with this team yet.”
The Wildcat boys defeated Lee with the actual score was 25.5 to 4.5. Lee started tough in the first of two Baker games, but Wayland came out ahead 172-170. Wayland stepped it up the next game, defeating Lee 203 to 146 as Austen Beggs struck out in the tenth frame. Wayland was up 10-0, a very familiar place to be in this year for the Wildcats.
Next came the individual games.
“We have fallen apart here in the past and tonight we had a couple of starters out due to injuries,” said coach Sherry Miklusicak.
The final score ended up 842-741 for Wayland. High score was by Austen Beggs with a 204.
The second set of games yielded a score of 712-673 and took all but 2 points this game.
“This game everybody got a chance to bowl so we could get a feel for next year,” the coach explained.
High game was by Nick Couterier with a 220.
“We will have a lot of work to do next year as our seniors had a winning effect on our team. We will miss: Nick Couterier, Jessie Miling, Austen Beggs, and Cameron Heintzelman.”
The boys and Lady Wildcats will compete in the Division 2 team regional at Continental Lanes in Kalamazoo Friday, Feb. 26, and Saturday is individual regional.
PHOTO: The Wayland boys’ and girls’ varsity senior bowling team members with coaches Bill Holbrook and Sherry Miklusicak (from left) senior Jesse Miling, senior Lizzy Cobb, senior Nick Couturier, senior Aubree Hodges, senior Cameron Heintzelman and senior Austen Beggs.