The Wayland girls’ varsity didn’t make the cut for match play Saturday in the Jenison Invitational for the first time in quite a spell.
The Lady Wildcats wound up in sixth place and rolled scores of 805 and 809 in the individual match competition, including:
- Sydney Urben (who placed fifth on the all-tournament) with: 195+197=392.
• Mackenzie Banas with: 170+147=317.
• Marissa Bruinsslot with: 155+152=307
• Amber Beggs with: 153+153=306. - Jessica Henderson with: 132+160=292.
Wayland’s Baker scores were145+157+149+194+170+157.
Combining totals from individuals and Bakers, the Lady Wildcats fell just short of the cut today by 21 pins.
Senior Co-captain Marissa Bruinsslot said, “Sometimes we fall short. Sometimes we can’t make up pins. But that’s okay. The lesson we learn in the end is valuable. We need to continue striving towards our best bowling. We cannot merely expect to qualify every time. Bowling doesn’t work like that.”
• Joe Laidler 179-111. “This is only the second year Joe has been with the team and had a respectable first game and he keeps working hard at practice. He has a nice strike ball and gets a good share of them.”
• Jordan Peters 137-173. “While these games may not be his best he sure rocked the house with his performance in our Baker games today! He marked in 11 of his 12 Baker frames which is amazing. Even more amazing is one of his spares was a 4-6-10 split conversion. Now you just don’t witness that one everyday!”
• Bryan Franck 205-148. “Bryan’s games were actually better than his scores show – rocked the pocket a lot, but things like crazy 7-10 pin leaves on great shots, solid 9 pins, etc. plagued Bryan.”
• Dylan Roberts 209-161. “He is really showing progress and he will continue to improve with help from his mom (Kristin Roberts), grandmother (JoAnn Goggins), and his coach. Dylan was having a pretty good Baker match himself, but coach tried him in a new position at the end of the tournament and the pressure was good experience and hopefully a little fun?”
• Dillon Smith 177-150. “Dillon has always came through for us, but hey, he is human! Still not terrible scores, just not scores he is used to. Don’t worry, his father Tim Smith, and his coach will get him back on track if he doesn’t do it himself first).
“Dillon is a such a valuable asset to his coach this year, as he helps the other bowlers with his knowledge of the game. He has such a calm non-threatening way of working with other bowlers. Dillon is truly liked by everyone on the team and even the girls team really likes him.”
Hunter Osborn and Mike Cole saw a few Baker frames as well.
“Mike came through covering both of his frames which is really tough to do after not bowling in the individuals,” Miklusicak said.
Wayland’s matches will both be home this week. On Monday the ‘Cats face a very tough, well coached, and undefeated Byron Center team and Wednesday very respectable Forest Hills Eastern.
