The Lady Wildcats bowlers kicked off their 2015/16 season Saturday afternoon by finishing fifth at the Wyoming Invitational at Spectrum Lanes.

There were 19 ladies teams and the Lady Wildcats improved from last year in which they failed to make the final eight for bracket play by qualifying second with a score of 2427. Unfortunately, they ran into a suddenly hot Sparta team in the firstst round of bracket play, ending their day 323-305.

The Wayland boys’ team, in coach Sherry McClusicak’s debut, finished 12th among 20 teams at the same time. The Wildcat boys rolled a combined score of 2607. Lowell won it with 3101.

The Wayland girls’ combined score was second best in the opening round, bested only by Hudsonville and one better than third-place Rockford.

Senior Lizzy Cobb started her season strong with a 212 game. Sophomore Sydney Urben picked up where she left off last season by placing 2nd on the All-Tournament team with 192-205=397.

“Although the team struggled all day with spare shooting, they averaged a solid 154 in their 8 Baker games,” said coach Bill Holbrook. “I am proud of how well they competed today and feel this was a very solid start to our season, even if it didn’t end the way we wanted. I think this fairly young varsity team (two seniors, four juniors and four sophomores) is beginning to believe they could be a team to be reckoned with this year.”

Next up will be a home match at 3:30 p.m. Monday against vs Zeeland East.

PHOTO: Sydney Uren was named to the all-tournament team at the Wyoming Invitational.