The Wayland boys’ varsity bowling team finished fourth out of eight teams at the Grand Rapids Christian Invitational Saturday and worked hard to beat out O-K Gold 7th ranked Thornapple Kellogg.

The Wildcats had to overcome a slow start on the Phantom Pattern at Park Center Lanes.

“This is an oil pattern that is more challenging initially because the oil is designed to last longer as the old Allen pattern would burn up quickly,” explained coach Sherry Miklusicak. “Challenge is to say the least in game one, and it wasn’t pretty” with two starters missing due to illness and other school-related commitments.

Senior Aydin Tolliver led with a 162 game, followed by senior Chandler Caruso’s 161 and Dominik Baker’s 139. Jayse Henkel, Kyle VanEss, and two freshmen that graciously came along in case help was needed and they did get a couple of frames

At the end of game one, Division 2 #1 ranked Grand Rapids Northview led the field with 963 pins. Wayland was in seventh out of eight teams – struggling with a 638. But the Wildcats didn’t give up and started to connect a little and bounced back with a 737 – still too low to dominate, but enough to bump them up to fifth place.

“The best part of game two was beating O-K Gold Thornapple Kellogg, which had defeated us earlier in the week,” Miklusicak remarked. “They were still above us in total pins, but we were closing in on that position.”

Game three showed another team increase. Kyle VanEss started rolling the ball well and led the team with a high game of 212, followed by Dominik Baker’s 178, Chandler Caruso 165, along with Aydin Tolliver and Jayse Henkel. Wayland was still in fifth place by only about three spares going into the baker games.

Baker game one had eight great frames out of the ten with marks and a nice 175 game which moved the ‘Cats up on TK. It was back and forth through the next three baker games. Game two was Wayland’s low baker game with 126, followed by 135 and 157. TK struggled and ‘Cats fought their way to fourth place, edging Middleville.

“Finishing in the middle of the pack, despite being down two starting bowlers is a pretty decent day and a good start,” the coach said. “What is more important than that is the great group of guys we have. A proud moment for Wayland Union Bowling came from a parent of another team. A mom couldn’t compliment our boys enough as she couldn’t get over the comaraderie these boys share. And it’s true – they really like each other. I have the pleasure of watching them grow into fine young men and they are becoming such great leaders!”