Wayland sophomore Sydney Urben punched her second straight ticket to the state Division 2 singles bowling tournament in Plymouth Canton by placing third Saturday in the regionals with a score of 1224 (204 average).

Senior teammates Lizzy Cobband Aubree Hodges and junior Alicia Sweeney came close, but both fell below the top 10 in their last games.

The Lady Wildcats bowled in a regional with the largest largest (17 teams) and arguably the strongest (five ranked schools) field in Division 2. Coach Bill Holbrook said the addition of Jackson and Jackson Northwest made this region much tougher and much larger.

The Wayland ladies got of to a slow start in game one, but began to pick it up in game two. After two games, all six girls were in the top 40 and three were in the top 25. After four games, Urben was in second, just pin out of first and Hodges was in ninth, two pins ahead of 10th. Cobb was just 50 pins out of the top 10 with two games to go.

After five games Urben was in first by nine pins and Hodges had slipped to 10th. After the sixth and final game the long wait for the 10 qualifiers to be announced began.

“We knew one was in the top five and two more were close and one more had an outside chance if scores continued to drop off,” Holbrook said. “Normally, if you average 170 in singles you will qualify for state. That was the case at every other Division 2 regional.  Some regions the scores were even lower than that.

“After the team event Friday, I told the ladies that they would probably have to average 180 at this years regional singles event because of the size and strength of the field. Three averaged 180-plus while a fourth averaged 174. Unfortunately, the scores were even higher than expected with the low qualifying score, 10th – 1119 – 186.5 average.”

As a result,  Hodges slipped from 10th to 15th, missing a trip to accompany her teammate to state by 31 pins with a score of 1088 (181 average). Junior Alicia Sweeney came on strong after a slow start to finish 18th, nine pins behind Hodges with a 1079 (180 average). Cobb also finished strong with a score of 1045 (174 average) and 21st place.

Junior Erin Porteous, in her first regional singles event, was consistent all day shooting 927 – 39th (154 average) while sophomore Marissa Bruinsslot (47th) struggled most of the day to find her form from the day before finishing with a score of 883 (147 average). All six Lady Wildcats finished in the top half of the field.

Urben qualified for the state singles tournament a year ago by finishing 10th the regionals.

“I don’t want to give the impression of sour grapes by pointing out the toughness of our regional, but so the ladies realize how good they really are,” the coach said. “Had they put these scores up in any other Division 2 Regional, the Lady Wildcats would be sending four to the state singles final. There is no shame in doing your best, bowling very well and coming up just short. You can walk out of the building with your head held high knowing you gave it your all and performed very well!

“I am so encouraged and proud of their performance and look forward to what the future holds for these amazing young ladies.”

PHOTO: Sydney Urban