Wayland boys’ varsity bowling coach Sherry Miklusicak Sunday evening remarked, “I am beyond ecstatic!” with the news one of the winningest coaches in the state has applied for the open girls’ position at Wayland.
Eric Bottrall, who has guided bowling teams at Byron Center and Caledonia for 18 years, has applied for the post vacated earlier this month by Mike Omness, who was filling in for a year and half to keep the program going. Omness already is busy enough as assistant principal at Wayland High School.
“Our new coach to be is an incredible bowler,” Miklusicak said. “I have been after him for a few years. He bowled with my dad (Frank Rybiski) for years and he is a Wayland graduate.”
Bottrall works in children’s food services at Kentwood schools and attended Grand Rapids Community College after graduating from Wayland in 1997.
It appears he is an excellent fit because his daughter will be a freshman and is expected to be on the Lady Wildcats’ roster next winter.
Bottrall has won statewide coach of the year accolades twice and is assistant coach with Davenport University. His overall dual match record over 18 seasons is 151-37-1, for an 80% winning percentage.
Miklusicak said he also organizes the State Games for bowling at Spectrum and runs a Regional Tune-up Tournament at Spectrum for the local high school bowlers. He is a former employee Spectrum Lanes as well.
He and his wife, Shaunna, and daughter live in Dorr.
COVER PHOTO: The Bottralls of Dorr, including parents Shaunna and Eric.
