The Wayland boys bowling team came in first at the Division 2 regional tournament Thursday at Spectrum Lanes in Grand Rapids. The Wildcat girls, meanwhile, took second place, therefore enabling both local teams to qualify for the state tourney.
In order to emerge as regional champions, the Wildcat boys needed to beat Grand Rapids Christian by 106 pins in the last game of the day.
“It was pretty close most of the match,” said coach Sherry Miklusicak. “Wayland boys never gave up. We racked up some pins in the eighth, ninth, and 10th frames and beat them 913-760, well over the 106 pins we needed.”
Senior Dominik Baker rolled a 192 game, so he averaged 202 for the day. Raynie Arendsen relaxed and rolled a 19. Jayse Henkel rolled a 181, Louie Harnish 140 and Kyle VanEss 209 (giving him a 227 average for the two games).
Eight Baker games started the day and Wayland started out hot the first four games. The boys rolled games of 204, 212, 180, 187, 189, 152, 139 and 165.
“Baker was poised and focused today to lead his team,” his coach said. “He went 14 for 16 in his Baker frames today only missing the pocket once. That is 88% frames filled which consisted of nine strikes and five spares! That is senior leadership at its finest!”
Filling in at Wayland’s second spot in Baker games were seniors Wil Dewing and Raynie Arendsen. Raynie was 5 for 8 in Baker games.
Senior Jayse Henkel took the third spot and went 12 for 16, 75% of frames filled to boost the team. Miklusicak said, “He has put 110% into his game these last few weeks. Again, we benefited from some more senior leadership!”
Sophomore Louie Harnish went 11 for 16, starting the first two Baker games with 4 out of 4 strikes. He had 8 total strikes in his Baker games today.
“He has deep bowling experience. as he has bowled for years and comes from quite a bowling family!” Miklusicak noted.
Anchoring was Kyle VanEss, who took first place in the O-K Conference for high average with a 212. “He had 14 strikes and 7 spares with only 3 opens,” the coach said. As anchor, you get the 5th and 10th frames so that 10th frame can get you a few extra rolls of the ball when you strike or spare.”
After the first few Baker games Wayland had fallen from first to fourth place (its lowest spot of the day out of 13 teams). It was now a very tight battle between four teams with only a few pins separating them.
The Wildcats’ first game gave them 938 pins, which is a good score, but Grand Rapids Christian rolled 1017 which is a great score.
Dominik Baker (honorable mention in the O-K Gold Conference) rolled 212, Will and Raynie Arendsen combined for a 146, Jayse Henkel (honorable mention in the O-K Gold) 153, Louie Harnish (another O-K Gold all conference team), and number one in the OK Conference Kyle VanEss showed why he is anchor with a 245 game.
“We were fairly safe above the third and fourth place teams by 77 pins, as they were tied,” said Miklusicak. Wayland’s number crunchers were Jon VanEss and Jessica Harnish.
The coach beamed, “There is one thing about these boys is that they bowl as a team. By luck, I’m just so happy for these boys. They have put in so much work over the last four years. We practice nearly every day and they are fortunate to get extra practice most Sunday’s with coach Eric (Bottrall).
“There is one other person who is key to this team and that is Shane Hale. He has helped coach this team the past several years and I value his opinion. He is really good at watching where they line up on the lanes and where they are hitting their marks!
“I’m just so happy for these young men! They have created memories that will last a lifetime!”
Both teams will be representing Wayland at the state tournament next weekend at Century Bowl in Waterford.
Wayland boys 1st, girls 2nd in regionals
The Wayland boys bowling team came in first at the Division 2 regional tournament Thursday at Spectrum Lanes in Grand Rapids. The Wildcat girls, meanwhile, took second place, therefore enabling both local teams to qualify for the state tourney.
In order to emerge as regional champions, the Wildcat boys needed to beat Grand Rapids Christian by 106 pins in the last game of the day.
“It was pretty close most of the match,” said coach Sherry Miklusicak. “Wayland boys never gave up. We racked up some pins in the eighth, ninth, and 10th frames and beat them 913-760, well over the 106 pins we needed.”
Senior Dominik Baker rolled a 192 game, so he averaged 202 for the day. Raynie Arendsen relaxed and rolled a 19. Jayse Henkel rolled a 181, Louie Harnish 140 and Kyle VanEss 209 (giving him a 227 average for the two games).
Eight Baker games started the day and Wayland started out hot the first four games. The boys rolled games of 204, 212, 180, 187, 189, 152, 139 and 165.
“Baker was poised and focused today to lead his team,” his coach said. “He went 14 for 16 in his Baker frames today only missing the pocket once. That is 88% frames filled which consisted of nine strikes and five spares! That is senior leadership at its finest!”
Filling in at Wayland’s second spot in Baker games were seniors Wil Dewing and Raynie Arendsen. Raynie was 5 for 8 in Baker games.
Senior Jayse Henkel took the third spot and went 12 for 16, 75% of frames filled to boost the team. Miklusicak said, “He has put 110% into his game these last few weeks. Again, we benefited from some more senior leadership!”
Sophomore Louie Harnish went 11 for 16, starting the first two Baker games with 4 out of 4 strikes. He had 8 total strikes in his Baker games today.
“He has deep bowling experience. as he has bowled for years and comes from quite a bowling family!” Miklusicak noted.
Anchoring was Kyle VanEss, who took first place in the O-K Conference for high average with a 212. “He had 14 strikes and 7 spares with only 3 opens,” the coach said. As anchor, you get the 5th and 10th frames so that 10th frame can get you a few extra rolls of the ball when you strike or spare.”
After the first few Baker games Wayland had fallen from first to fourth place (its lowest spot of the day out of 13 teams). It was now a very tight battle between four teams with only a few pins separating them.
The Wildcats’ first game gave them 938 pins, which is a good score, but Grand Rapids Christian rolled 1017 which is a great score.
Dominik Baker (honorable mention in the O-K Gold Conference) rolled 212, Will and Raynie Arendsen combined for a 146, Jayse Henkel (honorable mention in the O-K Gold) 153, Louie Harnish (another O-K Gold all conference team), and number one in the OK Conference Kyle VanEss showed why he is anchor with a 245 game.
“We were fairly safe above the third and fourth place teams by 77 pins, as they were tied,” said Miklusicak. Wayland’s number crunchers were Jon VanEss and Jessica Harnish.
The coach beamed, “There is one thing about these boys is that they bowl as a team. By luck, I’m just so happy for these boys. They have put in so much work over the last four years. We practice nearly every day and they are fortunate to get extra practice most Sunday’s with coach Eric (Bottrall).
“There is one other person who is key to this team and that is Shane Hale. He has helped coach this team the past several years and I value his opinion. He is really good at watching where they line up on the lanes and where they are hitting their marks!
“I’m just so happy for these young men! They have created memories that will last a lifetime!”
.
Girls’ coach Eric Bottrall was just about as pleased with the day’s events, calling it “one of those days as a coach that I will never forget! We had that 20-minute conversation that should have only lasted five minutes. But you know me, I like to talk… “
Hastings, which is not in the O-K Gold Conference, took first.
“We fought hard and edged out Unity Christian by 29 pins. We had fought hard to beat them just a week ago for the O-K Gold Conference title!”
The ladies were consistent in their Baker games and saved their best game for last with a 179 game.
The ladies rolled team games of 722 and 659 to finish out the tournament.
“I think it went according to the plan,” the coach said. “Today these ladies accomplished what they set their mind to do! They believed in each other and kept their head in the game”It’s an honor to make the state finals and only two teams from each regional make it…
“It has been a privilege and an honor to say I coach at Wayland. This is truly a special group of ladies that I’m so proud of. The tears of joy I saw in their eyes and in their hearts show what kind of kids they are.”
Both teams will be representing Wayland at the state tournament next weekend at Century Bowl in Waterford.
