Wayland High School bowling
coach Sherry Miklusicak probably couldn’t have asked for a better Opening Night for her.
Miklusicak, who now is guiding both the boys’ and girls’ teams, with help from Mike Omness, because of the departure of girls’ coach Bill Holbrook for the collegiate ranks, oversaw two huge victories Monday over East Grand Rapids, 30-0 for the girls and 28-2 for the boys.
“I am surprised there was any snow left in the parking lot tonight after the hot bowling of Wayland’s varsity teams!” the coach exclaimed.
The Lady Wildcats are undefeated, but once tied. The boys, though an extremely young and inexperienced group, registered their second dual match win of the season.
The lads got off their first Baker game on a positive note, winning 158-94 and rolled a 162 to take the second.
“It is noteworthy that our first seven frames of Baker game two (the Wildcat boys) had all their pins knocked down (no opens) – a notable improvement,” she said referring to her team’s recent struggles in that department.
Jordan Peters led off the first game with a 174 and Bryan Franck rolled a 155. It was Dillon Smith, however smacking a superb 246 game that excited the crowd as Wayland defeated East Grand Rapids 853-445. In game two Dylan Roberts stepped in with a fine 180 game “which is pretty good for a first-year bowler,” Miklusicak said.
Game two ended with Wayland on top 758 – 536, yielding the Pioneers’ only two points of the night by a mere 17 pins.
The coach said she appreciated the help of alumni Austen Beggs and Cameron Heintzelman, “now old men who miss the game terribly…”
Miklusicak said Holbrook will return to Wayland next March for regionals.
“As a coach, it is a luxury and at the same time difficult to have so many talented young ladies,” Miklusicak said. “I try to watch the 10 minutes of warm up frames and determine my starting line-up (of course, with previous input from Coach Holbrook). If someone struggles we always have girls waiting to get their chance to show their stuff. The problem is how to give others a chance to bowl when someone else isn’t struggling.”
Wayland started both Baker games with doubles, but a couple of easy single pin spares held scores down a little. Wayland still came out on top with games of 155-88 and 161-88. Marissa Bruinsslot had 3 of 4 strikes in her portion of the Baker games and Mackenzie Banas added two strikes.
In game one the girls defeated EGR 970-484 and game two 795-399. Bruinsslot continued her hot hand and stroked incredible 246 and 214 games, leading all players tonight. Following Marissa was Sydney Urben with 245-186, Erin Porteous 168-145, Mackenzie Banas 155, and Alicia Sweeney 156.
“It is East Grand Rapids inaugural year for their girls’ team,” Miklusicak said. A shout out to their girls’ team for having such positive attitudes and good sportsmanship. It can’t be easy to walk into a team’s home house knowing the winning and competitive reputation the girls have worked so hard for!”
The coach reserved special comments for the help from her father, Frank Rybiski, “the legend.”
“Frank will help people who ask for help,” she said. “For our new parents who do not know him – he is very well known in the Grand Rapids area for his bowling talents. He is a member of the Grand Rapids Bowling Hall of Fame, has numerous 300 games and 800 series, and actually was a pinsetter before there were machines.
“He still bowls actively four or five times a week and will be helping us when he isn’t bowling. I think he was having a lot of fun with game one especially watching Marissa Bruinsslot, Sydney Urben and Dillon Smith with their 240-plus games. He was high-fiving and giving positive comments.”
Girls’ varsity player Alicia Sweeney quipped, “I think Frank has finally come out of his shell tonight!”
PHOTO: Wildcat bowling coach Sherry Miklusicak took a trip down memory lane Monday at Airport Lanes, as she was called on to fix problem with the pins. Miklusicak and her father, Frank Rybiski, were pin setters in the place in their younger days. (Photo courtesy of Terry Ellis)