The Wayland varsity boys’ bowling team knocked off first place Cedar Springs 22-8 Thursday afternoon.

Coach Sherry Miklusicak explained, “Again, our goal was set. We needed to take both baker games. A little research showed our average for bakers were slightly better than Cedar’s.”

The boys won the first baker game 175-140. In the second basker, the ‘Cats prevailed 193-156. Kyle VanEss had three of four strikes, Jayse Henkel had three of four marks as Aydin Tolliver, and anchor Chandler Caruso had filled every frame with four strikes and two spares (the anchor bowler gets a few extra rolls in the tenth frame when they mark).

“Now we were in their heads,” the Wildcats coach said. “I saw frustration and worry on the other team’s faces. But they are a team that doesn’t quit and they fought hard!”

Kyle VanEss took both his match points with games of 178 and 207. Jayse Henkel, has been hot lately and really stroking a great game, had a 189, taking his match point in game one and only losing match two by one pin. Seasoned veteran Stephen Harnish took his match points with a 173 and a stellar 235 game. Aydin Tolliver took match point one with a 186 and only lost his other match point by four pins.

Senior anchor Chandler Caruso had his hands full, as his opponent had 234 and 247, but every pin he (Caruso) gave us mattered toward total pins.

“We lost the first match total pins (873-864, so only nine pins), but won the second match (892-827) and had enough extra to take the combined two-game total as well,” Miklusicak said.

“Our JV boys team hasn’t had the opportunity to bowl against many schools this year because they don’t have JV teams. Tonight our JVs first baker game was a 187 which would have beat the starting varsity team!”

The jayvess included Zach Straub, Rylan Guppy, Malachi Kelly, Wil Dewing, and Dominik Baker.