The Wildcat varsity boy bowlers kept their undefeated record intact last week by defeating Ferndale 27-3.
After sweeping both baker games, the Wildcats ‘were sloppy and making a lot of mistakes,? according to Head Coach J.R. Lafnear.
Then, off the bench came Carter Anolick and Tanner Cartner.
Anolick filled frames and won his match 172 to 144 and Cartner tossed five strikes in a row to spark a team comeback. Luke DeLong also threw five of the last six strikes to help get the win. The Wildcats trailed by 70 pins, then rallied to win game one and the match 909 to 869. Eric Armbruster (229) and Cartner (225) led the way in game two. This improves the team’s record to 10-0 for the season.
‘Carter and Tanner picked us up tonight. They sparked a nice come-from-behind win in game one and got us on the right track,? Lafnear said. ‘The strength in this year’s team is its depth and it showed tonight.?
As for the Lady Cats, Lafnear said ‘not even the flu could stop the girls bowling team from Oxford.?
‘They were shorthanded and down to just five bowlers and beat the Ferndale team 29-1,? he said.
Stepping up and leading the team was freshman Claire Sandstrom who bowled a 225 game followed by a 184. Right behind Sandstrom was Abby Pappas with 192 and 196 and Megan Kessler with 198 and 166. Also winning points and bowling well were Anne Johnson (179 and 154) and Mackenzie Janssen (181).
The girls are now 9-0 on the season and tied with Lake Orion for first place in the OAA Red Division.?
‘The team bowled well tonight. They are getting contributions from everyone right now and that is the sign of a focused team,? Lafnear said. ‘They really have goals in mind and are striving towards them.?
Earlier in the week, both teams defeated Royal Oak.
According to Lafnear, after the boys fell behind Royal Oak they were needing something big to happen to get them back into the match.
Royal Oak shot baker games of 230 and 254 to Oxford’s 197 and 213 to take a 10-0 lead. Something big came from Co-Captain Luke DeLong. Luke fired 12 consecutive strikes for a perfect 300 game (see story on page 24), In one stretch, DeLong had 20 of 21 strikes over two games. The Wildcats rallied to win game one, then all five matches in game two to complete the comeback. DeLong won both of his matches as did Captain Eric Armbruster and Christian Cartner. Tanner Cartner and Carter Anolick also secured wins in the dramatic comeback.?
‘Luke has been tearing it up lately. No surprise he shot a 300 game tonight. He sparked an amazing comeback against a quality opponent. All our guys showed toughness in tonight’s match,? Lafnear said.
‘Royal Oak bowled outstanding in baker and had us reeling. That 300 game took a bit out of them and really sparked us. The boys really want the perfect season and tonight was a big step in getting it.?
Lafnear noted the boys are currently ranked fifth in the state’s coaches poll and sit atop the OAA Red Division
The Royal Oak girls bowling team proved to be no match for the strong Lady Cats.
Oxford swept the Ravens 30-0. Megan Kessler and Abby Pappas paced the Wildcats in the victory.
Kessler had games of 245 and 178, while Pappas shot 221 and 193. Co-Captain Hannah Farmer shot well with games of 202 and 173 as did Anne Johnson (156 and 177) and Claire Sandstrom (195).?
Oxford’s total score of 993 was a new season high.
‘The ladies are hitting on all cylinders right now,? Lafnear said. ‘We have seen all six members of the team shoot well the last few weeks. They have been putting in more time in practice and it is paying off.?