The Ankeny girls’ bowling team posted a season-high score on Tuesday, but it wasn’t enough to lead the squad to its first victory.
Ankeny lost to visiting Ames by a score of 2,166 to 2,029 in a non-conference meet at B-Roll Bowling. It marked the first time in three meets that the girls’ team surpassed a total of 1,900.
“The girls have been improving every single week,” said Ankeny coach Nick Payton. “I am proud of their determination to work together as a team. They are consistent with wanting to be better technicians in the sport of bowling. Every week the varsity girls demonstrate that they are working through skill-building to be better as a team and individually.”
Olivia Harris led the team with a 331 series, matching her season-high total. Lili Sinclair bowled a 266, Savannah Dye had a 254, Kali Ogg rolled a 229, and Brooklyn Dietz had a 219.
The Little Cyclones also won the boys’ meet by a score of 2,365 to 2,318. It was the second close loss in three meets for Ankeny, which opened its season on Nov. 30 with a 12-pin loss to Johnston.
“The boys are continuing to take steps forward to find their niche in understanding reading the lanes,” Payton said. “I am proud of their determination to analyze the game of bowling.”
Sam Tigges led the squad with a 351 series. He raised his average to 341 on the season.
Kole Jordan bowled a 340. Jamal Miller had a 327, Jackson Roberts rolled a 320, Gavin Johnston had a 304, and Jarrett Hansen added a 300.
Both Ankeny teams dropped to 0-3 overall heading into Thursday’s non-conference meet against Greene County at B-Roll Bowling. The Ames boys’ team improved to 3-1 on the season, while the girls’ squad evened its record at 2-2.
Payton said all of his teams are showing improvement.
“The JV boys have done a phenomenal job in competing every single week,” he said. “Last week vs. Valley they earned their first win. They bring great spirit and sportsmanship each week in competition.
“And the JV girls, even though we do not have a complete team in bakers games, have beaten some teams with only three girls to other teams with five girls. Last week vs. Ames, our JV girls beat their team in the bakers competition,” he added.
