The drought has ended for the Ankeny boys’ bowling team.
The squad defeated visiting Johnston in a CIML Conference dual meet on Thursday at B-Roll Bowling. They won by a score of 2,225 to 2,071 to end a streak of 26 consecutive losses.
“I believe that was their first win in three years,” said Ankeny coach Adam Booth. “They were pretty jacked.”
The last victory for the boys’ team came against Valley on Jan. 12, 2023. Senior Gavin Johnston was a freshman on that team who bowled a 410 series against the Tigers, who lost by just two pins.
Johnston also played a key role in Thursday’s win. He bowled a 307 series.
“Gavin started us out hot in the first game of individual, and that momentum carried over to the baker game,” Booth said. “We rolled a 190 in that first baker game and never looked back. I’m proud of the hard mental and physical work the boys have put in.”
Sebastian Cook led all the boys with a 325 series. Preston Carr bowled a 304, Clayton Jamison had a 250, George Inman rolled a 245, and Noah Larson added a 198.
Ankeny improved to 1-2 in the conference and 1-3 overall. The Dragons’ records fell to 0-3 and 0-4.
Johnston won the girls’ meet by a score of 1,936 to 1,893. It was the first win for the Dragons, who are now 1-3 in the league and 1-4 overall.
Ankeny’s records fell to 0-4 and 0-5.
“The girls competed hard, but just came up short by 43 pins,” Booth said.
Olivia Harris led all the girls with a 322 series. Brooklyn Dietz bowled a 290, Kylie Morgan had a 238, Ava Johnson rolled a 231, Piper Zeman had a 187, and Willow Zeman finished with a 181.
“It was a great ending before the break,” Booth said.
The Ankeny teams will now have three weeks off before facing Valley in another conference dual meet on Jan. 8 at Warrior Lanes.
