March 19, 2024

Cardinal bowlers lose to Bobcats in opener

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Not picking up spares in bowling spells problems for high school bowling teams. Newton High’s girls and boys had trouble on the lanes at home Thursday against Marshalltown’s Bobcats.

“Marshalltown has one of the strongest boys’ teams in the state. Our girls weren’t able to overcome a sizable pin deficit after the individual games,” Newton head coach Seth Banwell said after Newton lost its season-opening dual at Cardinal Lanes.

The Bobcat boys, who return three bowlers from last year’s fourth-place team in the Class 3A state tournament, powered past the Cardinal boys by more than 400 pins. Marshalltown won 2,684-2,220.

In the varsity girls’ match up, Newton fell behind Marshalltown by 89 pins before going into the Baker Games. The Bobcats pulled out a 2,138-2,052 win over the Cardinal girls.

“The girls kept it close and out bowled Marshalltown in the Baker round, but it wasn’t quite enough to pull off the win,” Banwell said. “Both of our teams struggled converting our spares today.”

Junior Shaiden Simmons posted the top score for the Newton boys with a 321 on games of 180 and 141. Senior Reid Miller rolled a 311 (150-161) and freshman Alex Frymoyer had a 293 (148-145) in his first varsity high school competition.

Reece Thurmond, a junior, finished with a 279 on games of 114 and 165. Sophomore Cutter Benac had a 275 (146-129). Senior Sam Supino bowled a 273 (134-139) and did not compete in the Baker Games for Newton.

The Newton boys rolled a Baker round score of 741 on games of 184-162-129-115-151. Marshalltown’s Baker round total was 822.

Leading the Cardinal girls was junior Kayla Soper with a 302 with games of 148 and 154. Sophomore Alicia Miller posted a 297 (135-162) and sophomore Taylor Johnson had a 274 (124-150).

Junior Alyssa White rolled a 253 on games of 146 and 107 and junior Kaytie Hughes had a 228 (93-135). Senior Lizzy Coyle finished with a 226 (132-94) and did not compete in the Baker round for Newton.

In the Baker round, Newton rolled games of 157-114-166-136-125 for a pin total of 698. Marshalltown’s Baker Game pin count was 695.

“We need to do a better job hitting our targets and making the right adjustments to the lane conditions,” Banwell said. “We’ll learn from the meet and keep moving forward.”

Newton’s teams have time to do more work in practice before their next competition. The Cardinals host Des Moines North on Dec. 12 at Cardinal Lanes.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com