Hansen, Holmes lead Cardinal bowlers at Newton Invitational

Newton’s girls bowling team and Waukee were separated by 113 pins during the Newton Invitational on Saturday. And the Cardinals were less than 100 pins in front of Mason City.

There was good competition overall at Cardinal Lanes and Newton’s girls finished second in the five-team field.

The Cardinal boys were fifth in the six-team field despite David Holmes turning in a top-six performance.

“It was great to see everyone back this year,” Newton bowling coach Christie Hughes said. “The cheering was really motivating to the bowlers.”

Waukee won the girls team title with a score of 2,465. Newton rolled a  2,352 and Mason City was third with a 2,269. Oskaloosa (1,755) and Knoxville (1,601) completed the field.

Waukee had a 44-pin advantage over Newton in the Baker Games. But the Cardinals were 69 pins better than Mason City in the final round.

“The girls held steady today,” Hughes said. “They continue to make adjustments to their shots.”

Waukee’s boys also won the team title as they rolled a 2,668. Oskaloosa (2,443) was next followed by Knoxville (2,370), Mason City (2,361), Newton (2,255) and Isaac Newton (1,835).

Bailey Hansen continues to lead the Cardinal girls and her 352 series was good enough for a tie for third. She had individual games of 190 and 162.

Libbie Keith placed seventh with a season-best 333 series after rolling single games of 138 and a season-best 195.

The rest of the Cardinals’ varsity team included Genessa Slings (317), Beka Weithers (287), Marissa Daughtrey (276) and Kaitlyn Gifford (257). Slings’ two individual games were 156 and 161. Gifford’s second game was a career-best 159.

Waukee’s Adrian Steinmetz won the individual title with a 379 series. Hailee Wendel of Mason City was five pins (357) better than Hansen in second.

David Holmes registered his best career varsity finish as he rolled a career-best 374 series to finish sixth. He had single games of 183 and a career-best 191.

“David Holmes bowled phenomenally with two games that resulted in a great series,” Hughes said. “He has improved tremendously as a two-handed bowler. He continues to work on consistency.”

Logan Bown was next for Newton with a 307 followed by Sebastian King (291), Owen Muhs (281), Evan Benac (280) and Dallas King (239). Sebastian King, Muhs and Benac all recorded season-best scores for a series. Sebastian King also had a season-best single game of 180, Benac rolled a career-best 156 and Muhs’ single game of 148 also was a career-best.

Newton rolled a 722 in the Baker Games. Austin Kennedy and Andrew Wiles were inserted into the lineup for Benac and Dallas King in the final round.

“Our boys struggled today. The shots just weren’t there,” Hughes said.

Notes: Last year’s Newton Invitational was canceled due to weather. … The Cardinals get a rematch with Knoxville at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Cardinal Lanes in Newton.