Lake Orion bowls way to sweep of Oxford
DOWN THE MIDDLE: Oxford's Heather Lafnear fires the ball down the lanes at Collier during Thursday's OAA match with rival Lake Orion. Courtesy Photo | Kirk Bearse, www.catsdenphoto.com
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
OXFORD — Talk about being in the zone.
Lake Orion’s Trae Bonds was definitely in another element Thursday afternoon. The senior fired the highest two-game total in the entire Oakland Activities Association bowling circles this season, picking up games of 267 and 275 for a 542 total to lead the Dragons to a 22-8 triumph over rival Oxford at Collier Lanes.
Lake Orion also won the girls match, 26-4, to give the Dragons the clean sweep.
“I was just having fun,” admitted Bonds, who fired 21 strikes on the day. “I was kind of in the zone. I was just trying to keep going. I had a 279 last year, so it’s nice to get back close to that. It was fun.”
It was fun for Lake Orion, which was swept by Oxford in a non-league match last season. The two schools are in the same league this season.
Lake Orion coach Kevin Crowther was excited to see his senior have a breakout game.
“This is first big game, his coming out party this season,” raised Crowther. “Hopefully, this will be the start of good things. He bowls really well here at Collier. He’s bowled here is whole life. We hope he can start to bowl this way on the road. He’s a good blower no matter where we bowl, but he’s best here. Unfortunately, this is the last match we have. The rest of them are on the road.”
Lake Orion and Oxford used to compete in the Northern Lakes League, but both left to join their normal conferences when they had enough bowling teams to sponsor the sport. They were reunited this season with Oxford’s move to the OAA from the Flint Metro League.
“A win is always nice, especially against Oxford, a neighboring town,” said Lake Orion coach Crowther. “Lake Orion-Oxford is always a big one, Lake Orion-Clarkston is also big. Anytime we can beat those schools in any sport, it’s a fun thing for the kids. They get a little bit more pumped up.”
Lake Orion’s boys, which moved to 3-2 on the year, split the Baker games with Oxford, taking the first game 210-163 only to see the Wildcats (2-2, 2-2) came back to win the second Baker game, 232-193.
Lake Orion led 6-4 following the Baker games heading into the head-to-head matches.
That’s where Bonds stole the show. Lake Orion’s Kevin Yang also had a strong day with a 437 total (204-232). Mike Brummitt also posted a 372 (173-199) for the Dragons.
Mitch Guzanek shot a 384 (224-160) and Brandon Barber a 379 (184-195) for Oxford.
By the end of match play, Lake Orion held a 2062-1705 edge, quite enough to pull away for the final team total.
Oxford has been one of the top teams in the Flint Metro League the past two years. Oxford’s girls were league runner-up last season, while the Wildcats boys finished third, but both squads suffered large losses to graduation.
Oxford only has a combined three varsity athletes back between both squads.
“We only had one boy come back from last season from a team that was top-15 in the state,” said Oxford coach J.R. Lafnear. “We went to the state finals and did well. This year we are really young. Our girls program, we have seven on varsity one only brought back two from last year. We were seventh in the state last year. We have some great young talent, and I’m excited where we’ll be in the future.”
Oxford’s girls are 3-1 on the year, but became Lake Orion’s fifth victim of the season. The Dragons were just too powerful this time around, dominating the match from start to finish.
“Our girls were top-10 in the state last year, and we haven’t lost yet this season,” said Crowther. “We still have to face Clarkston and Royal Oak, and they are both strong teams. I am pleased with how we have been playing.”
Lake Orion won both Baker games, 157-136 and 155-141 to go up 10-0 overall.
In the match play, Lake Orion posted wins of 865-713 and 832-769 for a total of 1578-1482.
Kate Gladstone led Lake Orion with a 416 (203-213), while Casey Baryla posted a 353 total (200-153).
Colleen Walter led Oxford with a 372 (179-193) and Heather Lafnear also broke 300 with a 309 (137-172) to pace Oxford.
Boys Bowling
LAKE ORION 22
OXFORD 8
Baker games: 1. Lake Orion 210-163; 2. Oxford 232-193; Total score: Lake Orion 403-395; Lake Orion wins, 6-4.
Regular games: 1. Lake Orion 997-894; 2. Lake Orion, 1070-811; Totals: Lake Orion, 2067-1705; Total points: Lake Orion, 16-4.
Individual games: Oxford: Brandon Barber, 184-195—379; Kevin Rein, 142-0—142; Mitch Guzanek, 224-160—384; Jason Petty, 0-162—162; Brandon Hurlburt, 202-162—364; Lake Orion: Josh Baryla, 0-193—193; Scott Chisholm, 191-171—366; Trae Bonds, 267-275—542; Kevin Yang, 205-232—437; Mike Brummitt, 173-199—372; Trevor Mielock, 161-0—161.
Girls Bowling
LAKE ORION 26
OXFORD 4
Baker games: 1. Lake Orion 157-136; 2. Lake Orion, 155-141; Total score: Lake Orion, Lake Orion 312-277; Lake Orion wins, 10-0.
Regular games: 1. Lake Orion, 865-713; 2. Lake Orion, 832-769; Totals: Lake Orion, 1578-1482; Total points: Lake Orion, 16-4.
Individual games: Oxford: Alyssa Hurtado, 105-132—237; Heather Lafnear, 137-172—309; Colleen Walter, 179-193—372; Alex Logan, 164-140—304; Caitlyn Wroblewski, 148-132—280; Lake Orion: Alicia Babiez, 194-156—350; Casey Baryla, 200-153—353; Kate Gladstone, 203-213–416; Courtney LeBlanc, 140-0—140; Split Duo, 128-131—259.
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Category: Lake Orion, Oxford, Prep Wraps
