Lawrence High might have served as host to the second prep varsity bowling meet ever at Royal Crest Lanes on Tuesday, but the Lions’ inaugural outing was second to none.

A fired-up group of LHS bowlers displayed its excitement for a large gathering of parents, friends, and supporters as both the girls and boys teams swept Olathe South and Overland Park Aquinas.

“I really can’t believe that we are bowling for our school,” said LHS senior Tyler Demaline, who tied for the individual boys high with a score of 632.

“I’m actually kind of mad that it couldn’t have come earlier in my career, though. I would have loved the opportunity to bowl for four years.”

That concept was not lost on LHS freshman Jessica Wyatt, one of three freshmen who helped give the Lions their first victory with a team total of 1,963. The LHS boys won with a tally of 2,229.

“We’re all very lucky that this sport came around for us,” said Wyatt, who, before bowling became a state-sanctioned sport, would spend her Saturday mornings at Royal Crest.

“It was a little different today with all the people around. You could tell that people were nervous,” added Wyatt, whose cousin, David, bowled a 579 for the LHS boys. “Everyone was taking it very seriously, but we also we’re having a lot of fun.”

Lawrence High's Jeremy Smith approaches the lane as he bowls in the varsity event. The Lions won their first home meet Tuesday at Royal Crest Lanes.

Maybe no one more than LHS freshman Tiffany Demaline, who rolled the highest single game total for any LHS boy or girl with a 249.

“That had to be the day’s highlight,” LHS coach Greg Farley said of Demaline, who scored a three-game total 588, but had seven straight strikes in her second game. “She was really on and having a good time.

“After the initial start, everybody loosened up, I thought,” Farley added. “You could tell that the kids were much more comfortable playing at home today.

“In our first outing, we were a little out of sync, but today everyone got comfortable real quick, and I think that confidence showed throughout our scores.”