Free State senior Weatherly Butler competes against Lawrence High in the city bowling showdown. Lawrence High's girls and Free State's boys won the team titles Thursday at Royal Crest Lanes.

Lawrence High freshman Alexah Gudenkauf competes in the city showdown with Free State High. The LHS girls and the FSHS boys won Thursday at Royal Crest Lanes.

With Lawrence High’s top girls bowler sidelined, Jessica Wyatt knew she had to step up her game.

The junior bowler led Lawrence to a 1,892-1,889 victory against Free State High on Wednesday afternoon at Royal Crest Lanes.

“It’s nice for the team to know that we can pick each other up like that if a player is hurt,” Wyatt said about Tiffany Demaline, who didn’t bowl Wednesday because of a strained back. “I knew I had to carry a little bit extra weight. I felt a little bit of pressure.”

The Free State boys team evened the meet with a convincing 2,591-2,270 victory against the Lions. With the split, LHS held a 7-6 lead in the World Company Cup all-sports standings.

Wyatt bowled a 197 in her first game, then dipped a little to a 147 in the second game. She closed the meet with a 213 in the third game to help clinch the Lions’ victory. Wyatt bowled the top girls series with her 557.

“To finish with a 213, that’s a clutch performer right there, to have your best game in the third one when it mattered,” Lawrence bowling coach Greg Farley said of Wyatt.

So what was Wyatt’s secret to such a turnaround? It started with technique.

“I moved my mark on the floor a little bit to the left,” Wyatt said of the third game. “The oil pattern changes after bowling on it for a little bit, so the last couple of games, you have to adjust to it.”

Throughout the meet, Lawrence and Free State bowlers displayed sportsmanship by congratulating each other after positive shots. There wasn’t any visible trash talking, but let’s be honest – it’s the Lions against the Firebirds.

“It’s amazing – I’m not going to lie,” Wyatt said about defeating Free State. “Before we were about to bowl, I heard the girls saying they lost last year, and they were going to beat us this year. It makes you want to do that much better and prove yourself.”

Lawrence High’s girls defeated Free State last season as well.

Becca Stack (475 series) and Malory Hughes-Pfeifer (445 series) rounded out the top three LHS scores on Wednesday.

Free State senior Melissa Burnside was the top Firebird bowler with a 513 series.

On the boys side, Free State freshman Robert Wagner was the top varsity bowler with an all-time high 682 series.

“Being a lefty helps out because no one else is a lefty out here,” Wagner said. “The oil doesn’t break down as quickly.”

Wagner said his pace differed from most other bowlers’.

“The key for me is keeping a slow shot and having slow feet,” Wagner said. “Spares help out a lot, too. You can strike all you want, but if you leave something, you have to pick it up to help your score. Spares keep you in it.”

Free State coach Anita Carlson said she expected Wagner to better his scores as he gained experience this season. On Wednesday, Wagner certainly didn’t look like a freshman.

“Today, he was hitting his target and following through – very smooth, relaxed and comfortable,” Carlson said. “That’s what you see with bowlers who are getting used to match play and getting out there with other bowlers who are older. I’m really looking forward to seeing him grow over the years.”

Seniors Kenny Altman (674 series) and Werner Nelson (621 series) rounded out the top three Firebird bowlers.

Lawrence freshman Tanner Kilmer was the top Lions bowler with a 602 series.