Girls bowlers win first match of season

FORT SMITH -- The Siloam Springs girls bowling team opened the season Thursday with a victory over Fort Smith Southside.

The Lady Panthers finished with 1,925 pins to 1,791. Siloam Springs won the first game 781 to 777 and then the second 861 to 804. The Lady Panthers then bowled baker games of 140 and 143.

Leading Siloam Springs were senior Baylie Mullikin 181, senior Chrystine Ingerson 153, junior Holly Green 149, junior Tessa Brown 147 (twice) and junior Savannah Middleton 140.

"I feel like it was a good start for us," said Siloam Springs head coach Ken Bolinger. "The girls did really well overall and have potential to improve. Most of the team is back, losing only two from last year's team. We have some younger girls, Hannah Barker, Sydney Smith, and Makayla Hanan that will push us forward."

The Panthers were defeated by Southside 2,595 to 2,306. Southside won the first game 998 to 957 and then the second game 1,164 to 961. Siloam Springs rolled baker games of 220 and 168, while Southside finished at 240 and 193.

Senior Nathaniel Brown rolled high games of 198 and 237, while sophomore Jordan Barker scored a 168 and 200, sophomore Jakob Elledge 198 and junior Angel Noyola 188.

"The boys took a big hit from last year, losing six of the top eight varsity members," Bolinger said. "We have room for improvement and as the season progresses we will improve."

The Panthers' junior varsity hosts Lincoln on Monday at Community Lanes in Siloam Springs, while the varsity and junior varsity compete against Elkins on Tuesday in Fayetteville and then again Thursday against Bentonville at Fast Lanes in Lowell. All matches begin at 4 p.m.

Sports on 12/10/2017