It wasn’t Demitri Ferneau, injury returnee Xander Pickett or Dru Wilder. No, it was on-again, off-again varsity player Damon Borton who bowled a two-game score of 223-254-477 to pace Marshalltown in its 3,087-2,777 victory.

Dru Wilder was right behinds Borton, bowling 223-236-459 to finish second on the team for the night.

Coach DJ Wilder was very impressed with Borton’s performance, especially since he has been part of a rotating cast of bowlers in the No. 6 spot at varsity level.

“I’m just so impressed,” Wilder said. “It’s in him, he can do it. His problem is consistency, he’s just gotta get more consistent. He’s aware of that and he’s gonna be fine.”

T-R PHOTO BY NOAH ROHLFING

Rounding out the top five for the Bobcats was senior Dylan Cooper with a 411, Ferneau with a 389 and Pickett with a 377 on his return from injury. He sat out the last two bakers games as a precaution just to rest his wrist, Wilder said.

On the girls’ side, it was Madison Pickett who helped lead the Bobcats to a 2,562-2,053. Pickett rolled a 187-180-367, with Jordan May coming in second at 195-159-354. Iowa Central bowling signee Kylee Witt finished third with a 154-172-326, and she signed her letter of intent with the Tritons before the meet began. One of four seniors for the Bobcat girls, she said she’s hoping to use this year to help recruit more girls to join the program next year after she graduates.

Wilder said he was proud of Witt and the strides she’s made as a bowler and her qualities as a person, and to have yet another Bobcat sign up to play for a collegiate program is good for both Witt and for the Marshalltown program.

Sydney Dannen rolled a 134-184-318 and Emily Diggins rolled 159-140-299.

While Wilder said both teams have stuff in their games they’ll have to work out as the season rolls into its second half. He mentioned specifically that “reading the lane” is something that will have to improve for the teams to reach their peaks.

T-R PHOTO BY NOAH ROHLFING

“It’s just those types of reads and types of adjustments that comes with experience and comes with time on the lanes,” Wilder said. “That’s part of what I want to impart upon them, is to watch what the ball does and read and make the adjustments off that.”

Marshalltown visits Fort Dodge Thursday afternoon.