—Messenger photo by Britt Kudla The Fort Dodge boys bowling team holds up its team trophy after winning the CIML Iowa Conference Meet at Ridgewood Lanes on Friday. For more photos, visit CU at messengernews.net

The Fort Dodge boys took a regular season of frustration out on the CIML Iowa Conference field Friday at Ridgewood Lanes, as the host Dodgers secured the championship to avenge a winless league dual campaign.

Spearheaded by Jayden Ray’s runner-up performance and Kaleb Anderson’s bronze-medal effort, Fort Dodge took the title with a 3,042 team score. Southeast Polk (2,960) was second, and Marshalltown (2,911) claimed third.

On the girls’ side, the regular-season champion Dodgers placed third (2,646) — just behind Marshalltown (2,687) and Waukee (2,672). Defending state queen Leah Sanck was fourth, and sophomore Alexis Kenney took seventh.

Ray, a sophomore, rolled games of 252 and 223 for a 475 series total. Anderson, a junior, had a 258 and a 213 for a 471 score.

“The boys finally put it all together, which is what we knew they’d been capable of all year,” FDSH head coach Nick Vinson said. “We’ve had a lot of close (dual) losses (including four by less than 90 pins against CIML Iowa opponents), so it was great to see the guys break through and build some momentum (heading into districts).

“Jayden had a great day, but he’s been steady for us all season long. And Kaleb did what Kaleb does. I think it means a lot to these kids mentally that they were able to see their potential; posting that score was big for their confidence. We knew they had it in them.”

Freshman Carson Werning (198-212–410, 7th) and senior Tre Preston (215-189–404, 10th) were also in the Top-10 for the Dodgers.

“Carson and Tre have a lot of potential,” Vinson said. “Carson’s getting back in the range of where he can be on a regular basis because he has a ton of talent, and Tre’s rounding back into form (after rejoining the squad mid-season). To have four kids in the Top-10 was really big for our program.”

David Folsom (25th with a 177-161–338) and Brady Graves (29th at 138-183–321) were in the Top-30 as well.

Sanck, a senior, bowled a 236-173–409. Kenney turned in a 190-171–361.

“The girls were so close,” Vinson said. “It was kind of the opposite of the boys. We didn’t have a great day in singles on the girls’ side, but we really came on in Bakers (Fort Dodge had a tourney-best 968 in the Baker competition). It just wasn’t quite enough, but we got within almost 40 pins (of the top).

“Leah did well, and Alexis is really hitting her stride, which is terrific to see. (Senior) Kat (Flores) was solid (16th with a 152-159–311), and both (freshman) Aryssa (Lumsden, 21st at 144-160–304) and (sophomore) Lexi (Hanson, 23rd at 136-157–293) improved. They did really well in Bakers. We’re right there.”

Fort Dodge’s state-qualifying meet is Tuesday in Le Mars.

CIML IOWA CONFERENCE MEET

(At Ridgewood Lanes)

Boys Team Standings — 1. Fort Dodge 3,042; 2. Southeast Polk 2,960; 3. Marshalltown 2,911; 4. Waukee 2,880; 5. Mason City 2,782; 6. West Des Moines Valley 2,665.

Fort Dodge — Jayden Ray, 2nd, 252-223–475; Kaleb Anderson, 3rd, 258-213–471; Carson Werning, 7th, 198-212–410; Tre Preston, 10th, 215-189–404; David Folsom, 25th, 177-161–338; Brady Graves, 29th, 138-183–321.

Girls Team Standings — 1. Marshalltown 2,687; 2. Waukee 2,672; 3. Fort Dodge 2,646; 4. Southeast Polk 2,381; 5. West Des Moines Valley 2,327; 6. Mason City 2,018.

Fort Dodge — Leah Sanck, 4th, 236-173–409; Alexis Kenney, 7th, 190-171–361; Kat Flores, 16th, 152-159–311; Aryssa Lumsden, 21st, 144-160–304; Lexi Hanson, 23rd, 136-157–293; Hailey Folsom, 36th, 98-98–196.