Chiefs bowling second at districts

WENATCHEE - Moses Lake girls bowling fell just short of its goal of a state tournament berth after finishing second at the Columbia Basin Big 9 District Tournament.

The Chiefs totaled 3,862 pins, 55 behind first place Wenatchee's 3,917.

Behind strong performances from Kim Mulder, Kayla Enriquez and Kayla Steffler, Moses Lake jumped out to an early lead after bowling 899 in the first game. Mulder racked up a team-high 196 pins in the first game.

"We had a conversation with the girls and it's like, 'Keep it together,'" head coach Billy Brice said. "If we can shoot our goal, 850, we're going to be in great shape and we can bridge the gap."

Moses Lake responded with 807 pins, falling behind Wenatchee and Eastmont after two games. The Chiefs were able to regain second place after game three and trailed Wenatchee by 89 points entering the series of seven Baker games.

After outscoring Wenatchee in the second, third and fourth Baker game, Moses Lake's rally fell short by 55 pins.

"As far as the team-wise, I'm very, very, very happy," Brice said. "The girls gave it all. We had Wenatchee sweating at one time."

Wenatchee's Bethany Symonds was the medalist, while Eastmont's Cheyann Greening and Meredith Mead grabbed the final two individual state berths.

Mulder and Enriquez were named to the All-Big 9 First Team, while Steffler and Mikayla Moreno earned second team honors.