MARSHALLTOWN – Each of Marshalltown’s five seniors took a turn in the catbird seat, and the final score reflected the importance of this group.

The Bobcat boys’ bowling team rolled its second-highest score of the season on Thursday, Jan. 8, at Wayward Social, screaming past Des Moines East for a 3,313-1,931 victory on Senior Night.

Marshalltown’s lineup, featuring five seniors, rotated through the five Baker games so that each of its veterans could bowl in the 10th frame. The end result was a final Baker score just below its season average and yet another Bobcat victory.

“Senior Night could not have gone much better,” MHS head coach Nate Clark posted on the team’s Facebook page. “With all bowlers except Cayden (Slifer) being seniors, it was a special moment watching them perform at home for one of the final times.”

The Bobcats (5-1, 5-1 Iowa Alliance) built up a 994-pin lead after individual play in which two of the seniors scored career-high series. Carter McCready rolled a 259-256-515 and Jayden Beichley, who bowls with the Bobcats for GMG, posted a 245-266-511 to lead the team, each of them recording their high games as well.

McCready’s 515 series is the 12th-best in Class 3A this season and Beichley’s 511 ranks 17th.

Aiden Cowan finished with a consistent 244-236-480, Gage Grieves shot 233-168-401, and Slifer scored the fifth counting series of 178-201-379. Porter Niedermann closed with a 209 game in his 377 series as well.

“Our target going into the night was 3,250, and the team came out focused, executed well, and built a strong lead through Round 1,” Clark wrote.

The Baker round was more than a mere formality. Clark put a different senior in the fifth spot in the rotation for each of the five games to celebrate the group.

“A key priority tonight was giving all five seniors the chance to bowl the 5-spot during Baker play,” Clark wrote. “We rotated that spot throughout the block, and each senior stepped up when called. The team stayed locked in, closed frames, and pushed the match total above our benchmark.

“Senior Night was a success on every level — strong scoring, team-first contributions, and meaningful moments for our seniors,” Clark added. “We are moving in the right direction and building positive momentum.”

Marshalltown resumes bowling on Tuesday with a triangular against Des Moines Lincoln and Newton at Bowlerama Lanes in Des Moines.