The Brandywine boys bowling team captured the Southern Lake Michigan High School Bowling Conference championship after coming up just short the previous two years.

And also the Bobcats did not qualify as a team for the state finals this coming weekend, Brandywine will be represented by Derek Lloyd, Dustin Ward and Rebecca Collins.

Collins finished second at the regional held in Kalamazoo at Pinz Bowling Alley.

Lloyd placed fifth and Ward seventh.

“After losing conference the last three years in a roll off, we came in this season with the goal to win without a roll off,” said Brandywine coach Pepper Miller. “Coming into the last meet leading the conference 5-1, we told the boys to stay focused. They responded well and we finished the conference 7-1 and conference champions.”

Collins, a junior, had the second highest average in the league at 147. She placed second at regionals and will be making her first trip to the state finals being held at Royal Scot in Lansing Friday and Saturday.

“She has worked hard and really improved at the end of conference,” Miller said.

“Her average for regionals was 170. I believe with her work ethic and determination she could bowl even better and has a great chance of making the top 16.”

Lloyd, also a junior, had the highest league average for the boys with a 189. He finished fifth at regionals with a

“I believe if he can at least bowl his average or higher he could make the top 16 to move on to the next round at state,” Miller said. “This is his second time qualifying for state tournament  (first since his freshman year), I think his experience will help with the pressure that come being in a big tournament.”

Ward is a sophomore who averaged 164, which was fifth highest in the league this year. He was seventh at regionals.

“Dustin bowled well at regionals and has really improved on his ability to pick up 10 pins,” Miller said. “He bowled above his average at regionals and I think taking this momentum into state gives him a good chance of making the cut.”