The Washington Demon boys’ bowling team (3-0 overall) overcame hurdles for their biggest victory in recent memory. Their latest performance Saturday in Mount Pleasant earned Washington a pair of wins on the lanes, scoring a meet best 2651 points in a triangular versus Mount Pleasant (0-1 overall; 0-1 Southeast) and West Central, Illinois.

Among the top performers at the meet was freshman Riley Lambert, who recorded a team-best 378 points in the two individual rounds. Head bowling coach Sandy Reighard says Lambert posted his numbers despite purchasing his bowling ball the morning before the event,” Riley made the trip to Muscatine (Saturday) morning to get a new ball, he never even had a chance to try the fit out in the store because he had to get back to make the bus.”

Reighard said the ball change was needed as Lambert’s hand outgrew the drill holes in his previous one, and his dad saw the coaches concern in his performance in youth league earlier in the morning. The new ball for Lambert wasn’t the only change facing the Demon bowlers this past weekend. The meet, which was scheduled for 1 p.m., started nearly three-hours late due to no oil being applied on the lanes. After a discussion, the coaches decided to delay the meet while they applied the substance by hand.

Despite the hiccups, Washington found themselves down 12 pins to the Mount Pleasant Panthers, a state qualifying team last season, entering the baker rounds. Washington outscored Mount Pleasant, 906-850 in the final five games, winning the conference tilt, 2651-2571.

Washington’s boys’ bowling team will return to the lanes Saturday, battling the Chiefs (0-1 overall) in a Southeast Conference meet. First frames will be bowled at 12:30 p.m. at Arrowhead Bowl in Keokuk.