Page 7 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

WMHS’s Lyman Derrick III

claims Division 1 title

By Sarah Shurge
Congratulations to Lyman Der-
rick III on being crowned champion
at the Division 1 MHSAA individuals
bowling tournament on Saturday,
March 1st, at Thunderbowl Lanes.
Derrick is a Wayne Memorial
sophomore and one of only three un-
derclassmen to make the top 16 for
match play, and the only one to
make it to the Final Four.
Derrick finished 4th at Regionals
the weekend before qualifying for
States.
On Saturday, Derrick shot 227, Division 1 MHSAA Individual Bowling
227, 225, 183, 247, 230, averaging Champion Lyman Derrick III.
223 for the six-game qualifying they really grew together in the last
block. He qualified 5th in the top 16 couple months,” said Day. “They won
to make it to match play. the Conference tournament the week
“He was absolutely locked-in,” before and never gave up when they
said Christine Day, Wayne Memorial qualified at Regionals. We fell short
Bowling Coach. in the semi-finals but not for a lack
Derrick beat the reigning 2024 of team effort. They absolutely be-
State Champ twice, shooting 257 longed amongst the best in the
and 233 to beat him both games by State.”
a total of 46 pins. This is Day’s 10th year coaching
“Lyman was so focused on his Wayne Memorial bowling. Her first
bowling and making good shots that four years were with just the girls,
he didn't even know that he had won and the last six years have been both
the final match,” said Day. “When he boys and girls Varsity and JV pro-
finished his last frame (not realizing grams.
he had beat him by 45 pins the first “I've had a great group of kids
game), he thought it was close and who represent the school well on
came up to me and asked ‘so, did I and off the lanes, and many who con-
win? Or did I lose?’ I had to quietly tinue to do so years later,” said Day.
tell him the good news as his oppo- “I have kept in contact with the 2023
nent threw his last shots.” State Champs team, and they were
When the game was over, Derrick happy to come out and visit with this
was finally able to celebrate and his year's team when I asked them to.
teammates (who had come out to Those same champions came out to
watch him) all lifted him up and support this year's team over the
cheered for him. weekend.”
“The team was skilled and sup- Congratulations again to Derrick
portive of each other this season, but on his victory!

The Wayne Dispatch · March 2025 · 7