-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Kaitlyn Folsom of Fort Dodge compete against Ames on Monday at Family bowling center

Amyrra Lumsden was on everyone’s mind at the Family Bowling Center when the Fort Dodge Senior High bowlers opened the season on Monday night.

Lumsden passed away this summer, and the Dodgers honored the two-time state qualifier during their season opener for 2024-25.

Before the meet began, FDSH co-head coaches Nick Vinson and Julie Ulrich put together a statement about Lumsden.

Lumsden’s grandmother, Eileen Helmers, shared some thoughts about her granddaughter.

A moment of silence was witnessed before bowling commenced, and Lumsden was in the Dodger lineup in the fifth spot of the first Baker’s game.

The Dodgers wore their shirts designed in Lumsden’s honor.

“It was a very emotional night honoring Amyrra,” Vinson said. “Our girls did a nice job managing their emotions and harnessing them. The girls stayed focused for her and handled it all well.”

The Dodger girls pulled out a tight 1,967 to 1,959 victory over Ames.

The Fort Dodge boys lost 2,753 to 2,612 to the Little Cyclones.

“It was a testament to the girls,” Vinson said. “Once I told them we had a chance to win, they settled down.”

Calli Graves led the Dodgers with a 288, followed by Samantha Anderson (273), Sammantha Welter (261), Gabby Santana-Bass (247) and Kaitlyn Folsom (240).

Ava Wessels led the Dodger junior varsity with a 216. Felicity Strain added a 206.

“For the most part, we held strong in the second game of Baker’s,” Vinson said. “If one fell off, one would pick it up.

“After two games, we were down 52. But we won by eight.”

Slade Babb led the Dodger boys with a 519 series, including a 276 and 243.

“Slade recorded a phenomenal two-game series,” Ulrich said. “Slade was able to find his shot right out of the gate, and once he started stringing strikes together, he looked like a machine on the lanes.”

Trenton Beck was next in line with a 429. He had games of 216 and 213.

Josh Jass recorded a 340 with a high of 180, while Kody VanValkenburg (285), Trice Jakeman (263) and Balke Seeman (248) were next in line for FDSH.

“We need Slade and Trenton’s leadership, as they are the backbone of this year’s squad,” Ulrich said. “Our high Baker’s game was a 294 and I was pleased with that score, but we are going to need more at or around that level if we want to win matches.

“The boys are working hard in practice, and I’m confident we will see improvement throughout the season.”

Freshman Bailen Peterson led the boys’ JV squad with a 302. He had a high game of 171.

The Dodgers are back in action on Dec. 3 when they host Boone.