High school bowling continues growing in Texas
Posted On: Friday, Oct. 3 2008 01:12 AM
As high school programs gear up for the new season, a recent survey by the United States Bowling Congress found bowling on a high school team is a positive experience that many high school bowlers would recommend to other students.
Last fall, bowlers in the USBC High School Team Membership program were invited to complete an online survey regarding their bowling experiences. Highlights of the survey:
In addition to bowling for their high school teams, 72 percent of the respondents also bowled in at least one certified league.
Since becoming high school bowlers, 45 percent increased their participation in non-high school related leagues; 47 percent kept the same level of participation.
Nearly half (49 percent) planned to bowl at the intercollegiate level.
Forty-four percent received scholarships from bowling-related events.
The mean average for male bowlers was 183; the mean average for female bowlers was 158.
According to Dick Atkinson, proprietor of Hallmark Lanes and a state and local high school bowling coordinator, local tryouts will be scheduled during the months of October and November. "We'll keep the same schedule as last year and start the early part of December and ending in February," he said.
The regional tournament will be held March 7 in the Austin area. A center has not been yet selected; however it will be at Dart Bowl, Interstate Lanes or Mel's Bowl. The state finals will be held March 28-29 at the Plano Super Bowl.
Killeen High, Ellison, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Shoemaker, and Lampasas are all competing this year.
The sport continues to grow across Texas and according to Atkinson, "We've added three schools in Abilene and about 12 in San Antonio.
Plus, Austin will have a few more, bringing the school total between 150-155."
HARVEST TOURNAMENT – The annual adult/youth Harvest Tournament concluded and capturing first place was Team 20 with a score of 4,343. The team consisted of Denzell Amos, Brandon Shirley, Carol Amos, and Jordan Watkins-Bryant.
Second place with a score of 4,310 went to Hallmark #2. The team members were Destiny Crippen, Amanda Morgan, Cathryn Crippen, and Carl Watson.
Team 24 took third-place honors with a score of 4,211. The team consisted of Devin Revels, Kevin Whetley, Drake Revels, and Harry Kirshner.
A final standing list can be found at
www.bowlkilleenforthood.org.
MILITARY BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIPS – Turbo 2-N-1 Grips has added its name to the list of sponsors for the 2009 Military Bowling Championships, to be held Jan. 18-22 at Gold Coast Casino Hotel & Bowling Center in Las Vegas.
More than 160 six-member teams are expected to compete in this 48th annual event at the Orleans and Gold Coast Bowling Centers in Vegas. The event also includes doubles and singles competition, sweepers and mixed doubles.
One of the highlights of the event is a special "Best of the Best" competition, which features teams from the different branches bowling against each other for bragging rights; but camaraderie is the order of the day.
After five days of competition in two bowling centers, the event concludes with a special MBC Awards Breakfast on Jan. 23. Among the prizes distributed during the breakfast will be the prestigious Frank Beach Memorial Trophy for the Senior All-Events Champion.
HONOR SCORES – Greg Springfield, bowling in the Commercial League at Killeen Bowlerama had a 300 game and 755 series.
Regis Payne, bowling in the Commercial League had a 299 game, leaving just the 9-pin on his final ball.
Wayne E. Jackson, bowling in the Friday's Best league at Hallmark Lanes had a 300 game and a 705 series.
FINAL FRAME – September took its toll on our bowling family. We lost Fritz Webb, a longtime member of the association and a league and tournament bowler. Fritz was a good friend who bowled many times on my state teams and we competed together in leagues for more than 30 years. In the 1970's I coached youth bowling and Fritz had two boys competing at that time, Mark and Billy. Ursula Webb, Fritz's wife, also an avid bowler, has been having health problems. Fritz was a great guy and I'll miss him.
We mourn the passing of Phyllis J. Moore. She and her husband, "JR" Herman Moore, bowled at Phantom Warrior Lanes and Hallmark Lanes.
See you on the lanes.
Contact Don Wright at
wrightdk@hot.rr.com