The Strikes and Spares of LHS
BY IRIS KROUSE — Staff Writer
Bowling is a sport that most people think of as a way to wind down or to have a fun time with friends. Bowling is seen on TV, but how often do we think of bowling professionally? The LHS bowling team this season has a whopping 13 players, mostly freshmen, who are open to learn and get better with each day that goes by. Our school’s bowlers and coaches talk about what it takes to bowl here at LHS.
Sergio Hernandez, a freshman bowler in his first season, talks about why he decided to try bowling,“You know, I just wanted to start a new, something I want to learn and get more better at. So, I thought why not to join bowling?” Mason Bender, a sophmore bowler starting his second season here at LHS, adds,“My friends wanted me to join bowling with them, so I did that and it was a bunch of fun.”
So, it seems like bowling is not only great opportunity to learn something new, but a fun hobby to participate in with friends.
The bowlers go on to describe the techniques or drills that they didn’t expect to see when coming to bowling as a beginner. Sergio explains, “Well, yeah, there are like different techniques to bowl. So I’m like what in the world is this? So, I thought you just have to throw it, but no. There are different techniques you could use.”
Mason talks about what specifically Coach Schies works on with his players. “Yeah, he works on our approaches with us so we are walking in a straight line toward the lane and not zig-zagging and really hitting our marks so we could bowl strikes and get better scores.”
The bowling coaches are willing and prepared to build the foundations of a bowling team with many new players.
Coach Chris Kimmel describes the new team this season: “Well, our team is very young. Most of our team is freshmen. So, I want to see them building skills and enjoying themselves.”
Coach Ryan Shies talks about his goals for the team this season. He looks to teach the new players the basics of the game such as where to stand, what foot to end on, and knowing how many pins to knock down. He would consider the season a success if he sees every player doing their best and playing their hardest.
With so many new players this season, it is even more important to come to practices. Players need to be taught the game, techniques, and how they can improve as a bowler.
Coach Kimmel explained the usual practice: The coaches and players drive to Palmyra Bowling in vans after school — about a 20 minute drive and bowl at their own assigned lanes. The coaches work with the players on skills as they take turns bowling and congratulate each other. This goes on for about two hours.
Bowling has many similarities and differences to other sports. Coach Kimmel talks specifically about this topic.“It is co-ed. It is…I don’t want to say it’s more relaxed because when we’re practicing, we’re on our feet and that ball weighs about 15 pounds. But, certainly we don’t do really strong organized drills like they do in basketball.”
Coach Shies adds, “Each match is a different outcome. It’s not like basketball where you always have — doing offense and defense and you don’t have offense and defense in bowling. You still have a 5 member team, but basically, its how you knock down the pins. A good game for someone would basically be if they hit strikes and spares.”
Mr. Kimmel talks about what he would like to see from the players: “I like to see them knock’n down pins. I like to see them getting spares and strikes.”
Sergio explains what he personally wants to accomplish this season. “I would like to achieve a 300 score.” Mason adds,“I would like to bowl over a 200 average this season.”
To be on the Bowling Team, its takes a lot of time, effort, and commitment. There are so much more techniques and skills pit into bowling than meets the eye. The players this season look to build those skills and master those techniques. To support our team, join them at Palymra Bowling for their next home match at 3:30 on January 6th or wish them luck for their next match on December 22nd. GO CEDARS!
