2006-2007 High School Bowlers Blog

First 300 is oh so sweet
Posted by Max Wendel, Westview High School in Oregon | March 23, 2007

I ROLLED A 300! And about time too! So here's how it went: I was thinking about selling my Hyjinx because it wasn't having the reaction I wanted and it was kind of hard to control. I finally decided to get the thumb widened and get new inserts and try it one more time. My first game was just to find a line ... and I rolled a 185. The second game I had the front nine strikes to start the game. I've done this before and have screwed it up in the 10th frame ... but not this time. I threw a PERFECT 10th, 11th, and finally 12th strike to get that elusive perfect game! I was so happy ... Justin was there bowling with me to witness it. My third game I should have bowled a second 300 ... but I was a lot more relaxed and less focused and I rolled a 278 for my highest series ever: a 763. Had I found a line earlier I would have had an 800 series. Spring break is in one more day! Cheers!

State results and preparations for national tournaments
Posted by Greg Pizl, Antigo High School in Wisconsin | March 6, 2007

Give it up to the 2007 Girl's Team State Champions, the Antigo Red Robins!!! State this weekend was totally unbelievable! Yes, it's true, the girls captured the title. Us guys fell a bit short, both in singles and in the team event, but the girls shined enough for all of us!  They had some tough competition from big cities with a lot of seniors -- we have seven girls with four of them being freshman and they averaged 200 during the six Baker games in the stepladder finals! Way to go Ashley, Sarah, Brittani, Marista (my sister), Kaelyn, Steph, and Megan!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The step ladder finals were televised but the girls didn't seem a bit nervous with all the cameras and lights and announcers. It was an awesome experience all around with the fans and the crowd really participating. If any of you are interested, go to bowlwi.com and click the high school link and then the state tournament link. If you go to Sunday finals you can see their picture -- I just can't say how proud I am of all of them. We haven't had a girl's team in five years, and to have such a young one make it to State Champs -- how much better can it get??????? Not much!

Anyway ... like I said, us guys fell a bit short. I mentioned in an earlier post how I got some new equipment, well, I should have stayed with the stuff I knew a little bit better.  Each ball has its own personality and I haven’t quite figured the new balls out. I will though and watch out next year! I was a bit disappointed but it was a learning experience.  The more you learn about this sport, the better off you will become in the long run. I have a few more tournaments coming up in the southern part of the state so I will be busy even though the high school season is over. I am also preparing for Junior Gold nationals in Buffalo and the Teen Masters in Las Vegas so there is no rest for me. We also have our youth state tournament in April and Pepsi regionals in a couple weeks. Busy, Busy, Busy!!!!!

This weekend we have our High School Bowling Banquet with the awards ceremony, dinner, and a bowl-off Baker style with parents against the kids. It is a lot of fun because some of the parents do not bowl! Maybe I will post again after the banquet and let you know how that all went. It is kinda sad that the season is over though, but knowing I still have two years left is reassuring.

Our girl's basketball team just won conference this weekend and are heading off to State this Thursday -- wouldn't that be something-to win two State titles? Go Red Robins!!!!!!

Well, that is it for now, just wanted to share the great news. Until next time, good luck and good bowling!!!!

Winning state, now on to Denny's All-American High School Championships
Posted by Felicia Goll, Regina High School in Michigan | March 11, 2007

The weekend for States went very well. Friday was the finals for team. We had a bit of a rough time with our Bakers which killed us and we ended up missing the cut (they took top 8 for match play) by 63 pins. But we didn't bowl horribly. We came in 10th. On Saturday was the finals for singles. Me and one other girl from the team were in it. We both bowled good in qualifying; I led with 1337 for 6 games. We both made the cut of 16. Jody bowled good in match play but couldn't get and breaks, so she didn't make the top 8. But she bowled probably the best I've seen her bowl all year that day.

I won my first match in 2 games (best 2 out of 3). In my second match I lost the first game 223-224, but then I came back and won the next two games. My third match was the most intense. I had to strike out in the tenth to win 227 to 221. Then I won the second game 247 to 242. That was probably the most intense match I will ever bowl in my life. Winning that match got me to the Championship match. I won the first game 235 to something like 177 ... it was somewhere around there. The second game was close. She started with the first 5 and I couldn't carry to save my life. But I kept making spares and got some strikes to keep the game close.

It came down to the tenth frame and I had to finish first. I got a spare and a strike for a 204. Then she went up and caught a bad break ... I ended up winning 204-199. So I won the Division 2 State Championship for singles. What a way to end my high school bowling career!! But I have one more competition ... I was chosen for the Denny's All-American High School Championships ... I'm pretty excited!

Spending downtime working on college and organizing PBA Experience league
Posted by Max Wendel, Westview High School in Oregon | March 6, 2007

I'm sure some of you can agree that senior perks are pretty nice. For one, every other day I get out of school at 11 a.m. and have the whole day to work on college stuff, go bowling, or just hang out. Another perk of being a senior is that some of us have most if not all of our requirements taken care of. For me, I only have one month and 8 days left of high school then I'm done. Out. Free as some of you may call it. I'll be on my way to college and getting prepared to move out. Cool, no? All I can say is: I can't *insert appropriate word here*-ing wait.

Don't worry, I'm very prepared to knock on a lot of wood after I say this, but hooray! Two years of driving and not a single accident! I think that's pretty cool. A bunch of people I know have been in accidents, and I know I'll have one eventually (rather be way later than sooner). I almost got into a serious one the other day (oops).I did a flyover on the freeway, cut in front of this pick-up truck ... almost hit him. Gah that was freaky. Buuuut it ended up ok. Live and learn, right?

A bunch of us from my league are trying to get a youth PBA experience league going this summer, and so far there's been a lot of support for it. Why not bowl the way the pros do? I'm really looking forward to it because it'll prepare me for the PBA, it'll hone my ability to adjust and work the lanes, and it'll be humbling. I average about 209 in my 3 leagues right now, and I'm sure I may only average about a 190 in a PBA experience league. Cheers!

Bowlers at Antigo finally receive letters in the sport
Posted by Greg Pizl, Antigo High School in Wisconsin | March 1, 2007

Snow day - no school!!!! The real cool thing about it being a snow day today is that we have Friday and Monday off originally. Our four-day weekend turned into a five-day weekend!! This could not have happened at a better time with State going on this weekend -- I am having a new ball drilled today and with the time off, I will have extra time to practice. We had our last team practice last night and I believe we have an awesome chance to put Antigo on the map at State. I will fill you in on the results next week.

Yesterday was a day in Antigo bowling history! We have been an organized, self-funded club for over eight years and the school board finally recognized the Varsity program and are allowing the bowlers to receive a letter for the Club Sport starting next year. How cool is that? We do have a few bowlers who are not involved in other sports or activities -- now after their hard work and dedication, they can letter in the sport. It sure has come a long way.

Until next week -- Go Antigo!!!!!!!!!!

Disappointed at first, but then a rally at state
Posted by Max Wendel, Westview High School in Oregon | March 1, 2007

Ah what a way to end the season and my high school bowling career. It was a lot of fun, but I wish we would have done better. State finals were held over the weekend ... on the first day we bowled 30 games. From game 1, things didn't look good. No one on the team could correctly read the lane, we were over-thinking, and with exception to me and one other teammate, no one could hit the easy spares. Needless to say, in a Baker tourney, spares are INCREDIBLY important. We averaged only about 175 over the first 30 games to take a solid 13th place. Not in the top 8 to advance, but in the bottom 8 to bowl in the consolation tourney (or, as I like to call it, the "haha we sucked" tourney). So day 1 was a bust.

Day 2 was AWESOME! It's like we were reborn or something! Over the 16 games we averaged 193 ... and the last 8 games we charged into 3 place in the consolation tournament with five 200+ games! What happened?? I don't know, but we kicked ass. The funny thing was ... the teams who bowled in the consolation tourney that were in first, second, and third (us) place bowled better than the teams in the regular semi-finals! Go figure. The coach let all the seniors play the last two games ... me included. We bowled two 230 games in a row. It was a blast.

And on Sunday I officially turned 18. I can now go buy cigarettes! No I'm not actually going to ... smoking is disgusting and if you're reading this and you smoke ... QUIT. NOW. I just like that I can. I've reached that level of "adulthood" where I can destroy my lungs if I choose too. (ugh there's nothing worse than walking through someone's secondhand smoke)

Baseball season is right around the corner! For all of you who are like me, and can't live without baseball ... only a little more than one month left ... and there's spring training that just got started. GO MARINERS!!! Cheers.

Heading to state this weekend - in team and individual divisions
Posted by Felicia Goll, Regina High School in Michigan | Feb. 28, 2007

This past weekend we bowled regionals. All of our practice finally paid off. Friday was the singles competition. It took me a few frames to finally get a good read on the lanes but after that I was fine. I ended up shooting 1,229 for six games; not a great score, but good enough for second place, missing first by only 6 pins. So I qualified for state, which is this Saturday in Battle Creek. One of my teammates also qualified in the singles competition, she came in 4th.

Saturday was the team competition. The format was six Baker games and them three regular games. We just couldn't keep it consistent with our Bakers. We would bowl one high game and then one low game. But we brought up our score with the individual games. Our first game was just OK, nothing special. Then the second game we shot 885, which bumped us up to second place by ten pins. They were only taking the top three teams to state. The last game the whole team came through and we ended up shooting 918. We ended up coming in third so we are going to state this weekend. The team is really excited. There are a lot great teams in Division 2 and we are looking forward to the competition. I hope we make it farther than any other year, especially because this is my last year being that I am a senior. Bowling with my high school has been one of the best experiences of my life and I don't want it to end, but when one door closes another one opens.

Antigo boys and girls teams headed to state next weekend
Posted by Greg Pizl, Antigo High School in Wisconsin | Feb. 22, 2007

State competition here we come! Conference finals went well. Both of our boys teams finished in the top ten while our girls finished second! I need to give a shout out to Cameron, Ryan, Kevin, Josh, Nick, and Cody --we are really going to come out of the gate strong and not let up! I feel the confidence and the talent is definitely there. Another shout out to the girls -- Ashley, Brittani, Marista (my sister), Kaelyn, Megan, Sarah, and Steph! The girls brought it to practice last night, beating us two out of three Baker games! 

The singles event begins Friday, March 2. Cody, Josh, and myself qualified along with Ashley and Sarah on the girls side. The team event begins that Saturday morning. I finished second in conference and plan on making my mark at state. Gotta reach for the goals we set, right? Gotta rush off to school, but I will be back with the results of our State outing. Until then -- congrats to everyone advancing!!!!!!!!!

Ready to take on state championships
Posted by Max Wendel, Westview High School in Oregon | Feb 21, 2007

I got some new inserts for my Action. They're better than the old ones in that my fingers don't slip out as much. I think my average is going to go up a few pins because of them. Aaaaanyway state finals are this weekend, and I think we have a pretty good shot to repeat what we did last year or do better. On Saturday all we need to do is be in the top 8
teams out of twenty or so. Then on Sunday we have to be in the top 4 to advance to the stepladder finals. Last year we were seeded 2nd into the finals but lost ... I think it’s going to be better cause these are really nice lanes we're bowling on. Last time I bowled there for a tourney I bowled a 691 series.
 
I saw Ghost Rider over the weekend, and I have to say it was pretty dumb. Yes it was incredibly entertaining, but there were sooo many cheesy, dumb, annoying, pointless, and predictable scenes that I wanted to tear my eyes out! *possible spoiler ahead so don't read if you still want to see it!* near the end where the old guy/narrator rides with Cage
as his “last ride” and then just leaves??? What!? Just a tad pointless. But all in all it was a fun movie, so if you don't mind wasting $5, $6, hell I guess $10 in some places for a movie, go right ahead.

Wish us luck this weekend. Cheers!

Competition ramps up going into regionals
Posted by Brian Hunt, Father Gabriel Richard High School in Michigan | Feb. 18, 2007

Well it certainly has been a packed last week and a half. Our team, since I last updated, beat 2 respectable teams in Adrian and Tecumseh (16-14, 17-13 respectively). I shot scores of 174, 253, 217, and 287. I took the bad game of 174 because in the Adrian match in the first game, it came down to someone making a mark, and that best chance and responsibility lied upon my shoulders. So I took the hit in my average, because it WAS important to the match, and because of it, we won that game, and went on to win the meet. With the scores of 217 and 287 I have 2nd highest series in our conference, and highest game. This was at the match against Tecumseh, which was bar none the most exciting match of the year. Our team shot Baker games of 235 (win) and 205 (loss). We lost the first 5-on-5 game by 9 pins, which was pretty tough to take, but rebounded in the 2nd 5-on-5 to shoot the highest game in our conference (1,121). We ended up winning that intense match, and now sit at 7-2. My average is at 225 which puts me around number 5 for the top 10 averages in Michigan. Far cry from the 196 I averaged in conference last year.

Since our school is Catholic we also participated in a couple Catholic League tournaments in the past 2 weeks. The first tournament we played, we did not fare too well, as our guys missed a lot of spares and it just didn't go well. I shot okay, with a 3-game series of 623. On the 17th we had the Catholic League Championships at the same bowling alley as the last Catholic tournament. This was more important because they handed out awards and crowned a Catholic League Champion at this tournament. The buzz around the bowling alley was that they laid down only 19 feet of oil to keep the conditions hard; wow, they were hard. I am usually a stroker, liking to play around 10 board with nothing too fancy ... down and in. At this tournament, in the 2nd game, I was playing maybe 30-35 throwing to about 15 which was unusual. Our team had a tough time adjusting to the difficult conditions, and we missed the cut to the next round by 12 pins. However, our team missed so many spares that it was hard to blame our shortcomings on the lanes ... 2 spares and we were in. It was painful. I ended up shooting a 598 3-game series, which was surprisingly good enough for 5th place, and I ended up on the All-Catholic Team. I also was on the All-Academic team, and my teammate Jake was named to All-League.

Then again, this is all warm-up compared to regionals this Friday and Saturday. Our team is pumped and we are ready to go. We have a conference tournament this Monday, followed by a make-up match on Tuesday, probably practice Wednesday and Thursday, and regionals Friday and Saturday. Here we go baby, this is what it’s all about!!

Ups and downs, and an injury healed
Posted by Felicia Goll, Regina High School in Michigan | Feb. 14, 2007

These past few weeks have been very busy, and the team has had some good times and some bad times. For the bad times: Two weeks ago we bowled in an all-Baker tournament ...We did horrible. We didn't even make the cut. Then this past weekend they bowled in a tournament in a house where we usually bowl pretty good at. A couple of the girls shot some good games, but as a whole, they didn't do that great. I didn't bowl in either of those tournaments, and I haven't bowled in a few of our conference matches due to a pulled muscle, but that’s healed now and I'm all set to bowl.

For the good times: Our team won our conference. We went undefeated 10-0. We were really excited. This weekend we have our Catholic League Championships. We have won it three years in a row and we are going for a 4-peat. It is at the same house we bowled at this past weekend ... I hope it won't turn out like last week though. Next week is our regionals.  We are in for some hardcore practices, but in the end it should be worth it.

Talent shines through under tournament pressure
Posted by Max Wendel, Westview High School in Oregon | Feb 12, 2007

For some reason, I could be bowling really badly during league or practice, but when a tourney rolls around I step it up a notch. I don't know if it's the adrenaline rush or I'm just concentrating more, or even a combination of both, but I do very well in tourneys. I just bowled in the city tournament in singles, doubles, and team. Team play was with 3 other people, and I don't think as a team we’re going to place very high, but I bowled very nicely. I ended up with a 680 during team, and in doubles I think Justin and I got 4th place. In that I bowled a 678. Then during singles I didn't do as well and ended up with a 618. The thing I'm really psyched about is possibly being first in all events, meaning adding up my own scores and seeing how I place. I might have gotten first there, but we'll see this week when the release the standings.
 
Ok, for all of you who haven't read anything by Stephen King: read Misery. I've read a few books over the years, but this one had me shaking, sweating, and pretty much horrified. In a nutshell it’s about an author named Paul Sheldon who gets into a car crash. He’s “rescued” by a woman named Annie Wilks who's his “#1 fan!” She keeps him hostage to write her a book, and if he doesn't comply, things get scary. All of you: read it. Or go out and bet a Stephen King book. The man is a horror genius. Cheers!

Team’s got to pull it together to get to state
Posted by Greg Pizl, Antigo High School in Wisconsin | Feb. 11, 2007

Hello fellow high school bowlers! We had the weekend off from any matches, however, the final conference meet is next Sunday!  I finished in second individually with a 8.889% fill out of 162 total frames -- State here I come. This is all good and fine, don't get me wrong, but as a team we really need to come together this next weekend to advance. I have been bowling with these guys for quite some time and for the other four members, this is their last chance as they are all seniors. Being just a sophomore, I have a couple more years left. I hope we can come together and really show the Conference what we are made of. I'll let you know how we finished next week.

Other than that, this week has gone very fast!  I am a second year student in our Media Productions program at school and this class coordinates the school's news program --Channel 2. It is a local station made just for our city covering all sporting events at the varsity level, school board meetings, city council meetings, and special interviews. We go out in teams to record, edit, and produce the events.  I am planning on going to college for graphic arts so you can see where this helps! The awesome equipment we get to use is not only very expensive but very state of the art.  To be able to interview interesting students, business owners, teachers, etc. and record sporting events other than the ones you play in, really gives you the chance to meet everyone around! Remember, we are a small city. Then, after the project is completed, you can watch it on your TV at home.

I have really enjoyed taping our girl's varsity basketball because they sit in 2nd place in the conference and have played tremendously! The good thing about the Media Productions Channel 2 News class is that you can stay in it for all four years of high school providing you do you projects to expectation level.  I love the experience and being able to see your work on television! Other than that, Antigo has been pretty quiet.  We have off of school on Tuesday for a teacher's inservice day. Why they would pick a Tuesday is beyond me ... but it is a day off nonetheless.

Good and bad games are a part of the sport
Posted by Austin Herter, Chelsea High School in Michigan | Feb. 8, 2007

We had our first loss today. Ann Arbor Pioneer beat us 18-12. I’m not going to blame the loss on how they have a thousand more kids in their school or the lane conditions, but we just got beat by a good Pioneer team. Our team had an off day and Pioneer took advantage. We lost the first Baker, but won the second game. Our team had trouble hitting our mark and picking up our spares. I had a really bad first game, a 137. I fought my way through the whole game; I tried about 4 different lines with 4 different balls. I couldn’t get anything to work. My second game was a 219, which is a lot better than my first game. My average for the league dropped 6 pins to a 210. Nick and Greg led the team today with a 405 and 450 series. I think that the loss will actually help us because now we don’t have to be worried about staying undefeated, it will take a little pressure off of us.

I would also like to say that during the four years that I have anchored the Varsity bowling team, I have never been pulled from any of my games to protect my average. Good example is today, I threw a 137. I didn’t let it affect me. I fought my way back and had a 219 the next game. Being pulled in the last frame is not a good way to help out a good bowler. A good bowler shouldn’t need to be pulled out in the last frame to protect their average. A good bowler should be able to adjust and be willing to take a bad game, everyone has a bad game at times. If you are bowling in a men’s league, you can’t just quit in the middle of a game because you are doing bad. You finish the game and move on. Our coach always tells us don’t be afraid of failure. If you’re afraid of failure you will never become a better bowler and won’t take your game to the next level.

All’s fair in love and bowling
Posted by Brian Hunt, Father Gabriel Richard High School in Michigan | Feb. 6, 2007

Greetings from Michigan, the icebox of the country. Schools in the area have been shut down for 2 days, and probably tomorrow as well, all because it's very cold, with wind chill values around -15 degrees. Aside from bowling, another passion of mine is weather. Hm ... bowling and weather, a little nerdy, but whatever.

The only other thing that has been cold in Michigan has been our team's bowling. Last week we had three matches, and we went 1-2. We beat Milan, and lost to Pioneer and Chelsea. We are now 5-2 which is nothing to sneeze at, and we're tied for 2nd in our conference. It's really disappointing to lose, but at the same time, I have to realize that the schools we lost to have several thousand high school students, and we have in the high 400s. Their talent pool is simply much larger, and while that's no compensation for losing, it is a little comfort. There has been quite of bit of drama going on with our team and our coach, and that has caused quite a few headaches and that also was bogging our minds down a bit. Hopefully we can start fresh this week, and pick up a win on Thursday against Adrian which should be a good match.

Finally, I would like to address an issue that Austin brought up, and that is to split a game to save a high bowler's average. Personally, I average 222 right now, and have been pulled from 2 games to protect my average. Its not that they would have been really detrimental to my average, as they would have been in the 180's-190's, but at the same time, I want to keep my average high, and at the point in the match in which I was pulled, it was insignificant had I stayed in or not. I don't really like the idea either of being pulled to save my average, but at the same time, since they are no rules against it yet, I will continue to do it using discretion. I had not even thought of the idea, or seen it, until last year when we were bowling a big-name school, and the same tactic was used by the other team, by their high-average bowler. Had this particular team and individual not split for the sole purpose of saving his average, I would not even know about the idea today.
Honestly, our team was ticked about it when we first understood what it did, but instead I now have adapted it as a meaningful way to help out a good bowler. I certainly understand the ethics of why it could be used as a harmful thing to high school bowling, but since their has been no official ruling by the MHSAA, it's fair game. All is fair in love and bowling.

Focus on reaching the state tournament
Posted Greg Pizl, Antigo High School in Wisconsin | Feb. 5, 2007

Living in Northern Wisconsin during the winter has its perks: -40 degrees below zero wind chill factor gets school called off for the entire day! How awesome is that??? I didn't have much time this weekend for video games so I think I will stay in where it is warm and make up the missed time.

Yesterday, we had a double match here at home. I think our team felt we had the first match before it started because it was our house. Boy, were we wrong to think that! We were one game behind the school we bowled, and wouldn't you know it -- they were in first place. Well, after the match, they remain in first, a 6-3 loss. It was very disappointing but I think we learned not to take a win for granted -- we have to stay focused on the game at hand no matter where we bowl. The second match went better, a 7.5 - 1.5 win. Conference finals are in two weeks -- wish us luck for a victory and a State advancement. The individual results should be out in a few days, as of our last meet I stood in first and hopefully remain there after this weekend. I advanced to State last year individually but did not perform my best, so this year I set new goals and I will keep you informed as to what happens.

School has been going well. Been busy with Sophomore class activities and our Channel 2 News broadcasts. Other than that, bowling, and freezing ... Antigo hasn't been too exciting. I will scribble some more after the results come out and until then, good luck to everyone!

Play the whole game for correct average
Posted by Austin Herter, Chelsea High School in Michigan | Feb. 4, 2007

We had 3 matches this past week. Saline was our first match, we won 22-8 and I had a 241 and 222 for match play. Our second match was Lenawee Christian, we won that match 22-8 and I had a 248 and 202, which isn’t too bad. I choked in the 10th frame of the 202 game because I threw a split.

Our third match was against Gabriel Richard team and we won 22-8 (same score as always). I only bowled one game (a 210) because we won the match in the first five-on-five and put our second five bowlers in for the second five-on-five giving them some playing time. That is the first game I didn’t bowl all season. Nick had a 221, which is his high game for the year. 

All season I have bowled all of my own games and taken the hit with having a 158 on my average and I didn’t want to sub out because I was doing bad. I don’t like it when a bowler subs out in the last frame so it doesn’t hurt his average. It’s not a true representation of his real average.  If a bowler starts a game it should be counted into his average no matter what the score is. I really hope the MHSAA makes some rules about this so that bowlers can’t cheat to keep their average high. 

Our team is currently in 1st place in our conference 7-0. One of our team’s advantages is we have 6 or 7 guys capable of averaging 180+. Greg is averaging 214, Nick is averaging 185, and I’m averaging 216.

Coming up: driver's license and college visits
Posted by Chelsea in Dallas | Feb. 4, 2007

Hey guys! We had a match yesterday, and guess who was their coach -- my coach and her son! I’ve known these people for about 6 years, and then here they are, helping their girls and mine!! And, as far as I know, I am going to State for singles ... gosh ... how awesome would that be :D!! Then yesterday, I bowled a 253! Not the best accomplishment ever -- but it was great fun to see everyone's faces none the less!!! I really love those gentlemen on my league ... lol. Pray for Shaun's mother- the poor thing has cancer and is anything but weak, but needs our prayers to remain strong in raising her child. 

But in other news, my life (as predicted) has gone crazy. Truly, my life is crazy as a I don't know what ... and I don't know where to turn next. I hope that you can forgive me for not being so ... involved with this at the moment. I want to keep up with y’all. Two new pieces of information though: I am getting my license tomorrow!!! MY GOSH!! My new car is absolutely beautiful, and although it’s not exactly new, it's everything I had wanted :)

Also, I'm going to go and visit OCU (where I really want to go someday) pretty soon :D ... although I don't know the exact date. Got to run y'all!! Happy Valentine's Day!! xoxo

Bowling through the pressure of district tourney
Posted by Max Wendel, Westview High School in Oregon | Feb. 1, 2007

District tournament was held over the weekend! THAT was a long day. So I started it off by waking up at 5:45 am because my dad wanted to get down the bowling alley, get a good parking spot, and meet my friend and his mom for breakfast. It was around 25 degrees outside and we had to walk 5 blocks to the restaurant...and let’s just say our sweatshirts aren't good for keeping in the heat. We finally started bowling our Baker games at around 8:30. The style of the tourney was this: 20 Baker games, top 6 teams do 10 more Baker games, then the top three compete in stepladder finals. I was the anchor bowler on our team (5th and 10th frames) and I really lived up to the pressure. I struck out in the 10th 8 times total to give us games of 180+.

Over the first 20 games we averaged 192, next 10 we averaged 201. So we were seeded 1st in the stepladder finals. The tourney ended at around 4:30. Unfortunately this year wasn't like the last two ... we were beat in the final two games by 20 pins to take second place while the team we had beaten for the last two years took first. Ah well...afterwards they announced district all-stars. My teammate Josh was named tourney MVP, I took 2nd place all-star right behind him, and my friend Mike took 4th place all-star. So our reign of first place finishes is over, but now we get to look forward to competing in the state finals on the 24th and 25th (and btw I'll be turning 18 on the 25th). Wish us luck! Cheers everyone!

Ball arsenal advice for high school bowlers
Posted by Brian Hunt, Father Gabriel Richard High School in Michigan | Jan. 25, 2007

I'm sure you're all anxious to hear about the “blogger” showdown, unfortunately however, the meet has been postponed until Feb. 2nd, so I'll let you know then. We continue on our winning pace as now we are 4-0 after having beaten Saline. We lost both our Bakers, and we thought we might be in trouble, but in the first 5-on-5 game we shot a season high 1,048. We really took control of the match then, and ended up winning 19-11. I shot games of 219 and 231, so I continue to do well. Needless to say, when we have to play the “powerhouses” in our conference we can't bowl a 155 and a 153 in Bakers ... so that will be the main point of practice for awhile I would assume.

I'm going to advise something in this entry. When bowling a high school match, it may be best only to bring 2 strike balls and a spare ball with you, as it is easy to become confused. I have found that it is often easy to get confused when bringing 4 strike balls, and instead of playing the lanes how they should be played, you're found constantly making ball changes. Granted, when bowling an 8-game block at a tournament on a Sport condition, or bowling regionals, it may be wise to have all your equipment on you, but for high school when bowling house conditions, confusion becomes a problem. For example, the match where we beat Saline, it was a rather heavily oiled 42-foot house pattern. I was using a Brunswick Vapor Zone during practice, but it wasn't hooking as much as I liked. So in a last-minute change for the Bakers, I switched to a more aggressive ball in the Brunswick Strike Zone. This proved to not be a wise choice as I lost carry. I switched back to the Vapor Zone during the 5-on-5 games, firmed it up and moved a little right, and boom, flush in the pocket. Anyway, that’s just a little advice to those who may find themselves in the same position. Until next time, bowl well, have fun.

Tournament loss pushes team to refocus
Posted by Felicia Goll, Regina High School in Michigan | Jan. 22, 2007

This weekend we are bowling in the Battle of the Bakers tournament in Battle Creek. We didn't bowl all that great. We just couldn't string any strikes together. We bowled great the last two games, but we were too far behind to make the cut. We ended up in tenth place. They cut to the top 8 teams. It’s really frustrating missing by two spots, but it definitely was a learning experience. The team learned that they need to focus more, and work more as a team. So in practice today, we practiced Baker games. And instead of not paying attention to the game, we all focused on who was bowling and we did really well.  We even shot a 211. And when we bowled individual games, one of the girls shot her highest game ever (251). She even had the front 8 strikes. We have two matches this week, one on Wed. and one on Thurs. Currently we are in first place and we are undefeated. Hopefully we can keep that up.

Full plate: exams, practice and tournaments
Posted by Max Wendel, Westview High School in Oregon | Jan. 22, 2007

Well finals have begun, and they are just going to get harder from here. Today I had my psychology and English finals. In the English final we just had to write an essay which was pretty easy and I had to answer somewhere around 120 questions in two tests for my psych final. All in all I think I did fairly well. The real test of my exam-taking skills will be tomorrow. I have my calculus and biology finals. So I don't think I'm going to come out of tomorrow with a smile on my face. I've been studying especially hard for my bio final and I still don't have a good feeling. But hey, for each question I have a 1 in 5 chance of getting it right (choices A through E) and 75 questions. So my odds of getting them all right by sheer luck are, well, a lot to 1.
 
Districts are this weekend!!! I can't wait! My team is trying for 1st place for the 3rd year in a row and I'm very, very ready to start bowling. Our coach scheduled 2 practices this week: one at my home lanes and the other at the center where districts is being hosted. I love the lanes there, especially since I bowled my highest series ever there! Unfortunately I need to work on getting my timing back in sync. My biggest problem is rushing my feet to the foul line every once and a while which decreases the power on my ball and causes me to pull it. Because of this I haven't been able to hit either the 10 pin or the 7 pin for the past few days, and for us to have a shot this weekend we NEED to be able to pick those up. So all this week I'm going to concentrate on getting my timing back in time for the tourney. Hope everyone is doin well. Wish us luck this weekend! Cheers!

Midterms, power outage slows down bowling, but doesn’t stop it
Posted by Felicia Goll, Regina High School in Michigan | Jan. 18, 2007

Between this week and last week, things have been pretty hectic. Last week we had midterm exams, plus practice, and a match. But it wasn’t that bad. The team didn't bowl bad in the match, but we didn't bowl great either. Our Bakers still aren't where they could be. And we had the weekend off -- no tournaments. Sunday we had our bowling team fund-raiser. We actually had a big turnout. There were five people to a lane -- $20 a person -- and we had lanes 11 to 40 filled. Monday we had practice, but it was cut short when the power went out in the bowling alley. There was a car accident and someone hit the transformer outside. Of course my ball was stuck in the back and they couldn't get it out. But I got it at the match on Wednesday. My coach picked it up for me.

On Wednesday, the team we were supposed to bowl against didn't show up because their parents decided they didn't want their kids to bowl during midterm week. So we automatically won the points, but we still had to bowl for score. We all bowled pretty well, and most of the team hit their averages. I was in pain due to sciatica, but I still bowled, and I shot 435 for two games, which is good because I want to get my average up. This weekend we are bowling in the Battle of the Bakers in Battle Creek. I think our team is going to do well. We are all excited because we are going up there on Saturday and staying overnite. It should be fun!

Back on the lanes with 10 stitches
Posted by Austin Herter, Chelsea High School in Michigan | Jan. 16, 2007

I haven’t blogged in a while because I had an accident on Jan 3rd - tried cutting my thumb off with a knife. Luckily it was my left thumb and not my right one (the hand I bowl with). I ended up getting 10 stitches to put the top half of my thumb back together. We had a match last Friday and played against Adrian who is 2nd in our conference (we are 1st). We bowled pretty well even though the lanes conditions were pretty bad. I rolled a 258 in the first match play and then a not so good 177 in the second match play. We won the match 23–7. We have a match this Thursday against Gabriel Richard and I think we should win it based on what I’ve seen so far this season.

Hard-fought wins against some familiar faces
Posted by Greg Pizl, Antigo High School in Wisconsin | Jan. 15, 2007

It's been a few weeks since I wrote and I now have two high school matches to fill you in on. The first was against our very own girl's varsity team. We bowled in Stevens Point, about an hour away from Antigo. Our practices went well and we felt quite confident - but I guess it turned out to be too confident. The match went tied up until the final game.  Somehow or another we came alive and finished it out with a 5 to 4 victory.  I need to give out props to the girls tho - they have come so far in their first year and are currently in first in our conference. I should also add that my younger sister is on this team - I guess the guys just couldn't deal with losing a match to girls, but on the other hand we were pretty impressed.

The second match was just this past Sunday in Merrill which is only about a half-hour away. This time, we had to bowl against the Varsity II team from Antigo. It is hard going up against guys you have bowled with for many years and make a competition about it.  My team did well coming out with another victory, 6 to 3. I filled the day with 13 strikes, 3 spares, and two opens. Our stats should be online soon. It will be interesting to see how close we got to first place both team and individually.  t has been a close run all year.  Three more matches to go, then conference finals, and finally state. Next week I have semester exams and have been quite busy getting prepared - but bowling in between sure helps ease the stress a bit. Good Luck to everyone!!!!

Sneak peek at lane condition for districts
Posted by Max Wendel, Westview High School in Oregon | Jan. 15, 2007

Districts are in 2 weeks!!! Oh man I cannot wait for it. There's nothing better than competing against 15 other teams and feeling the rush of adrenaline that guides your ball perfectly into the pocket. I went bowling at the center that hosts districts this year again, and I bowled really well. So I think I won't have a huge problem on those lanes. They're wood, and break down quickly. Justin, who went with me, couldn't adjust to the lanes which kinda raised my eyebrow, but again once the adrenaline starts to flow it helps with the concentration. Oh, and my average is up to a 209. Yay. Wish us luck!!
 
I am a damn good cook. This weekend I made a Danish pork dish called frikadeller (butchered spelling and pronounced frikadella) and it was really good. It’s ground pork, flour, eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and onions, made into little tablespoon-sized balls and fried. Aaahhh Danish goodness.
 
Yeah I'm really worried about a friend of mine. Tonight she's planning on sneaking out with some random guy she just met, and I'm doing my best to convince her not to do it. “Oh don't worry, I've been texting him so I know him!” NO YOU DON'T!!! I'm sure he's a nice guy, but what if he isn't? I've been trying to make her just consider what might happen with this guy, but she's idealizing it in her mind. Uuugh. So I'm just wishing the common sense that she locked away in the back of her mind breaks free. Hopefully.
 
School-free day tomorrow, people! Relax wisely! Cheers.

Bowl.com blogger showdown on the lanes
Posted by Brian Hunt, Father Gabriel Richard High School in Michigan | Jan. 14, 2007

It's good to be back into the swing of things as far as bowling is concerned. In my last entry I referenced to a tournament our school was participating in at Oak Lanes. We ended up finishing 13th I believe, out of 25. A far cry from where we were last year. Personally though, I had high game and high series among all boys, shooting 278 and 732 respectively. The lane conditions just seemed to cater to my game; I was able to use a fairly dull ball that hooked pretty early (Track Solution). I started the tournament playing straight up second arrow, and was able to just move left from there as the lanes broke down. There was a fair amount of hold on the inside, and if you swung it wide it would generally come back. Thank you, house condition!

As far as conference play is concerned, our team has started 3-0 which is quite an accomplishment, because we play in a generally all division I or II conference, and we're a division III team. Our latest match was on Friday against Lenawee Christian, and we won 22-8. The lane conditions were actually quite tough for what I believe to be just a house shot; the scores were low. We won our first Baker game, lost our second (I split in the 10th...), and won our two 5-on-5 games. I played only the 2nd 5-on-5 and shot a 229. Our next match is against Chelsea High School *how ironic that we're playing another blogger’s school* and this is going to be our toughest challenge yet. We're also playing at Lenawee Christian's alley, which if it is going to be anything like last year, should prove to be quite difficult. Hopefully the underdog can come out on top! *that's right Austin!* :)

Wish us luck, have fun bowling

Family of friends
Posted by Chelsea in Dallas | Jan. 13, 2007

Wow ... what madness. Welcome to 2007 y'all!! I went bowling today, and it was a little crazy how all of our little lives revolve around bowling. I'll change the names, but let's tell the story.

Bill and Christine were very, very good “friends” for a while, and then somehow she gave Bill the permission to date Julie, her best friend. So, now, Bill and Julie are going to go out, and I look over and see Peter with his head in this hands. He's a tough guy, so he didn't stay there for long.

But when I talked to Peter's dad, I found out that Peter's mom has 482 tumors in her body, and though the doctors give her 5 to 7 years, her family thinks little of that. I then see Alex come over and comfort him, and remember how he comforted me when I was upset one year at State. Thinking back on state, I remembered how Alex had this huge crush on Kry, who I simply could not respect or like at all, no matter how hard I tried. I remembered how he stayed up all night with some of our friends at state and his mom found him delusional on the couch in the lobby, with the receptionist thinking he was drunk (he wasn't). I remember jumping on someone who I had a crush on one year at state to wake them up, only finding him sleeping with only his underwear on. Speaking of underwear, I remember Bill being locked out of his room with his best friend, and having to walk down the stairs from the 3rd floor, to the lobby, in his boxers. I remembered when Zach screamed BOOOOOOMMMSHANIQUA!!! across 10 lanes to get my attention, and then once I got over there and mentioned it, he screamed it louder in my face. I remember Alex, Zach, and Jacob flipping me in the pool and my top almost coming off. I remember how much Alex was hurt when his grandfather died, and when Aunita broke up with him.

Then I realized, this is my life, these. These are those that I love, they are family. These are my golden years, and you only have one chance to live and love it so so so so much. I thank God for that epiphany, that shook me out of my self-pity and sorrow - these people I love, and would do anything for. Thank you God, for letting me love these people! Thank you God for drama, so I may show these people what it really means to be calm, someday!!

Thank you God, for letting these people come into my life, because as much as they screw up things, they are the ones who can make it right again. Thank you God, for mistakes, because then only do you know how much you are blessed in every choice that you give us. Thank you God, for letting me know them.

Thank you God, for giving me new life by sharing in theirs. Thank you God, for blessing me with their presence, no matter how drunk or stupid or tired or delusional or selfish or rude or funny they may be.  Thank you God, for this life. Thank you God, for making me tender again.

The varsity debate
Posted by Max Wendel, Westview High School in Oregon  | Jan. 9, 2007

So this weekend we were supposed to go down to OSU and bowl in a high school invitational tournament. 25 baker games, exhibition tourney with other schools from around Oregon. But yesterday I get a voicemail from my dad saying that he received an e-mail that the tourney, which we all have been looking forward to since we heard about it in November, had been cancelled.

“WHAT!? Cancelled?? Why???”

“I have no idea, but the e-mail says something about there not being enough teams and ‘unforseen circumstances.’”

...needless to say I wasn't too happy. So I talked to CJ, a friend of mine on the team, and he suggested instead we all go out to lunch at this restaurant we all have sort of idolized. Long story, but to sum it up at the state finals last year we ate at ‘the roadhouse’ and they have the BEST rolls you will ever have. Period. I don't care whether your grandmother's ultra secret family recipe for rolls are good ... this place beats them. In my own words: they're as if an angel fell from heaven, fell into an oven and was baked.

Apart from random cancelled tourneys, bowling is going fine. My average is staying in the 206 - 210 area (yay!) and the team is getting better as a whole. We have 12 players so we're going to have 2 teams going to district tournament later this month. I'm really hoping he doesn't mix it up ... I want the best bowlers on one team and the worst on another. If we want to win, I don't see it happening any other way.

College is so close I can feel it. I'm graduating early so I can get a job and maybe take some college courses before our trip to Europe this summer. I'm very ready to get out of high school. And one more thing: possible snow tonight!!!! Cross your fingers!!!! Cheers.

Lots of practice leads to a tournament sweep
Posted by Felicia Goll, Regina High School in Michigan | Jan. 6, 2007

In the past week and a half we were practicing hard getting ready for our first match, and our first tournament. We worked on our Baker game line ups and we worked on angles and spare shooting. It definitely paid off. On Friday’s match we did great. We took both Bakers and only one girl lost a match play point. During the individual games one girl shot a 204, another shot a 206, and I shot a 233.

On Saturday’s tournament, we did awesome. We really had team work. The tournament format consisted of three regular games and four Baker games. In the regular games our series were 905-838-906. Three of our Baker games weren't as strong as they could have been, but we did shoot a 204 in one of them. We ended up sweeping the tournament, winning for team with a total of a little over 3,300, and I had high game/high series of the tournament for the girls with 268/727.

Bowling 'til it hurts
Posted by Brian Hunt, Father Gabriel Richard High School in Michigan | Jan. 4, 2007

Hope everyone had a good Christmas, and a fun New Years! It's been nice to be off on break and get a chance to relax and even sleep in. As far as bowling goes, I personally have been bowling all during break. It's kind of funny; when it's known you're on the bowling team, all my friends want to do with me anymore is go bowling. Not that I'm complaining, although I'm a little sore.

The team has practiced Tuesday and Wednesday over break at different bowling centers, because we're bowling in a tournament at Oak Lanes on Saturday. Last year we did pretty poorly so we're hoping for a better finish this year. For practice, we've done 2 Baker games, and 3 regular games, and being on break definitely has shown. Hopefully we can get back into the groove of things for the tournament. Personally I have been working on having a better follow-through, as this seems to be my biggest vice when I bowl. Our next in-conference match is next Friday against Lenawee Christian. We should be able to win this match, but anything can happen. Hopefully I can keep up my good start to the season and keep that 230 average up. Wish us luck at the tournament!

Teammates’ higher scores continue undefeated season
Posted by Austin Herter, Chelsea High School in Michigan | Jan. 1, 2007

We had a match against Huron the Monday before Christmas and it was a very close match but we won. I didn’t bowl well at all. I went 201 and 181 for match play. Luckily my other teammates carried the team. We continued to have practice over our winter break and Coach Greenleaf decided to bowl a game with us. Without any practice balls he threw a perfect 300 game! He then put his stuff away. School starts back tomorrow, Tuesday, and I’m not looking forward to that. But matches start up again and I do look forward to that. So far our team is undefeated.

White Christmas at the last minute
Posted by Greg Pizl, Antigo High School in Wisconsin | Dec. 26, 2006

So how was everyone’s Christmas?  Living in Northern Wisconsin we should expect a White Christmas, but up until this past Friday everything was still green. Mother Nature fixed that in a hurry with over a foot of the white stuff on Friday night!  My family spent Christmas Eve at my older sister's as her boyfriend got leave from the Army. Christmas Day was spent at home - opening gifts, eating way too much, and watching football.  Now I am looking forward to a few days off of school. 

Today I am heading out to the lanes to clean pins which should take 4-5 hours.  Tomorrow I have a JG Tournament in Green Bay; Thursday is our conference's singles tournament. Then, on Saturday, I get to do Christmas all over again with my mom's side of the family! Before you know it tho - the New Year will begin and it will be time to head back to school. Time sure flies when you are having fun, doesn't it? Our next match is Jan. 7 so I will talk to you all at that time. Until then, have a Happy New Year!

Part 4 – Santa Baby :)
Posted by Chelsea in Dallas | Dec. 25, 2006

Ho ho ho ... Merry Christmas!! This life right now is so crazy mad, and I just realize it with us about to turn the street corner onto a new year. I have more and more bowling to do, in addition to 4 contests, in addition to preparing myself for my life (college/ACT/SAT/places to live...), in addition to debate team, in addition to my pointe solo (which I love saying, and hate to think what it looks like right now), in addition to. .. gah ... everything.

But today after all, is Christmas. And in the spirit of love, I have finished my complaining. After all, some poor little kid in Pakistan probably got a stick or a bottle, or maybe even a maraca for Christmas, and they are as jumpy and bubbly and butter boiling. Here I am, in America, one of the greatest lands in the world, complaining that I have so many opportunities. Shame on Chelsea. So, I really am done complaining and will from now on be happy with my clothes that are a little too big (“well, I thought you would grow into them, and didn't you gain a little weight?”) and with my headphones that have no iPod to plug them into. Because I have everything I need and could ever really want - I get to live and be free and happy. YAY!!!!

I hope everyone’s holidays are going really well, and I hope that y’all get to have the same humbling experience, in one way or another, that I am about to describe: As a Bando (my drill team at school), we see the world much as I think a celebrity might: We see all of the beautiful little people, who yes, are our best friends, but who no, somehow do not measure up to our standards. Yet, that is how we see each other - as people who do not measure up to each other's standards. As we celebrate in the grey world, we find that we are never satisfied because we are the best, we know it all. Truly, my friends, we do not. I do not. Who am I to teach Spanish to someone when I have made a 10 on a quiz before? Who am I to chastise someone for not using good diction when I struggle and choke over words myself? All I’m saying guys, is be humble. If you don't you will make a fool out of yourself, and the world will look at you in a completely different way. K? K thanks :).

Hmm ... To make this a bowling blog, let's throw some bowling in here: I finally changed my shot!!! Now it's 4th dot on the left and 3rd arrow. It is a beautiful shot, thank you David Germack. We have a match the day we get back to school against a fairly hard team, so we gotta KILL um!! (rawrr!) Oh, and more good news: I am ranked #2 in the district- jkadskfj yay!!!

Love you guys so much, thank you for always reading this and keeping up with all of your business as am I. xooxoxoxs.

Lights out
Posted by Max Wendel, Westview High School in Oregon | Dec. 24, 2006

Aaahhh winter break, how I love you. Haha ...well this has been a fairly active winter break thus far. I pulled an all-nighter ... played lots of pool and air hockey, oh and a power station right near my house blew up so the entire city lost power for about 6 or 7 hours! That was pretty fun though cause we never lose power. I walked outside with my friend Justin and it was very strange not seeing ANY lights. No streetlamps, no random lights from houses, nothing. Very surreal. I was at my computer when everything went out, and I had to find my way downstairs then find a flashlight with the light from my cell phone. Other than that it’s just been chilling with people and relaxing at home ... gooood times. Oh, and I'm heading up the mountain tomorrow...gonna try my hand at skiing. Cheers!

Closing out this year’s team matches in Split City
Posted by Greg Pizl, Antigo High School in Wisconsin | Dec. 20, 2006

Well this week we traveled 80 miles to a conference double header -- one game out of first place. Match one didn't go so well. We lost match one 6-3. Our normal average is 201 but this match we came up short, hitting 191. It was tough to take knowing that we were so close to first but we kept it together for the second match, which we took 7-2. Now we just sit and wait until the stats get out to see how everyone else finished.

Personally, the first match was my best, having only one open. The second match decided to become split city. My 3 opens were all splits! As a team, we are glad to take a little bit of time off for the holiday. I guess everyone gets a bit burned out but we vowed to come back refreshed! This doesn't mean that I won't be out on the lanes myself -- I still practice 5 days a week regardless. We have our singles match coming up on December 28th. Last year I placed second with a goal of first place this year -- wish me luck! I also have a tournament the day before in Green Bay, WI. I already have my Junior Gold spot but I like the practice on Sport shots. We don't have a lot of opportunity around home for this so I gotta go where the shot is.

Last time I wrote how cold it has been here, well this week it has been in the 40s!!!! We have no snow and for northern WI in December, it is strange. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining! It makes driving easier -- oh yea, forgot to mention that I recently got my temps for driving. So far so good, should have my license April 1st.

Our next match is January 7th so if I do not talk to you until then, have a Merry Christmas -- hope the big guy is good to you!

Part 3- Christmas Sensation
Posted by Chelsea in Dallas | Dec. 18, 2006

Life has been horrid and completely amazing. First of all, I just had my 11-month  anniversary (yay :) ). I don't know if I am ready for this though. My personal plan was to go through and keep going until we hit a problem that we couldn't fix. Beau and I have been through a complete loss (and finding) of religon, cheating, parental problems, financial problems, legal problems ... gah ... everything. He is my best friend, and I couldn't ask for more in a man. But 11 months? Then school is a killer, math/physics is gross and English/US history isn't too much better. But my music collection seems to be growing, so yay! But bah ... the song by Hinder - Lips of an Angel is killing me. I cannot stand it! Goooo away!!

We had our match on Friday, and wow, it was good. They put their #5 bowler with me (#1), but you know what? She wasn't bad. I keep doing something really funky with my hand, and my back, so I've gotta work on that.

Morgan bowled her 1st all-closed frame game with a 221 (bahhhhh!) and we couldn't be more proud of her :). Our Baker games kicked bootay ... 212 and 209. Oh, shout out to The Plano boys' varsity for making a 279 in bakers ... so good y'all!!

Oh, and how could I forget! I got elected captain! WEE!!! It's going to be so great, me and Morgan are going to be great together and I am so happy for this team. I don't think that things can get much better in bowling than this.

Gosh, school and exams are killing me, so Ima go. But I'll talk to y'all soon I hope! Love you guys!!! Thanks for keeping me centered, and right what I need. Much love and Merry Christmas!! Happy holidays!!!

Team building gets the ball rolling on the season
Posted by Felicia Goll, Regina High School in Michigan | Dec. 17, 2006

Last week we began practicing with who our teams were going to be. We have one J.V. team and a Varsity team. Captains were also picked and one other girl and I have been on Varsity since our freshman year so we're co-captains. Our practices consist of doing drills for the first 20 minutes of practice and then we practice baker games. We usually bowl 2 and then we bowl 2 individual games and then we end with shooting corner pins.

We also work on team building off the lanes. Our coaches quiz us about bowling and we discuss the answers as a team before anyone answers. We also stand in a circle and our coach gives us objects to toss to each other. Everyone has to get the object once and no one can get it twice the first time around then Coach throws in more objects and then it gets tricky, buts its fun and it helps with learning to focus. Friday our conference had a scrimmage. We had to bowl 8 Baker games. Our team didn't do bad, we just weren't consistent.  But it was just a scrimmage so that gives us time to improve our Baker line up before the actual season starts, which is Jan. 5

Picking up a spare tipped a win
Posted by Brian Hunt, Father Gabriel Richard High School in Michigan | Dec. 16, 2006

I hope to provide some perspective from a team who is not well known, and quite frankly, isn't as developed as some of the other bloggers’ schools. We had our first match against a tough Huron Riverrats team at Ten Pin Lanes in Tecumseh, Michigan. We lost both Baker games, particularly bad in the second baker game, and it looked to be a repeat of last year's season in which we only won one regular-season meet.

However, in the regular games, we kicked it up a notch. I am the fifth bowler, and it was tied after my nine-ball count in the tenth frame. I believe it was 816-816, and I had to make the 4-pin to win. That was a nerve-wracking spare, let me tell you. Luckily, it nicked the side and I went to finish for a 215 game, and a win for the Fighting Irish. That gave our team some momentum and some hope. In the second 5-on-5 game, Huron appeared rattled, and we rolled over them by a score of something like 820-950, in which I shot a 248 and the co-captain Nate, shot a 264. What a great way to start the season with a victory over a big-name school! (17-13 Gabriel Richard)

Our next match comes this Monday at Colonial lanes where we face a newcomer to the Washawee conference in Clinton. I'm not really sure what to expect, but I know our guys are working hard, and we're going to try our best. I hope to average 220-230 for the season, and I hope our average for 5-on-5 games can be 900+ and bakers 170+. Not great, but for our team, a vast improvement. Wish us luck!!

Tough shot causes low scores for Baker games
Posted by Austin Herter, Chelsea High School in Michigan | Dec. 13, 2006

We had a match on Monday against Clinton and it should have been a blowout but we lost the first two Baker games and were down 10-0. Then we came back and beat them 19-1 in 5-on-5 games, so we won 19-11. The reason we lost the Baker games is that we couldn’t pick up any spares; I think we only picked up 3 spares (2 of them were mine) for both Baker games. Our games were 132 and 135; I know these are the lowest games ever for a match. In 5-on-5 I shot a 213 and a 223, and it was a very tough shot on the lanes. I had to throw the Infinite on the left lane about 15 to 8, and I had to throw the One on the right lane about 15 to 8, and both balls speeds were about 18mph. There were 6 schools at the match and no one was scoring well in the house at all. 

Our next match is against Huron and we play at their home house. It should be a good match.

Sporting on through winter break
Posted by Max Wendel, Westview High School in Oregon | Dec. 11, 2006

Oh I am so looking forward to winter break. I have 5 more days of school, then its 2 and a half weeks of freedom! We're taking breaks from practices over the 2 weeks off, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to be bowling. I'll get in a few games here and there; try not to lose it for when we come back to school.

Anyway over the break we're going up to the mountain for a few days. Gonna try my hand at skiing for only the second time in my life (add the obligatory scene of me slamming into a tree here). It should be awesome though. This year the mountain has had a huge snowfall, and since we don't get any snow in the valley, it should be a welcome sight! Cheers everyone!

Bowling on through the freezing weather
Posted by Greg Pizl, Antigo High School in Wisconsin | Dec. 8, 2006

Last Sunday was match three. So far we remain in first place with a 7 to 2 victory. Team-wise, we averaged 201 for the nine Baker games. I guess practice has really paid off.  After the first two meets, I was ranked first individually, but I struggled just a bit this week so we will have to wait until the stats come out to see if I remain there. Kinda disappointing but bad days happen to us all - it sucks, but the bowling game does go on!

One of our Junior Varsity coaches hit his first 300 this week on Tuesday Night's Men’s League. How cool is that????? I guess the extra practice with the kids has helped him too!

This week in Antigo, Wisconsin has been terribly cold!! Below wind chill factors the last couple nights. But a heat wave of 40 degree temps are headed our way this weekend!  This is a good thing because I am going out of town for a tournament and it is always good when the roads are not covered with ice or snow. High school doesn't have a match until 12/17 and it is a double header -- wish us luck!

Talk to you all again soon!

Team starts out strong but my average has to improve
Posted by Austin Herter, Chelsea High School in Michigan | Dec. 5, 2006

We had our first match today, it was a non-conference, and it was against a school in its 1st match ever. We won 30-0 and we had our 2nd varsity team in most of the time. Our coach pulled our starting five because we were beating them so bad. I bowled in the first 5 on 5 and the coach was going to sub all of the starters out half way thru but I was going on a 280 pace so he let me stay in to finish. I left a solid 7 in the 9th and the 4 pin in the last ball of the 10th for a 258.

In practice we have been working on a lift drill a lot and keeping our eyes down on the mark until the ball hits the pins. We scrimmaged Grass Lake yesterday but once again it wasn’t close, we played our 2nd varsity team most of the time. This fall I’ve been struggling a little and averaging around 205, but I’m pulling out of my slump and now averaging around 230.

Our varsity team is looking real strong again this year and we have great depth on our team. Our team should be averaging around 1,050 to 1,100 for 5 on 50 and for Baker we should average 450 total. My friend Greg and I are co-captains of the team. I should be averaging around 230 and Greg should average around 210 for the high school season. Our goal is to have an undefeated season.

Weather's just fine inside bowling center for high series scoring
Posted By Max Wendel, Westview High School in Oregon | Dec. 4, 2006

In November we had a record amount of rain, and it really took its toll. See, in an average year we get about 35” of rain, and in November alone we had a third of that. Floods, downed trees, downed power lines, wind; it was insane. The one thing we didn't get in November was a huge snowfall. Now, in the Pacific Northwest, especially in the valleys, we don't get a huge amount of snow. In fact, schools will close if there are 2 inches on the ground (I've told that to people I've met from Michigan, Toronto, and other places that get snow and they just laugh). So when the weather forecasters predict more than an inch of snow for Portland, it's a HUGE deal.

However, whenever they do predict snow and ice, they are usually wrong. In the valley they predicted 2-3 inches. We ended up with maybe 1/16 of an inch of snow. Saaad. One day though we actually had ice on the roads cause it never broke 30 degrees. I made the mistake of attempting to drive to school and I almost got into 2 wrecks ...you know, the kind where you try to brake but the car doesn't stop? Yeah. After the first one I decided not to go over 25 mph. It wasn't too fun to be driving that day.

OK, so I saw the new James Bond movie with some friends of mine and we ended up in disagreement over the guy who now plays Bond. To me he was too emotionless and not a very good Bond. Some of my friends thought he was a great Bond and was perfectly fine, and others are just Sean Connery purists so there's no talking to them. For me, it's Pierce Brosnan all the way.

I went bowling at the alley where district is going to held at, and I've decided that I love those lanes. I used my new ball the entire time and I've never bowled better. I rolled a 240, 269, and a 236 for a 745 series. My highest ever, so needless to say I was pretty happy. I went with my friend CJ (he rolled a 588 series) who's getting a lot better. He has a fairly unconventional way of rolling the ball thus making him not as consistent as a lot of people, but he knows how to adjust to the lanes. I think that's going to give him a leg up on other people. Eventually he'll get more consistent and he'll become a really good bowler. Oh. Less than a month till Xmas!!

Have a good week everyone! Cheers!

A pair of almost-700s plus the obligatory Thanksgiving drum solo
Posted by Max Wendel, Westview High School in Oregon | Nov. 27, 2006

You know what's fun? Bowling in a no-tap tournament! It makes it so you don't have to go after those pesky 10 and 7 pins, though if you end up leaving both up, good luck! I bowled at our in house no-tap tourney with a few friends and I ended up 4th with an 813 series (290, 251, 263 plus 9 pins handicap). Haha, I wish I could do that in regular league. I realized that this is my last season being a junior bowler. I'm off to college next year so no more winter league. Sad. Oh well. I plan to join a sport bowling league this summer and/or an adult summer league. That should be pretty cool.

Saturday morning league was great this week!! We all did really well that day. My neighbor, Justin, almost got his very first 700 series. All he needed was one more strike in the 10th frame on his 3rd game and he would have had it! He probably got nervous. I think he ended up with a 681 series-his highest ever. I don't blame him if he was nervous. I remember the first time I went for a 700. I blew two spares in the 9th and 10th frames for a 694 series. Haha. I eventually got my 700 a few weeks later. But Justin was working on something like 6 strikes in a row. He would have had the 700 if he got that 7th strike. In my 3rd game I needed a 229 game to get my second 700 ever, but I missed high and left the 4 pin on the first ball in the 10th.I needed one more strike too. I ended up with a 221 game and a 692 series. My other teammate got a low 600 series, still good for his average. Don't you hate that when all you need is one more good ball and something goes wrong? It happens more often than it should!!

Thanksgiving was, shall we say, filling? A friend of mine was bragging about eating two and a half pounds of mashed potatoes in about 5 minutes. Man I was so full. I could barely eat any pie. It was pretty hectic too. We hosted Thanksgiving at our house again and around 17 people showed up. All my relatives wanted my cousin and me to play music together (he plays guitar and I play the drums). They're relatives, so they always want to hear us play music. It's almost a tradition when a lot of people come over to my house: “oh play some drums for us, Max!” “We want to hear you play!” I'm used to it, but it doesn't mean it gets any less irritating. Drumming rocks so I play. I humor them and get on with the evening. Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving, and I hope that you've digested the meal by now. Cheers!

Part 2 - The Thanksgiving Experience
Posted by Chelsea in Dallas | Nov. 26, 2006

Thanksgiving: the time for food, festivities, and enjoying those that you love. The time that you spend doing whatever you are doing over that break is irreplaceable. Our bowling alley does this traditional Thanksgiving Eve Tournament (Youth-Adult, 9-pin no tap) and I decided to enter it with one of my good friends who just went adult. Wow, could I have asked for a better way to spend a night? We turned down the lights and turned up the music (pwhaha- I heart clichés), and I got to bowl with my coaches and friends. I can't say exactly how well we did, but me and bry made such a great pair!
Anyone for a 9-pin no tap league?

On Thanksgiving, we went to my aunt's house, and you know.. lazied up quite so. When I was there, I realized something that I never thought I would think - this is fun. All of the kids looked up to me - my cousin officially deemed me an “adult.” Then it dawned on me; I am growing up. When did it all happen? I never tried to grow up, I have always just tried to be myself and entertain the possibilities of who I could be. So does that make me an adult? I tried to relate to my second cousin, Macy, but I couldn't anymore. I am 16 and she is 6 ... how can we hang out now that she realizes that she has friends of her own?

For my 18th birthday, I'm going on my mom’s (40-something), aunt’s (50-something), and half-cousin’s (30-something) annual retreat to the outlet malls for Black Friday shopping. When did I fall into the mommy category? When did I grow up so much that I could just lose what I've always known? Aren't I supposed to be gaining wisdom? Well ... from what I can see, I am expected to be an adult just chilling in this teenage life (umm ... how does this make sense?) I don't know what God holds for my future, but I know that I am going to have to be the best person that I can be.

We have a match on Friday, and then the drill team gets to go to WACOOOO! because our football team is amazing. Let me just give a shout-out to one of the stars of my team: Zach ... a great fish and one who can hold the pressure :) I’ll write to you all soon, keep checking back here for the next saga of Chelsea's life! Love you guys!!

Thanksgiving: A week of tuxedos, parties and bowling
Posted by Greg Pizl, Antigo High School in Wisconsin | Nov. 21, 2006

This holiday week was GREAT! Not only did we only have two days of school, but Antigo also held its annual Harvest Ball. The ball is mainly for the sophomore class with formal gowns and tuxes. How cool is that? I went with my best friend Megan. She insisted she looked better in her hockey goalie gear, but I beg to differ! We went out to eat with about 10 other couples, had dessert and pictures at her house afterward, then attended the dance. It had a tropical theme with an awesome DJ. Afterwards, about
30 of us went to a friend’s house for the night. I don't care what anyone says, wearing a tux isn't that bad - kinda James Bond-ish!

Then, on Sunday, we had our second match of the season. We won 6-3 but fell short of our goal; we could have taken all nine but we seemed a bit sluggish at the beginning. I have to give props to my teammate Josh! He sets me up for the fifth and tenth frames but because he was coming down with a cold and just not doing his usual best, he asked to be moved in the rotation with Justin who was bowling great. Now this is teamwork: Josh knew he was not exactly in the zone and asked on his own to be moved. How cool is that? Thinking of the team is part of the whole game when it comes to high school bowling!!! Our girls team fell short against our second boys team - better luck next time girls!

We have our next match next Sunday-until then, have a great week!

First match success proves team is ready to roll straight to state
Posted by Chelsea in Dallas | Nov. 19, 2006

Wow, have I missed those exciting Friday nights. No no . I'm not talking about the football games that I've performed at for the past 11 weeks. I'm talking about my games. Our team has practiced, but over the past month we've become a little lazy. But Friday ... man ... we were all there. There was no one who could stop anyone of us. My first game was under average, and ok, my second game of 191 could have been so much better if I had struck out. But ... wow y'all . just wow. One girl had her first 200 game, we rocked in Bakers, and one of my best friends and I forgot about the competition on our lanes and wanted nothing more than to kick each other's butts. (Yeah ... she beat my last game ... BY 2 PINS ...) Could I ask for a better way to spend a Friday night? Not at all. It proves that bowling really is a sport that can bring everyone together to show love to each other. This is a team sport, and we were such a team that it inspired a sense of responsibility in each other to not let the others down. I can't wait to see what this team is going to do in the future, and I can't wait to see that state champion trophy ... I can already feel it, this is our year. Our girls just have to remember to make it our year.

Besides bowling and dancing, my life is good. Homework is freaking overwhelming. I get to hang out with my best friend, the man that I love, Beau. My friends are a little freaking out ... but it's ok, it's part of this glorious life that I am privileged enough to live. Oh yeah, and our football team won on Saturday!! The other highlight of my life: I also get Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday off haha.. yesss...WEE!!!

I hope all of you guys are doing well, and I hope you enjoy this column. This is my heart and my journal for the next year, so I am thrilled that you are taking the time to read it now. It's a new thing for me, and I want to make sure you guys keep coming back for more and more and be as excited to read it as I am excited to write it. Love y'all! Happy Turkey Day to everyone!! Love, Chelsea

Splitting team, not pins?
Posted by Max Wendel, Westview High School in Oregon | Nov. 14, 2006

The team keeps growing! Last week was our first practice and we had 7 people, and now it's up to 11. What I've started to see is that underneath our competitive urge to do well at districts and (hopefully) state, some people are now competing with each other to see who may or may not make a certain team. We all have the feeling that we could get split, with better bowlers on one team and the other bowlers on another. Again, it's just a feeling that we've had, nothing’s been said by our coach. Unfortunately I fear this may have a negative affect on our practices because now some people aren't concentrating on their game, they're concentrating on beating another teammate.

I don't think I have anything to worry about, and I don't think that other teammates do either. My average is about 206 right now, and another guy's average is hovering around 200. This team-competition is really affecting 3- 4 people within our team, but it creates the wrong kind of atmosphere you'd like to see at a practice. I'm just hoping they get back to their senses and realize that what they need to be concentrating on is the bowling, and not who gets where. But anyway, apart from that, I'm going to bowl at the lanes where district is being held this year to try to get a sense of what the lanes are like. It helped me last year, so I figure, why not this year? Cheers!

No need for coed teams anymore
Posted by Greg Pizl, Antigo High School in Wisconsin | Nov. 10, 2006

The season has finally begun! After three weeks of high school practice, we had our first conference meet this past weekend. My team went 8-1, averaging 199 for the nine games. Not too bad for the first time out! This year is a bit different for me as I am used to coed bowling but our school finally has enough girls to field their own varsity team. -- Way to go girls!! My team has four seniors and myself, a sophomore. It is pretty cool though because the guys and I have been bowling together for over nine years in youth league so we know each other pretty good. This seems to help when things don't go the way we plan. Our next meet is November 26 -- until then -- keep practicing!

The varsity debate
Posted by Max Wendel, Westview High School in Oregon | Nov. 8, 2006

Aaahhh the first practice of the season! I've been looking forward to this since school started! Compared to our team last year, I feel that we are even stronger. One of our key players graduated last year so we lost him. It's not so bad though, we got a few more people on the team who are pretty good bowlers, and a few players that were on the team last year, including myself, are better now than we were before.

One thing that was brought up during the team meeting at the end of practice was the fact that the coach and some parents were trying to get bowling recognized as a varsity sport and not just as a club. "But bowling isn't a sport" the district will say. Well, I have a few things to say to that: one, bowling is an internationally recognized sport. There are hundreds of tournaments around the world where competition is fierce. Two, isn't there something called the Professional Bowlers Association? It's not the 'Professional Bowlers Club'! I guess this is something that will debated for a while, and I'll post on whether or not we've been upgraded to varsity. Still, regardless on what happens with our title, I have a good feeling about this year. Cheers!