Compared to previous seasons, the bowling team has found more success this year, leading against many of their competitors in recent matches.
As they near the end of the season, they’re looking toward their upcoming Dec. 18 match and postseason run, but they’re also reflecting on their reasons for joining.
According to players on the team, the bowling team helps give its members a safe space and opportunities for relationships.
The bowling team doesn’t require participants to be super fit or have all the time in the world, with short practice around an hour and a half on Mondays and Wednesdays, as well as matches on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. According to its members, the bowling team is a fun and competitive group that competes against the other schools and has - a great time while doing it.
“You don't really need any equipment,” junior Jack Basham said. “You can just get bowling shoes from the alley and use a house ball.”
Without causing too much stress about spending all one’s time or money on the sport, the bowling team is something inexpensive and interesting to do in the winter.
“We basically get to go bowling two to three days a week for a very low price,” Basham said.
The team also helps with social skills. It gives the team members a place to feel comfortable and other players to talk to giving the opportunity to create great relationships with others.
“Bowling has brought me out more than what I have been,” senior Keith Owens said. “I'm not really an overly social person and will tend to stay quiet around most people. I showed this heavily my freshman year of high school, as I didn't really know anyone, and in turn, I kept to myself. This year compared to four years ago, I'm a little more social now that I know a lot more people, but still prefer to keep to myself. I put myself out there more now.”
The bowling team helps players become better bowlers with benefits like organization, focusing, thought process and, of course, bowling.
“I've become a better bowler, getting to bowl with the kids, and it has helped me better [my] organization with having to deal with the funds and stuff like that,” Coach Paul Willis said.
According to Willis, players don’t have to be the best at bowling or the most athletic to do it well. The bowling team is mostly just about having fun and enjoying the sport even if you aren’t very good at it.
“They're not only great on the team, but they're the ones in school who aren't getting in trouble,” Willis said of the team members. “They're setting a good example.”