Last Wednesday and Thursday, Feb 6 and 7, the Girls Bowling Team reached the peak of their season as they got to send some of their best bowlers off to state at Bowlero, Tukwila WA. The team, coached by Rhonda Bash, has been known to create a strong sense of community and friendships among players. It was a full team effort to get bowlers to state, and everyone had something to contribute to the state qualifiers this season. When asked about her favorite part of bowling, Mackenna Russon, a JV bowler in her first year of bowling, said “Probably the matches we do, they aren’t as stressful” and that “The atmosphere is chill and everyone’s nice to each other” (Russon). State qualifier Clara Johnston, a sophomore in her second year of bowling, also commented on the team’s energy, “I was nervous (at state) the first day, but the team helped calm my nerves” (Johnston).
The success of the team has not just been luck, there is much work put in behind the scenes to push competitors to state. “We have practice every day” (Russon), and they work hard every practice to improve their skills. The state competition itself was also stressful and tiring, “It is very exhausting because it’s all day, but fun!….And very loud” (Johnston). The location was also intimidatingly big, “I think it was 30 lanes” (Johnston). However, the stress and work paid off, at least for bowling star Clara Johnston “I would say I did good, especially for my first time at state” (Johnston).
Both Russon and Johnston plan on bowling next year as well, the team will be stacked with talented returners who promise yet another successful season. So show up and show out to support our state-competing bowlers!
