Bowling teams head for sectionals

Bowling may not be as widely known as the other natural sports favorites, but the boys’ and girls’ teams are just as serious and successful.  Although the sport has a large individual component, the teams are strong, practice together, and support each other.

Junior Kendra Stakelbeck, the captain of the girls’ team, is enthusiastic for the upcoming sectional competition.  Stakelback won state individually last year, and will carry the fifth (anchor) spot on her team Jan. 23 in sectionals.

“I’m very superstitious,” Stakelbeck said.  She goes prepared to each game with her bowling shirt, shoes, purple socks, and her hair up.  She also owns five of her own bowling balls for specific lane conditions.  Her expertise has sprouted from a family of bowlers, her lifetime of experience, along with her job conveniently located with Stardust Bowl.

Junior Tori Price has bowled for three months, and finds the team as a fun outlet.

“I heard they needed more people, and it seemed fun,” Price said.  The bowling team provides a stress-free environment conducive to self-improvement.

Senior Travis Worthen has bowled since he was three years old.  Worthen enjoys being with friends and the energized meets.

“There’s a lot of people who show up to the meets,” Price said.  The games do pack in the people, but the players work to keep their composure.

“I usually don’t get nervous except when I get more and more strikes in a row and feel the pressure of keeping it up,” Worthen said.

Boths the boys’ and girls’ teams will compete for sectionals Jan. 23 beginning with the positions round.

Both teams are confident: “No one can beat Kendra,” Price said.

Image from www.faqs.org.