The GRC Bowling Team is a tight-knit community.
Once a group of three boys, the team has grown into a striking group of 20 kids, filling up the school bus seats on their way to practice each week.
“When I took over during the 2019-20 season we had no returning bowlers from prior years.” Coach Dodd Dixon said. “That year we had 3 bowlers and were crushed at every match, but we were building and growing.”
Even with the loss of experienced bowlers who graduated, the bowling team has transformed into a powerful team, growing exponentially in their talents.
“For the 4th year in a row we have had a student athlete that has made the all star team for regionals,” Dixon said. “This is huge as only 12 make the team out of a possible 150 to 200 kids.”
Determined by the vote of the coaches in the region, Junior Hunter Rogers will be a member of the Region 8 All-Star Team competing against the other 7 regions.
“Several of our bowlers are kids that this is their sport in high school,” said Coach Dixon. “I am big on kids participating in multiple sports, but you need a mix of kids that this is their main sport to find true success. I feel we have that mix.”
The three-day Region Competition was held at the end of January.
It’s a tough competition, in a crowded alley. The distractions are high and only the best of the best progress to the next rounds.
“No matter what you’re doing, if you’re passionate about something you will stress over it,” Senior Ava Mardis said. “There are times when bowling can be stressful, but overall it’s a place where I can just let loose and just have fun with my friends.”
High school sports are notorious for causing unneeded stress to students. However, bowling is full of positive, supportive reinforcement, ensuring the players do their best.
“The team atmosphere is extremely welcoming and friendly,” sophomore Jolie Borders said. “You can show up, play your worst and everyone will still be laughing with you and helping you get better.”
The team traveled to Ohio in mid-January for a tournament, getting in their practice right before the region competition.
“This year’s overnight trip helped us in both areas,” Coach Dixon explained. “We were able to get in eight hours of practice on our trip to Ohio. It’s a change from prior years when the team only competed locally. The more experienced the bowlers the better able they are to handle different situations in competition.”
While the point of the trip may have been to bowl, the team learned some history along the way.
“We were not only able to visit President Taft’s home, but got to compete in some of the oldest bowling alleys in the nation,” said Dixon. “One bowling alley was built in 1908 and the other is the site of one of professional bowlings oldest and most distinguished competitions.”
So far this group of athletes have competed all across Kentucky as well as Tennessee and Ohio.
“We have a solid program at GRC,” Dixon said. “We are right in the middle of the pack which is great for now.”
After losing over half of the girls team to graduation, the following seasons will require lots of new and upcoming female bowlers.
The entire boys team returns for another year. Both teams are expected to hold future successes and plenty of fun.
Whether you’ve scored strikes back to back, or played the worst game of your life, wanting to crawl in a hole from embarrassment, bowling is a sport that people can come back to as a positive sport.
