The University’s bowling club, the state’s only United States Bowling Congress (USBC)-sanctioned team, sent 12 of its 16 members to Las Vegas for the Rebel Invitational two weeks ago, the club’s first tournament in nine years.
It was also the first tournament for most of the team.
“It was an eye-opener that we need to get a USBC certified coach, cheaper practice locations and more practices,” University junior Lorenzo Clark said.
Though the team took last place in both men’s and women’s events, it is planning a comeback by training and competing in three tournaments during the following academic year.
“When you look at the established programs, they go to 10 to 12 tournaments a season. They go to the maximum they can. The established programs have the funds to do that. That will just come with time,” University sophomore Zach Holloway said.
Tournaments are expensive and require planning; the Rebel Invitational cost more than $2,300. The club asked for and was granted an increase in funding from $300 to $1,200 for the coming academic year by the Club Sports office. The additional money will go toward tournament costs, according to the club’s president, Marissa Hill.
The club was inactive until fall of 2006 when Ryan Youngberg re-banded the team. When Youngberg graduated, the bowling team folded.
“Once Ryan didn’t come back, I realized that I really like it. I wanted to get the club together again. I went and talked to Club Sports,” Hill said.
Since October, Hill spent nearly 13 hours in the Club Sports office planning for the Las Vegas tournament. She single-handedly secured a spot in the tournament, booked hotel rooms and rented cars.
She is working with University of California, Davis’ coach to construct a western conference, similar to the Pacific-10 Conference. The winner of the conference would earn an automatic bid to sectionals.
If this conference succeeds, the bowling club will have the opportunity to get even more competitive.
“Its not like the basketball team goes out and plays 21 and then goes home. They have structured exercises they do to improve their game,” Holloway said.
The team has doubled its size since the start of the academic year and most members bowled recreationally before the team.
University freshman Nathan Skogland has bowled for the last five years.
“I definitely like that it’s a personal competition. On a day-to-day basis it is how can my shot get better, can I pick this up, and can I improve my score,” Skogland said.
“I see it with both the recreational side and competitive side,” Hill said. “Being a club sport we encourage everyone to join us.”
The bowling club meets every Friday at 3:30 p.m. at Emerald Lanes for two hours.
“We have an interim coach that helps people. If he is not there, some people from the club help out,” Clark said.
The team plays on eight of the alley’s 24 lanes. Emerald Lanes posts team member’s scores and averages.
“It’s something fun to do at the end of the week. Being able to compete makes it just that much more exciting,” Hill said.
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