The sounds of a supportive team blast towards the athlete from the background. Coaches stand tense and toss helpful reminders as the bowler carefully aligns the ball up with the 10 pins at the end of the lane. As she swings her arm back, preparing to release the ball onto
The school bowling team has increased in size and support of each other.
“I love the team aspect of it all,” sophomore Salvador Galindo said. “Everyone supports you as you make your shot and we work together a lot more than in some other sports.”
But the students on the team are not only supported by each other. Members feel the boys coach Daniel Villa and girls coach John Hagl are a key element in the success of the team.
“The coaches are really supportive,” Galindo said. “They are not NISD employees so they take time out of their own busy lives and jobs and help us out and train us. They care about us and give us
good tips on how to improve our game.”
Coaches work on team building by teaming up the members in a game called Baker’s where several people play one game. Each person plays a certain frame which is calculated into one score for everyone.
With the stress of completing schoolwork, athletes on the bowling team also have to keep up with practices and games throughout the week.
“We leave the bowling alley a little late sometimes,” sophomore Christian Guerrero said. “But if you’re responsible, you still have plenty of time to get your work done.”
According the team members, bowling is more than a school sport. It’s a team game that requires dedication, focus, and patience.
“Bowling is all about consistency and repetition,” Galindo said. “It’s just you up there when you’re throwing the ball and it all depends on you.”
Skilled bowlers, according to Galindo, use math skills to detemine what angle to hit the pins and how sharply to curve the ball in order to get a strike.
“You also have to remain calm under pressure,” Galindo said. “It’s loud in the alley but you have to focus on just your lane and the pins and block out everything else.”
To the athletes, bowling is more than just a sport that teaches them how to throw a ball. Many of the athletes have learned lessons that can be applied to school and life, in general.
“I’ve learned how consistency is important both in bowling and school,” Galindo said. “You need to find a method that works and then perfect it until you can succeed with it. And when you mess up, don’t kick yourself for it, just try again.”