High School Bowling Try Outs Underway In Oklahoma

The 22nd season of Oklahoma High School Bowling begins next month and tryouts are already underway at bowling alleys across the state.

Sahoma Lanes in Sapulpa is the home base for several area high school teams. Cooper Ward with Oklahoma High School Bowling said it is a very accessible sport.

"It is completely free," he said. "Other than transportation your shoes are free, they have bowling balls here at the bowling alley, your practice is free, competition is free, everything."

Brooklyn Smith, a junior at Kellyville High School, started playing when she was a freshman.

"I have never bowled before. My friends just said hey want to come join high school bowling and I said sure," she said.

Since picking up a bowling ball, Smith has excelled.

"I have made lots of friends and I have got really good bowling opportunities past high school bowling," she added.

High school bowling is a team sport.

"The way you bowl is not traditional as like one score," said Ward. "You all bowl one game together, your first bowler will bowl your first frame, your second bowler will bowl your second frame, and so on."

Ward also played when he was in high school and said it taught him a lot of important life lessons.

"It taught me so much about teamwork, about how to lead a team, but how to also be a member of a team," he continued saying, "You know, you are not bowling so good, you are not going to be the best guy on the team that day and that is okay."

Those are the same things Smith and her teammates are learning today.

"It just teaches me to be a better teammate and respect everyone on my team and helps me be a better leader," she said.

It is a mental game, but one these students can enjoy for a lifetime.

"Bowling is so up and down. You can throw eleven strikes in a row and miss the last one and so it teaches you resiliency and determination to do better the next time," said Ward.

Anyone interested in trying out for their high school team or creating a team should contact their local bowling center. More information can also be found HERE

The season begins on December 8th.