AKRON — Right-hander Wade Allen began bowling two-handed at the age of 3 for a simple reason.
The bowling ball was too heavy.
“When I started bowling one-handed, the ball was always too heavy for me,” the 13-year-old Coventry Middle School eighth-grader said. “I just got really good two-handed, so I just stuck with it.”
During the first week of junior league at Spins Bowl Akron on Saturday, Allen hit his first bowling milestone. After games of 203 and 205, he recorded his first 300 game.
“It just felt amazing,” said Allen, the son of Lindsay and John Allen of Akron. “To be honest, I thought it would take more time before I would get one. I didn’t think I would get one this young.”
Allen, who rolled his previous high game of 276 just three months ago, has received instruction from his father and Professional Bowlers Association member Ron Bell.
“He’s taught me to breathe a lot, and take deep breaths before every shot,” Allen said of working with Bell. “Just working with my timing, my accuracy and my spare shooting.”
After his first two games, Allen, who averaged 200 in junior play a year ago, made some changes.
“I just slowed way down, took my time and focused more,” Allen said.
And how was his nerves going for that first 300 in the 10th frame?
“There were a lot of nerves … my legs were shaking a lot, but I didn’t move from where I was playing the whole game,” Allen said. “I thought the last ball was going to be a little high, but, at the same time, I knew that ball could hold off a bit. So I thought I had a good chance.”
Allen used a Hammer Black Widow for his milestone. He also carries a Purple Hammer, Brunswick Twist and 900 Global After Dark in his arsenal.
“It’s spare ball, but it’s not my spare ball,” Allen said of the Widow.
Allen’s family has made an effort to have him bowl in more Junior Tournament Bowlers Association (JTBA) events this season. He finished 19th in the 15U division during the Spins Bowl Akron event and was ninth after the four-game qualifier during the Mystery Trio event at Clutch Lanes and Sports Center.
“I’m just starting to get more into it this year,” Allen said. “I’m looking forward to bowling in high school.”
Not a bad way to kick off the season.