NORTH CANTON — A strained back derailed some of 16-year-old Bobby Brennan’s hopes during the summer bowling season.
But the Conotton Valley High School junior admits to having a lot to look forward to as the high school bowling season approaches Nov. 18 — not only individually, but as far as the Division II Rockets team and environment are concerned.
“I don’t want to jeopardize us with unrealistic expectations,” said Brennan, who shot a tournament best 954 actual series to finish second in the 18U division during the Stark County USBC Youth Singles Fall tournament Sunday at Park Centre Lanes.
“But we have a strong five and even a strong six, which has been our struggle the past couple of years. We needed that other bowler to come in and out. Out team cohesion has really built upon itself. We have a really super strong foundation, and the kids are really starting to understand the sport with lanes, balls and other areas. They’re getting lessons, bowling in more tournaments.
“We’ve come up short on the state level the last two years, but we are really focusing on that and feeling as one. We are focusing on spare shooting, making good shots and putting our best foot forward.”
Also coming into play is the new Rocket Center, a new state-of-the-art multipurpose facility that will include a 10-lane bowling center. It is set to open during the upcoming high school season.
“It is just an amazing, state-of-the-art facility … the approaches, lanes, machines, pins … the atmosphere is just beautiful,” Brennan said. “I’m looking forward to bringing other teams in there to experience it. We’ve been practicing there, and we’re going to be ready for anything.”
Perry High School’s Carson Presutti topped the 18U division with 1,059 in the handicap event, shooting 855 actual, followed by Brennan, McKinley’s Jason Waggoner (948) and Michael Stein (940).
“I understand Park Centre plays a little wet-dry, so I came out with a plan of keeping the (Motiv) Venom Shock in my hand,” said Brennan, a two-handed right-hander. “But I saw the outsides were really ripping, super alive and very touchy, but I saw inside had a lot of hold and it was medium and clean. So I thought I could get a little further left and bring the zone in a bit.
“But in the third game, it broke apart. The inside was taking oil down the lane and the outside was getting even more burnt so it got super confusing.”
After going 218 in Game 3, Brennan adjusted again to finish with 257.
“The final game, I told myself to shut down the angle, get it to the eighth or ninth board down to 42 or 43 feet to the spot and play to my ability,” Brennan said. “It was really a mental grind on a house shot. You had to be consistent. So I just brought the ball speed back just a tad and made a hand adjustment.”
Brennan has worked with former Team USA coach Jeri Edwards along with coaches Ron Hatfield and Bill Henson.
“Jeri is my main coach and I owe everything to her,” said Brennan, who goes to Edwards every two weeks. “She’s amazing … probably the most vibrant person I’ve ever met. It’s been the most amazing experience.”
He also has encouraged his teammates to seek out Edwards to improve their games.
“I’m really looking forward to a strong season,” Brennan added.
OTHER WINNERS
The Stark County USBC awarded SMART fund scholarships to the top four in the boys 18U division, the top two in the boys 13U and girls 18U divisions and one scholarship for the girls 13U division. The event drew a 44-player field.
Other winners:
- Canton’s Braylan Gawlak topped the boys 13U division with 987, finishing 66 pins ahead of East Canton’s Dylan Lint (921).
- Alexis Wright of Ladson, S.C., topped the girls 18U with 1,042, followed by Tallmadge’s DeeDee Elijah (966).
- Norton’s Cassidy Myers finished first in the girls 13U division with 863, with Massillon’s Serenity Hartleben finishing second (842).
Top scholarships awarded ranged from $300 to $230, with the lowest payout being $98. The event was bowled on a house oil pattern.
See complete results here:
https://www.facebook.com/StarkCountyUSBC
NEXT EVENT
The Stark County USBC will be holding a Halloween Youth Mixed Doubles handicap event at 10 a.m. Oct. 30 at AMF Hall of Fame Lanes.
Entry fee is $50 per team, with competition in two age divisions for boys and girls. Partners must be in the same age division and the same gender. If partners are in two separate age divisions, the team must bowl in the 18U division.
Teams will bowl two individual games and four Baker System games, with scholarships being awarded based on total pins, including handicap.
For entry information, watch the Stark County USBC on Facebook or pick up at area centers.