By BILL SNIER
WOOSTER — Tony Carson had several short-term bowling goals he wanted to accomplish after returning during the 2024-25 fall-winter season.
Heading into May, the 41-year-old Wooster right-hander was able to reach some of them, including his 111th career 300 game, a runner-up finish in a College Bowl Tournaments Series singles event and capturing a Hit Dem Pockets doubles event.
The final one came early in April — and admittedly got “a huge monkey off my back.”
Carson, a machinist by trade who had taken nearly three years off following two surgeries on his left knee, put together games of 279, 269 and 273 for an 821 series in a substitute role at Ballerz Sports Club. He now has “over 80” 800s overall.
“I felt like I had been throwing the ball well enough, but I just couldn’t string big games together,” said Carson, who was a member of the Higgy’s Aquarium team that captured the 2016 USBC Open Championships all-events team title.
“I don’t think I was as nervous for the 800 as I was for the 300, maybe because it had been so long since my last honor score.”
HIs last 800 came “five or six years ago,” with his last 300 coming four years ago.
But getting himself in “bowling shape” has been a 10-year process with a few missteps along the way to go along with his injuries.
BATTLING KNEE PROBLEMS
The injury problems began years ago with the left knee for Carson, and he had to have two procedures done in 2024 — one in April and the other in August.
Then, to add to the difficulties, he needed arthroscopic surgery on his right knee about six weeks ago to repair a large meniscus tear.
“I still have a trust issue with it to a degree, depending,” Carson said. “I always check the approaches before I bowl … that is something I never used to do.
“I can’t afford to go up there and stick or slide too much or the knee could give out. I’m very cautious now … and really stay away from water (on the floors).”
He has been active in the gym, doing a lot more conditioning, including stretches and even yoga.
“Instead of just lifting to get bigger, there were other things I needed to do,” Carson said. “I never thought I would do yoga, but it helps.
“Flexibility is very important on the lanes. It’s about being ready to compete and not hurt yourself.”
But along with the physical side of the game, Carson also had to deal with his own inner demons and attitude. It is something he has been very open about on his road to recovery from abuse problems.
WORKING HIS WAY BACK
Carson admittedly “hit rock bottom about five or six years ago.”
“I had no one to blame but me, and I started to accept that,” Carson said. “I was hanging around the wrong people … not the crowd you want to be around with how I was.
“I needed to get some better influencers in my life. I turned more to my faith. I’ve always been a follower, but I turned more to that and it helped.”
Attitude — or rather a change in it — has been a key for Carson.
“I’ve done a huge amount of work on my mental game … just mental exercises period for everyday life. I look at different situations a lot differently now,” Carson said. “You rarely see me get mad or frustrated because it only jeopardizes your next shot and the rest of the tournament.
“You have to be strong mentally up there (his head). One thing I’ve tried to do is share my story … I’m pretty open about it now and try to help people. That’s the part that is gratifying.”
But, he admits, it’s an ongoing process.
“Do I still have a drink once in a while? Yes, but not while I’m competing,” Carson said. “If I go away for a weekend and have one I see nothing wrong with that.
“I had to learn either do it that way or completely stop. My health is more important than that.”
As for the future, Carson still needs another surgery on his left foot.
“I need reconstruction surgery on it, although it really isn’t something that is needed immediately,” Carson said. “But it’s going to require about 12 weeks of rehab.
“I just want to make sure the timing is right and that I’m not jeopardizing my team,” said Carson, who will return to the USBC Open Championships in Baton Rouge, La., in July.
As for next season, Carson plans on bowling in the Ashland draft league, possibly another league at Ballerz Sports Club and “a lot of big stuff and show support for the smaller stuff locally when I can.”
“When I came back, there were some prior issues I had to deal with. But those are not issues anymore so I’ve come full circle a bit,” Carson said.
“People are stating to see the old Tony before that old stuff, which is really cool.”
And the short-term goals can then turn into long-term ones as well.
ANOTHER 800 AT MINERVA
Former Alliance High School bowling coach Brian Kelly also shot his 12th career 800 series in the Gionino’s Pizza league at Minerva Bowl.
The 58-year-old right-hander had games of 257, 300 and 248 for an 805 series. It was his 24th career 300 game. The Robertson Heating Supply employee also has an all-time career high of 831.
“It was great just having the league cheer me on,” Kelly said. “ Also, I had my son (Sean) film the final three shots.”