08/20/2024
We had a TIME this weekend, some of our juniors from across the county were selected to be a part of the unique TNBA/USBC weekend experience at the unique International Training and Research Center in Arlington, Texas.
From start to finish, it was a whirlwind of fun, learning, and unforgettable memories. This event which was created through a partnership between The National Bowling Association and the United States Bowling Congress for more than a decade ago, provided eight TNBA juniors an experience of a lifetime.
Over the course of the three-day program, student- athletes received on-lane training and participated in drills and classroom sessions with the ITRC staff. Participants had the opportunity to tour the ITRC, the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, and hear from guest speaker AJ Johnson who is currently apart of the PBA and Team USA.
Applications were sent to TNBA youth members between the ages of 15-18. As part of the application process, players were asked to submit a video, showing their bowling style from different angles, along with a resume of their accomplishments. This year, eight participants were selected from that pool which were three girls and five boys, which are as follows:
Ms. Sydney Smoot, Chesapeake Bay Senate
Mr. Micheal Jones, Chesapeake Bay Senate
Ms. Nevaeh Williams, Queen City Senate.
Mr. Daveon Bickcom, Chicago Senate.
Mr. Clayton Washington, Greater Richmond Senate.
Mr. Ezra Bentkowski, Greater East Bay Senate
Ms. Olivia Cameron, Chicago Senate
Mr. Gregory Daniels II, Detroit Senate
During the weekend, an emphasis was placed on individual instruction to develop both the physical and mental game. The instruction included the use of the ITRC’s advanced video analysis systems, analysis using Specto technology and additional statistical analysis. There were sessions covering the bowler’s release and an assessment of each player’s spare shooting.
Also, during this visit, TNBA Juniors were shown exactly what being a part of The National Bowling Association family is all about. When 2016 Queen Mary Murphy, and 2019 Queen Wanda Parker, who is also the current King and Queen program director, showed up and welcomed each athlete to Texas. And as you can see, they came bearing gifts.
MAJOR shout outs to our Western Regional Tournament Director Queen Pamela Sterling for all her hard work to make this event a success. And to our Assistant Junior Program Director Dominique Walker, who is always working behind the scenes working hard to make sure we as a program stay on track, and who never looks for any recognition. Thank you, we are headed in the right direction because of you.
So, on this founders’ day let us remember the principles in which our organization was founded upon. Our founders did not always agree, however they still found a way to build an organization for us to enjoy and cherish. But it is our obligation, to build up the next generation and prepare them to continue the traditions of TNBA and allow them to take us to the next phase of growth for this organization.
