Lincoln Teen Bowls a Perfect Game
Youth Bowling Program Would Love Kids to Join Them at Logan Lanes

 

[November 22, 2023] 

Local teenager Ryan Miller has accomplished something many have attempted and few have achieved: a perfect game. Miller, who turned 18 this month, bowled a 300 on September 30, 2023 while bowling with the Land of Lincoln Youth Bowling hosted by Logan Lanes in Lincoln. Lincoln Daily News caught up with Miller to ask him about his accomplishment and his sport.

How did you get started bowling?
It was something to try out. My dad [Terry Miller] bowls. I started in the summer of 2016 when I was ten years old.

What do you like about it?
I like the competition. I like trying to beat others. Now I try to beat my dad’s score from leagues every week.

Since you like competition, do you compete in anything else?
Racing. I am in my third season racing Pro Crate Late Models. I started with racing quarter midgets when I was 11.

When did you know you were going to bowl a perfect game?
Not until the last frame. Before, in 2021, I got to the second to last frame [before a mistake].

What was your reaction after you bowled 300?
Relief that I didn’t mess up and excitement that I didn’t mess up. At the tenth frame everyone stops. You can feel everyone staring at you. My legs were shaky.

What is your strategy or secret?
You have to not think about it. Pretend you are in your first or second frame. Because if you think too much then you try harder and make more mistakes. Try to act like you are not very far into the game.

How heavy is the bowling ball you use?
Fifteen pounds. I think the heaviest is 16 pounds.

What is your future in bowling?
I plan on bowling in adult leagues after this year. This was my third time getting my name on the wall. [Anyone who bowls a perfect or near-perfect game gets his or her name on the wall of Logan Lanes with the score and the date.] I want it again.

What would you say to kids who are interested in getting started bowling?
Just try it. If it's something you like, you can practice more.

While many might consider bowling something fun for a birthday party or once in a while with friends, Shellie Jones, League Representative, explained why bowling is an excellent sport for children: “Bowling is beneficial for kids. There is not as much pressure as other sports. All kids get to participate– there is no sitting on a bench or waiting your turn. There are no try-outs; just sign up. Everyone gets to bowl.”

Miller’s mother, Dawn, added that “Bowling is not a very expensive sport. Kids teased Ryan that it’s not a sport, but he just said, ‘It has a ball!’” Jones stated that Ryan is “a good role model. He shows the younger kids it [a perfect game] can be done. He has a great attitude.”

Jones went on to explain additional opportunities that come with participating in youth bowling: college scholarships. For many years, Pepsi has partnered with the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) to sponsor bowling tournaments that allow kids to earn scholarships. The USBC website, www.bowl.com,  explains, “Beginning with qualifying during their leagues, youth bowlers have the opportunity to advance to a state finals event and earn scholarships, where they can compete against bowlers from across their state. Last year, more than $500,000 in scholarships was awarded across the country as part of this tournament.”

The Youth Bowling program at Logan Lanes hosts league-level qualifying events every year in October, along with locations across the state. Illinois has 12 regions, and the top ten in each age division advance to the regional tournaments. From regionals, bowlers advance to the Illinois Pepsi Youth Championship Tournament which takes place in May. The national championship this season will be held in July in Detroit, Michigan.

Another program for kids that Logan Lanes participates in happens during summer break from school: Kids Bowl Free. By signing up on the website www.kidsbowlfree.com,  kids can register to play free games seven days a week at participating locations. This program gives kids plenty of time for both practice and fun during the summer months when regular Saturday practices pause for the Youth Bowling program at Logan Lanes. Jones added that Logan Lanes owner, Keith Hasprey, also runs affordable spreads to coincide with school holidays for practice and for fun. This fall Logan Lanes is also hosting Adult/Junior Fun Rollin’ Family Bowling League on Tuesdays with teams of one adult and one child. Each child participating in the Family Bowling League receives a bowling ball included in the price of the league.

The youth bowling season at Logan Lanes starts the first Saturday after Labor Day and bowls every Saturday morning. Warm-ups start at 9:15 a.m. and bowling begins at 9:30. Kids bowl three games and 5 certified coaches are on hand for advice and instruction. The Youth Bowling program is open to kids ages 5-18, and the youngest beginners bowl with bumpers.

Land of Lincoln Youth Bowling will start another season in the new year running from January 6 until the end of April with Saturday practices at the same time. At the end of the season, they plan to celebrate with cosmic bowling, a pizza party, point totals, and awards. “We would love to pull more kids into the Youth Bowling Program,” Jones said.

Jones noted that Logan Lanes has new pins, a new menu, and plans to get synthetic boards in the coming year which glide better and are easier on the bowling ball. For more information about events and leagues visit the Logan Lanes website at www.loganlanes.com.  For more information about youth bowling contact Shellie Jones at [e-mail]  or [phone].

[Stephanie Hall]