The lucky strike: West, 14, bowls 703 for state title

CROTHERSVILLE, Sep 08, 2009 (The Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- UBWL | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Of all the times Eryn West has bowled, none match up to the one on March 14.

The 14-year-old from Crothersville was competing in the youth division of the state United States Bowling Congress competition at Evansville. That weekend, he was doing singles, doubles and a five-man team.

After 10 minutes of warm-ups, West began his singles game and rolled a 703 series.

"I bowled singles, and that's when I really caught fire," West said, adding that he went in averaging 165 per game.

"That was my first 700 series," he said, and his highest to that point was 617.

The irony of it all is that a week before, his father played in the state tournament and bowled his highest series, a 624.

"He bowled his highest, which was the highest in our household, and I went to the state tournament and bowled a 703," West said, "and he was like, 'man, you got me. I only had it for five days.'"

While West may have found his lucky strike that day, he did something before his round that made it all happen.

"On the way down there and before I got up that morning, I prayed, because you've got to pray," he said. "I just asked God whatever needs to happen, let it happen. I got there and the first ball I threw went just how I wanted it to go, a big flush strike, a high flush. From that point on, it was just every time."

West competed in Division 4, and he said the divisions are based upon averages, with Division 1 being those who average around 200 per game. Bowlers can participate in the youth tournament until age 21, and West said he competed against youth of various ages.

He earned two $300 scholarships, one for all-events handicap and the other for all-events actual (no handicap), and he was awarded those on Aug. 8 at the Marriott East in Indianapolis.

It was West's sixth time competing at the state tournament, which is held once a year but at different locations.

It was his first time winning at the state level, but he's collected several trophies through local competitions, including ones at Scottsburg Lanes.

West said he plays in leagues at the bowling alley in the summer and winter, and he has been bowling with three of his friends for five years.

"We usually practice twice or three times a week," West said.

He credits his grandfather for his initial start with the sport at age 7.

"My first year was in Seymour, and I bowled in a cartoon league," he said. "My grandpa, he really helped me out a lot. He was a really big influence on me and bowling. He would come get me after school sometimes and we would just come (to Scottsburg Lanes)."

Of the trophies West has earned, one was from when he and his grandfather won a youth-adult tournament at Scottsburg.

Leagues will begin soon for West, and he said he has plans to compete every year at the state tournament.

"My goal is to at least place next year in the top 10 again, and this year raise my average up 15 pins," he said. "My dream is to be a PBA bowler."

Bowling isn't West's only sport. He also excels in basketball, and as a member of the seventh-grade team last year at Crothersville Junior-Senior High School, West set the school record for most rebounds in a game (21) and he earned the best field goal percentage award.

West also runs track and is involved with the school's strength training program. Other activities include FFA, Student Council and Junior Honor Society, and he plays drums in the band 180 at First Baptist Church in Crothersville.

He plans to continue with all of his sports as long as the love for them remains.

"My parents and my grandparents helped me buy bowling balls and stuff, and I just started loving the game," West said. "Just like basketball, if you love the game, you play. It's just what you like to do."

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