design: DJ Pelles
permission to print photos: Bobby Drexel
While a lot of people may see bowling as a casual birthday party event or something to do when Grandma is in town, the bowling team sees it just like any other sport. Some athletes, like sophomore Bobby Drexel, put most of their effort into this sport.
Drexel is currently a varsity athlete on the boys bowling team. Drexel has been bowling his whole life, and his passion for the sport has not dropped once.
“I’ve been bowling for 13 years, since I was 3. Basically, ever since I could pick up a ball,” Drexel said, “I don’t remember wanting to start but ever since I’ve started it has been so hard to quit. It’s just such a passion for me.”
And this passion that he holds has taken him far. As a freshman, Drexel had an average score of 161.4 and was part of the state qualifying team, according to Drexel. And this year, he plans on accomplishing even more.
With an average score of 185.1 as a sophomore, Drexel has the goal of “reaching states, and once we’re there we want to win and get a bid at nationals. A personal goal for me is to reach nationals at some point whether it’s individual or as a team,” Drexel said.
And the reason Drexel holds so much talent and potential is due to the fact that he puts full effort into the sport. He had to make some sacrifices, and some compromises, in order to keep this commitment.
Drexel said that he decided to quit playing baseball, in order to focus on bowling. While he is not part of the team as a player, he still supports the team as a manager. But in the summer and winter, he puts bowling back into full swing.
During the season, Drexel spends a lot of his week at practices, trainings, and meets. Drexel spends his time training and playing with the school, while also spending time doing separate, private trainings.
“School practices are Monday and Wednesday,” Drexel said. “I have lessons once or twice a week outside school.”
Even though skill and talent are some of the main aspects of a great player, they aren’t the only aspects to it. Leadership, coachability, attitude, and effort are equally as important. And Drexel’s personality holds all of that.
“Bobby always looks to the positive side. He supports his teammates and always does his best,” junior varsity bowler Miles Wanner said. Wanner was also invited to the team by Drexel.
Along with Drexel, other varsity bowlers, such as seniors Jake Burre and Jaydon Goldenberg, are coming back for their final season at the high school, and are ready to compete.
“Jake Burre, Bobby Drexel and Jaydon Goldenberg are returning and have the hunger to want to succeed this year,” coach Quincy Walker said.
And because Burre and Goldenburg are graduating this year, there leaves open spots at the top of the team for new leaders. Drexel is in the perfect spot to take this opportunity.
“And because I am a senior this year, hopefully Bobby will step up into my shoes and lead the team for the next two seasons,” said Burre. “He has a solid work ethic that he can use to his advantage for his upcoming seasons.”
The combined chemistry and skill that the team holds has taken them far, but it has the potential to take them farther. The team was able to make it to states in 2021 and is hoping to achieve that goal again.
“This year our team is doing well. We have hit a few rough patches but still remain on the top,” Drexel said. “Once we all get going nobody can stop us. States are definitely a possibility as we were there last year and things haven’t changed much at all.”
Currently, the team is 9-2 overall, according to Burre. With the talent of Drexel, and his fellow teammates, nationals may not be too far out of reach.
