Madison: I started bowling for fun when I was a teenager. I started bowling competitively within the last year. I love bowling because it’s both fun and competitive. I’ve always been an athlete so I’m competitive by nature. I’m a little hard on myself to get better, but it’s still fun. It’s something that I didn’t take seriously for a long time so there’s that fun nature of it. I’m learning more and the technique of bowling so it’s becoming more of a sport for me.
Carrie: I started bowling on leagues in the early 1980s in Watsonville at Cabrillo Lanes with my family. Both of my parents were avid bowlers. I’m very mechanical in the way that I play sports and I like that about bowling, you have to be precise. I love the social part of it too, making new friends, feeling the community. And now I love bowling with my children. My grandchildren like to come bowling for fun too.
Carly: Like Maddy, I started bowling as a teenager for fun. My parents met at the bowling alley, so I was bowling in the womb. We went to the bowling alley nursery. I joined a league earlier this year. I love the social part of bowling, we are a very social family. I’m also very competitive, but not as competitive as other family members, but I like to learn. Colten is great at coaching. I just want to get better. And it’s fun being able to bowl with my family once a week.
Colten: I’ve been bowling for about two and a half years now. I like the competition, it’s my main sport that I compete in now. I’m constantly trying to improve and become the best bowler I can be. Im always trying to push myself to the next level. More experienced bowlers have taken me under their wing and helped me whenever I need it.
Madison: My favorite memory is when I got fitted for my first bowling ball. It changed things for me. I went from being a very casual bowler who just came down here to have fun and I bowled terribly. With my own ball, it became more serious, a hobby and a regular thing and it meant a bigger challenge because it meant I had to learn how to throw a ball properly, which was challenging. It just created a different element for me. Andrew fitted me for my ball, and I remember it being uncomfortable, but in an exciting way. I was a little anxious, this is really happening, but in a good way..
Carrie: My favorite memory is when I bowled my 265, I got eight strikes in a row. The funny thing is, I was all by myself practicing, so I had to get a print out to prove it. That was in the early 1990s.
Carly: Atomic Bowling is my favorite thing in the world! I use to make sure I did it on my birthday every year.
Colten: My favorite memory is this last City Tournament, the whole day. I had my highest game ever, a 288, I had my series with a 747, which is the only 700 series I’ve ever shot. I got first place in all events, I got second place in team, I got third place in doubles and I got fourth place in singles! People called me the “Sandbagger.” So yeah, that was the best day in bowling I’ve ever had by far. I shot way over average on every single series and it was just a whole day of excitement!
Madison: 189 Carrie: 265 Carly: 183 Colten: 288
Madison, Carrie, Carly and Colten: Community! We love the community of people who bowl and work here! The staff is like family to us; they are all very supportive, generous, and caring. It’s just really fun here!
Carrie: Willie is very caring. I do a lot of public speaking about my son Tosh’s death and Willie is my biggest cheerleader.