Charles City Youth Bowling League holds awards banquet
Higher Education Tournament scholarship winners gather for a group photo during the end of the Charles City Youth Bowling League awards banquet, Saturday at Comet Bowl.
By John Burbridge sports@charlescitypress.com
CHARLES CITY — If the Charles City Comets bowling team is not careful, it can end up being as hated as the New York Yankees or the New England Patriots.
You’re never beloved if you’re too good for too long.
And though the Comets will graduate plenty of high and reliable rollers from their state runner-up boys and girls teams, there’s a lot more ten-pin talent coming up the pipeline.
Or should we say the ball return?
Faith Fannon, left, receives her first-place Higher Education Tournament scholarship award from Charles City Youth Bowling League president Kimberly Usher during the league’s awards banquet, Saturday at Comet Bowl. It was the second-straight year that Fannon placed first in her girls division.
Nathan Girkin is one of these up-and-knock-them-downers. As a Charles City freshman, Girkin experienced his first high school season with the Comets, but he has been a member of the Charles City Youth Bowling League for numerous years.
Last season in league’s Higher Education Tournament, Girkin placed third in the Boys 12-18 Division.
This past tournament, Girkin placed first in his division in the HET and was a medalist in the CC Youth Bowling League City Tournament.
“I’ve been working on improving my release … get the ball down the lane further,” Girkin said. “The better lift has made a difference.”
Girkin is a left-hander. He doesn’t view that distinction as advantageous or disadvantageous.
“Sometimes you’re the only lefty bowling on your pair … sometimes you’ve got another lefty or two bowling with you,” he said. “That can change things. You just adjust.”
Girkin and other Higher Education Tournament scholarship winners were honored on Saturday at Comet Bowl during the youth league’s awards banquet. The scholarship awards totaled $4,000 and came from donations from local businesses.
Top placers from the City Tournament were also honored. Winning all-events and singles among girls was Jocelyn Cotton, who — as a sophomore — managed to get into the varsity lineup several times during the past high school season.
“This is the first time I bowled in the (Saturday) league,” Cotton said. “It’s helped me pick up more of my spares, especially the 7-pin, and hitting my mark.
“I’ve improved since the start of the season.”
Though the Charles City Youth Bowling League won’t start up again until September, Cotton says she’s going to try to practice frequently during the spring and summer.
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