Sports

Effort to Spare

Abigail Salazar|January 29, 2018

Words from Coach Cannon

As a player: “Anthony is one of the most dedicated athletes I have had the pleasure of coaching. Not only does he work hard to be the best he can be on the lanes, he is becoming a leader and inspiration to not only the team but the bowling community in a whole.”
Statistically speaking: “As for stats we have not started any school competitions yet, but he is currently leading the youth program at Dart bowl with an average of 172. He has bowled several games thus far in excess of 225 and a high score of 267. I look for Anthony to continue to gain skills, knowledge and confidence in the game and help lead the team this year to another run at the State Tournament.”
For the season: “We will be having several District matches held at Dart Bowl this season and hope that some of the students and teachers can attend to see these athletes in action.”

The Shield: Where and when did you start bowling?
Anthony Bourda: I started bowling freshman year, I just found something that kind of just interested me in the beginning of high school.
TS: What made you want to start bowling?
AB: It just interested me, I just had an appreciation for it. I don’t have any family members that were into bowling and just somehow on my own got into it.
TS: What was the highest score you made?
AB: 267 so far.
TS: How did you feel when you bowled a 267?
AB: It was alright, I was just taking my time and wasn’t getting too far ahead of myself. It was pretty good though. I wasn’t excited or anything at that moment, it kind of just kicked in after the game that I realized that I bowled that high. I wasn’t thinking of the score when I made it, I would normally go for an average of 180, but 267 I wasn’t even thinking of the score when I made it. When I bowl I don’t really pay attention to the score, I just focus on the shots.
TS: Do you have a bowling bag, if so what’s in it?

Junior Anthony Bourda practices at Dart Bowl on Oct. 10. Bourda is part of a strong crop of juniors who hopes to lead the bowling team back to the state tournament this year. Photo by Dave Winter. “I practiced a lot to get here,” Bourda said. “Coach was telling me the other day that I used to be intimidated by the experienced bowlers at Georgetown. Now that I have gotten better, I know that I can compete at a high level.” Photo by Dave Winter.

AB: Yea I have a bowling bag, in it I have two balls so far and a couple of accessories like tape to help adjust the thumb hole and some shoes.
TS: How do you spin or curve your ball?
AB: I normally start with my arm straight out then I finish with my arm out and tilted to the right since I’m a right handed.
TS: Any difficulties when bowling?
AB: When I first started the hardest thing was getting used to the equipment and all.
TS: What’s your favorite “Bowling Center” food?
AB: I don’t usually eat the food at Dart Bowl, I normally just get a drink from the vending machine.
TS: What’s your favorite strategy/tactic when trying to get a strike or knock down any pin?
AB: I just make a couple of adjustments and see what’s right for me amd go with it.
TS: How have you improved from when you first started to today?
AB: It takes a lot of time and a lot of focus and a lot of commitment because it has gotten me pretty far.
TS: Any upcoming matches?
AB: This weekend we have a tournament in Georgetown where the first four teams competed (The first four girl teams and the first four boys team) this saturday at 11am (11/4).
TS: How does the team get along?
AB: We are kind of friends. We just stay calm and try to help each other out and motivate each other.
TS: How does bowling as a team work?
AB: Practicing on some things and see what needs improvement. Before a big match we don’t think about it, but we are at least like we got this we will do great.
TS: How does practice work?
AB: We practice at Dart Bowl. I normally just work on adjustments when we practice, I don’t focus on making strikes because it’s not just about making strikes. Other than that for me it’s finding what angles work for me. I practice 2-3 times a week.
TS: How do you prepare for a big match?
AB: Like this weekend I feel like we have nothing to lose and that’s the type of attitude i have because we already know what’s going to happen.
TS: What are you hoping for this season?
AB: Just staying in the moment and influencing each other because we seem to influence each other and i don’t know sometimes I just want that motivation to carry over.