For freshman Lynn Michalec, bowling is more than just a game to go play with some friends on the weekends. For Michalec, it is a sport that has stolen her heart and become a way of life. Michalec is on the Varsity bowling team as a freshman. She has been bowling throughout her whole life but started playing competitively ten years ago.

“I’ve been in multiple leagues for the past ten years and I’ve also participated in travel bowling,” Michalec said.

Michalec has three main strategies that have helped her qualify for state on more than one occasion. Her strategies are consistency, control and hand positioning with the ball.

“To have consistency means you need to hit the same target on the lane for every frame, but since the oil pattern shifts over time, you have to know how the core of your ball works and analyze how the ball reacts over time,” Michalec said.

When discussing the logistics needed when bowling, Michalec talks about how you need to focus a lot on your control.

“When I say control, I mean body control,” Michalec said. “You need a lot of balance to not fall on the lane after you follow through with the ball. I mainly use a firm or strong hand position.”

Michalec is practicing to improve her speed on the ball; she is at 12 mph right now, and her goal is to get to 14 mph with her 14 pound ball. Michalec is also hoping to increase her ball size to the heaviest size possible:16 pounds.

Michalec has high hopes for her and her team for the rest of this season.

“I think we [the team] will do pretty well. As a team we are really strong, but no matter what happens it won’t matter because we did it together. Personally, I could not ask for a better team,” Michalec said.

Michalec’s teammate, junior Taylor Comer, feels that Michalec is not only an amazing bowler, but also a great teammate.

“She is always very motivating and she’s great at keeping you laughing,” Comer said.

Michalec has come a long way and has a great future ahead of her in bowling. Being on a Varsity team is a huge accomplishment for anyone in any sport. Michalec has been doing well playing at such a high level at such a young age.

Michalec hopes to keep improving throughout her years here at Antioch.