FREDERICKTOWN – Some of the best tournaments around are the ones where you can’t tell who won because everyone is smiling. The Knox County Bowling Association’s annual adult-youth tournament, held at Fredericktown’s Trio Lanes on Nov. 1, was a win-win for the community and the kids..
“(Kids) can have a parent or a friend as a bowling partner,” Knox County Bowling Association president Jeff Kempton said. “If you don't have anyone, we can provide somebody for you.”
The young bowler and their adult partner bowl three games. A handicapping system allows all ages and bowling levels to compete while keeping things even. Along with prizes for the winners, all the youth bowlers receive free t-shirts and wristbands.
“The community has been hit hard with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Kempton said. “Bowling alleys were shut down, just like many restaurants and places like that. It's good to see us being able to help out our local bowling centers. Also, by being able to host an event like this (gets people) involved when they are younger. Otherwise, in the future, there won't be any adult leagues around and bowling centers will end up shutting down.”
The annual tournament, which is held at Trio Lanes and Mount Vernon’s Colonial City Lanes on alternating years, took a little more preparation before getting underway this year.
“We (KBCA) have our procedures in place,” KCBA manager Margaret Ann Ruhl said. “We have hand sanitizers on the table. We wipe down the tables when we are done. If they use alley balls, they leave them out so we can sanitize them. We do everything that the state has told us to do.”
Also, a set of protocols were put in place for all bowlers and spectators.
“When you're actively bowling you don't have to wear a mask,” Ruhl said. “If you're just watching, it is recommended that you wear a mask.”
Evelee Rine, an 8-year-old bowler who attends Fredericktown Elementary, was willing between frames to share her secret to bowling.
“You have to swing your arm above your head and keep it straight,” Evelee said.
Now, she wants to be a bowler when she grows up.
“Because I like it,” she said.
It was fun for Mount Vernon’s Bryce Henson, a 17-year-old, whose bowling career just took a good turn.
“I started bowling in my freshman year and I'm a junior now,” he said. “I already made it onto the high school team last week.”
Five-year-old Kenny Steven, of Fredericktown, was hoping to get at least on strike.
“I don’t have one yet,” Kenny said. “I got some spares.”
He said that his favorite part of bowling was "getting the pins," but what is his secret?
“I don’t know,” he said.
