Prep bowling realized its greatest increase in participating schools in a recent survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations.
According to the NFSH 2003-04 athletics participation survey, 1,504 schools offered boys bowling and 1,494 had the sport for girls - a 2,998 total and an overall increase of 291 schools from the previous year.
The number of participants for boys was 17,849 and 16,383 for girls, with a combined total of 34,232. Football had the most individuals with 1.03-million, followed by basketball (544,811) and outdoor track and field (504,801).
The Kansas State High School Activities Association announced that it will add bowling as a boys and girls varsity sport, beginning with the 2004-05 academic year.
Kansas becomes the 14th state to offer the activity as a championship sport, joining Arkansas, Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Washington (girls only). More than 20 additional states have bowling on an interscholastic club competition level.
"Studies show a good number of participants on high school bowling teams are an entirely new group of students who tend not to participate in other extra-curricular activities," said Gary Musselman, KSHSAA executive director.
The Pinellas County High School League, founded in 1972, is among the largest in Florida with 56 teams and more than 250 youngsters. For information, go online to www.highschoolbowlingusa.com
GIRLS IN SPOTLIGHT: It was the girls' turn to shake up the standings as the Pinellas County High School League entered its home stretch.
Dixie Hollins grabbed the lead in the varsity handicap race, dropping Largo to second. But Seminole jumped into third with a 113-75 mark, only three points out of second.
Seminole rolled a 2,889 handicap series, as Alyssa Huebner recorded a 770 series. Her teammates are Danielle Dennis, Tiffany and Heather Janson and Alexandria Gauthier.
Dixie Hollins (129-60) sends Christine Johnson, Sheridan Ramer, Jolinda Prewitt, Erica Small and Jamie McKee to the line.
East Lake, Palm Harbor and Northeast, the defending league champion, are at the top of the scratch division.
Lakewood junior David Krutzler rolled a 300-742 in boys varsity scratch play last week.
The junior varsity teams are at Liberty Lanes and the varsity squads at AMF Kenneth City on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
SUNRISE 24 HOURS: Sunrise Lanes in northeast St. Petersburg will be open 24 hours a day because of hurricane damage that closed Sunshine Bowl in Pinellas Park. Sunshine, built 47 years ago, is a 40-lane center.
AROUND THE LANES: High scorers - Justin Veitch, 289-814 and 300-776, Nick Gates, 297-810, and Chris Trauner, 300-751, at Rainbow; prep player David Krutzler, 300-724, and Keith Glasgow, 299-758, Liberty; Scott Price, 300-804, Lou Traci, 300-833, Mike Buerger, 300, and George Bickford, 290-735, Sunrise; an d Hayden Pryor (146 average), 266-748, Seminole. ... Entries are open for the 35th annual Upper Pinellas Junior Bowling Association Youthadult Tournament, scheduled for Nov. 6-7 at Dunedin Lanes. The registration fee is $14 per duo, and entries close Monday. ... Liberty Lanes plays host to the Greater Pinellas YABA Youthadult Tournament this weekend and Oct. 30-31. The center starts its Almost Midnight Saturday tournaments Saturday.
