Shoes slide, balls roll into pins, people cheer, teams celebrate. These are all aspects of Nixa’s bowling team. The team is full of young kids from all around Nixa, and although they aren’t directly associated with the high school, it’s treated like a school team. Sophomore Travis Hoskinson is a member of the bowling team. 

   “What I like about the bowling team is how supportive everyone is, how the coaches are there to make you better, and how easy it is to make new friends,” Hoskinson said.

   Hoskinson has been bowling for about one year, and has been loving it. 

   “I would definitely recommend bowling to others because it is a great way to make new friends, it’s a great hobby and it gives people a chance to win scholarship money,” Hoskinson said. “I’ve introduced bowling to one of my friends and he has loved bowling ever since and I would say it has made us become closer friends.”

   The Nixa bowling team practices on Mondays and Thursdays, starting on January 2. They practice from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Century Lanes. The team is free to join and doesn’t require you to have any previous experience. 

   “You don’t need to be a very good bowler, many people are just starting out as well so it doesn’t matter your skill level because the coaches are there to help you get better,” Hoskinson said.

   There are four volunteers that work with the team, David Evans, Jenna Evans, Dustin Brown and Ryan Broughton. David is the head coach for the team.

   “All four of us want nothing but the best for the kids and would love nothing more than to bring the championship trophy back to Nixa,” David said.

   Although their season has not yet started, last year they finished third in the conference and seventh in state competition. The bowling team also held tryouts on Monday, December 12, and had about 20 kids show up. 

   “I would like to say that the time and effort that these kids put into their craft is fun to watch. Seeing the end results and how happy that it makes them is the reason that I keep coming back every year,” David said. 

   The team has already made a competition list for their upcoming season, even though they don’t know who they will be facing come competition season. David talks about how bowling is not just a physical sport, but it also helps your mental side.

   “The focus it takes to be able to replicate each shot and not let your surroundings have an effect on your game can be used in all aspects of life,” David said. 

• Tuesday, January 24, Park Lanes at 4:00 p.m.
• Monday, February 5, Sunshine Lans at 4:00 p.m.
• Friday, February 17, Century Lanes at 4:00 p.m.
• Monday, February 27, Andy B’s at 4:00 p.m.
• Friday, March 3,  Century Lanes at 4:00 p.m.
• Monday, March 6, Sunshine Lanes at 4:00 p.m.
• Monday, March 20, Andy B’s at 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 28, Enterprise Park Lanes at 4:00 p.m.