When you think of the varsity sports that Huntington offers, bowling might not be one of the first that comes to mind. But Shelby Price is trying to change that. Price started bowling competitively only two years before her college debut, but under head coach Mike Shockey, she has improved tremendously.
“I changed my approach, how close I stand, my speed and I no longer use a wrist brace,” she said. “All of these components made me bowl so much better and much more accurately”
Price said her spare game has improved most noticeably.
“I still have a lot of room for improvement, but the amount of knowledge and skill that I obtained within a year is incredible.”
Price was one of five freshmen who competed in the USBC Intercollegiate Team Sectionals in Addison, Ill. for a chance to move on to Baton Rouge, La. They finished 9th out of 17 teams with a total of 11,634 pins, averaging 181. Looking forward at next season, she is optimistic of what the future may hold.
“We definitely improved as the season went on,” she said, “and with the freshman that are coming in, I think we have a really good team for next year.”
Thomas Gunter, also a freshman, was honored after leading the men’s team to an Elite Eight finish in the NAIA National Tournament. Gunter is the first Forester bowler to earn this honor in the NAIA National Championship.
According to Price, Shockey and his coaching staff has already built a great relationship with their top-notch bowlers as one of only 41 NAIA bowling coaches.
“They are more than coaches,” Shockey said. “They are mentors that have not only helped us immensely on the lanes, [but] they have been there for us as a family and friend.”