The Lady Rolling Tigers competed in their fourth collegiate tournament of the season on Nov. 8 in Baton Rouge at the SWIBC II Tournament. The first format of this tournament (team play) consisted of participation by both males and female bowlers. The second half tournament consisted of Baker matches between only the females.
The competitiveness was not just among the various teams but individually among the Lady Rolling Tigers. Marginal points played a significant role in the individual and teams rankings.
Senior Damona Richards and freshman Brittney Bryant demonstrated how classification is irrelevant when it comes to skills in bowling.
Bryant had the “highest scoring game” for the Lady Rolling Tigers (216), and in the final team match she was edged out by senior Richards by a “mere” 1 point margin in “total pins for high series,” 1,001 to 1,000.
They placed ninth and tenth, respectively, in rankings.
In team rankings a marginal 13 pins placed a second and third finish decision between University of Houston and Grambling.
Coach Barbara Lewis feels insulted and tolerance level diminishes when individuals say that all “you do is roll the bowl down the lane.”
Bowling is mathematical, scientific, and commands a lot of mental and physical skill and endurance in order to be consistent, she said. Bowling is one of the few sports that does not have a designated time frame. She states that few people are cognizant of the lengthy time frame that these young ladies compete in a tournament.
For instance, this weekend the Tigers began competing at 9 a.m. allowed a lunch break from 3-4 p.m. and resumed play until 7 p.m.. Last week end, the Tigers competed for three consecutive days, (Friday thru Sunday), no less than five hours each day.
Aside from the lengthy time frame few people are aware of the injuries a bowler’s body sustains (rotator cuff, knee injuries, swollen thumbs, and hand) when they roll a 14 through 16 pound ball for that long period of time.