The buzz of conversations, the shuffling of shoes and the clattering of pins falling to the ground — this is the soundtrack for the White Station High School (WSHS) bowling team. Under the glow of the neon lane lights, the Spartan bowlers strive to improve their game.
“All I did was try my best to bowl,” Ethan Carroll (11) said. “I’ve been improving over the years.”
The 2025-2026 bowling team has seven rostered players: four on the boys’ team and three on the girls’ team. Bowling as a competitive sport is not widely recognized at WSHS, but the current players discovered the team through either social media or other students. Although the numbers are small, Bowling Coach Roland Williams — who teaches fitness and conditioning, individual and team sports and weightlifting — and his team enjoy the size of the team because it allows for a tight community and a spotlight on each individual bowler. Since bowling is typically not as physically demanding or time-consuming as other sports, students with other activities are able to join, and the players typically have extra time at practices and games to socialize and hang out with their teammates.
“I think [an important part of bowling is] just being able to hang out with my friends [and] have that extra time after school … just being around everybody,” Ella Marszalek (12) said.
Since bowling is not as popular as other high school sports, it sometimes gets overlooked. The WSHS bowling team is looking to improve the media coverage on their sport and get their bowlers the same opportunities other athletes have. Specifically, Williams is hoping for the bowling team to be featured in the winter pep rally.
“I just want bowling to be a sport that’s covered … [just] like all the other sports,” Williams said. “I want the kids to get the same due [that] all these other sports get.”
The team practices at Billy Hardwick Enterprises, and they usually play six matches each year. The players often focus on the basics during practice, but they also incorporate small competitions and game-like scenarios so that they feel prepared and are able to perform their best on game day.
“All of us just bowl against each other and every now and then I give them pointers [like], ‘If we’re trying to hit this pin, I would aim for this arrow down the runway,’” Williams said. “I incorporate it to where it’s still chill, relaxed, but I’m also bowling with them.”
Williams prioritizes the happiness of his players, ensuring that they are not stressed out from bowling. Some of the students are multi-sport athletes, so he makes sure they are not overwhelmed with work by providing his support and a flexible practice schedule.
“With bowling, I put no pressure on the kids, none whatsoever,” Williams said. “I want them [to be] smiling [at] the beginning and at the end of each match.” Many of the bowlers are close friends outside of the sport as well, and they enjoy being able to relax and have fun while at bowling practice. The team has built a positive and comfortable environment, thus creating a strong community among the players.
“It’s chill, and it’s a fun environment to be in,” Marszalek said. “It’s not stressful … It’s just fun and free-flow.”
The WSHS bowlers continue to emphasize the importance of having fun while playing their sport. As they look ahead to next season, they hope their enthusiasm and steady improvement will help the program grow as a whole.
“Coaching bowling is fun,” Williams said. “I allow the kids to go out and compete, and at the same time … incorporate fun in it.”