Pictured Above Is: The ASU Bowling Team. Photo Courtesy Of ASU.
Andrew Hall, Of Westborough, Mass., Adjusting To College Bowling Just Fine During His Freshman Year.
Assabet Valley Regional H.S. Tech Grad, Is Also A H.S. State Champion. College Nationals Are On April 21-22.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor thetenpinexpress.com - Director Mesa Metro Association.
Tempe - - - When Andrew Hall, of Westborough, Mass., became an incoming freshman at Arizona State University (ASU) last September. He knew he would have two obstacles to overcome right from the start of his college career. The first one, was adjusting to being on his own for the first time. And, the second one, was finding out if he could compete at the same level collegiately bowling wise, as he did in high school.
As the currently 11th ranked Sun Devils begin to prepare themselves for a trip to the collegiate nationals in April. The answer to both of the above questions, was yes he could.
"Bowling in college is definitely living up to everything I thought it would be, and then some. The energy and excitement is something that surprised me the most," explained Andrew, a graduate of Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough. "Along with that, I love looking around at events, and seeing all of these people who love the sport. As well as standing behind my teammates through the thick and the thin."
While in high school, Andrew bowled all four years. It was not until his senior year though, where he won a major title that brought him to the forefront of high school bowling in the northeast.
"My senior year I won the high school state championship, which is something I'm very proud of, as well as winning the high average award in my conference all four years," he said, of his major accomplishments. "In terms of other youth bowling, I finished 12th at the 2016 Teen Masters Championships in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. I've also won various youth events across New England, and even had some success in adult tournaments as a junior bowler (a second place finish at a New England Bowlers Association event)."
He says high school bowling is quite popular in central and western Mass. He also says there were 12 different schools in the conference he competed in, and about 11 in the western conference. Junior bowling is quite popular in Arizona as well, but he feels there is something that is missing here.
"I would love to see high school bowling expand here. In my opinion, it's a great stepping stone to college bowling, with the experience of the team bowling atmosphere," the freshman said, of what he would like to see come to Arizona. "High School bowling is a great taste of what college bowling is like. It also raises interest in some high school kids who may not have known they would like bowling. It raises publicity, which our sport desperately needs."
Andrew may not have known much about the history of the bowling program at ASU, or about the talent that represented the school before him. But, by now he does, and it was an easy decision for him to come to school here.
"I wasn't exactly recruited to come to ASU. It was more of a choice that I made by myself," he said, of the decision to come to ASU. A decision that made his coach Jordan Nassberg happy, too. "I met Coach Nassberg in Las Vegas in early 2016, where he told me about ASU and the bowling program there. After I visited the school and practiced with the team, I knew that this is where I wanted to be.
"Its cool being a part of a program with such rich history. Producing bowlers like:Brian Makan, Joe Ciccone, Andrew Cain, Brett Wolfe, Dan Paterson, and many others," he added, on the history. "Contributing to this rich histroy has made me very happy this season, because of the success we had."
Through 15 events heading into the nationals in Lincoln, Nebraska., in April, Andrew is ranked eighth among college rookies this year. He has averaged 209 for 91 games. He has also won one event. Finished in the top five six times, and in the top ten 11 times.
"My first college event was in St. Luis Obispo, CA. I was more nervous than usual since it was my first college tournament ever," he said, of his first collegiate experience."But, what got me through the nerves was knowing that I was part of a team. Who would be behind me at all times no matter the circumstances which added a sense of security."
The first title he won collegately came at the Lopes/Devils Duel at Brunswick Via Linda Lanes in January. He says the proper adjustments he has made on the lanes, is what helped him get into the winners circle.
"Without a doubt, my biggest moment of the season, was winning my first college tournament," he said, on winning at Via Linda. "I was always close, but the first tournament at Brunswick Zone Via Linda was where I broke through and finally won."
And on the adjustments he had to make coming from high school bowling to college?
"I had to make a couple of adjustments from high school bowling to college bowling. But, the main adjustments I had to make were getting used to the more rigorous practice sessions," he added, of the adjustments he had to make from high school to college. "As well as the navigation of the more demanding oil patterns. It's been quite the challenge, but I'm embracing it so far."
Now that he has almost a year of bowling in college under his belt, he feels he has been able to handle the nerves a lot better when it comes to bowling in tournaments.
"I'd like to say I'm able to handle them better, and I can credit that from learning from my mistakes I made earlier in the season," he said, of how he handled this aspect. "Working with Coach Nassberg, on some pressure situations has really helped me handle my nerves, come crunch time. I also feel I now have the right mindset for college bowling. College bowling I've found. Is all about patience, and ever since discovering that, I found myself having more success on the lanes."
His goal at the end of his freshman year, was to make a trip to nationals along with his team and he is. He again credits his teams and individual success to its coach.
"Without a doubt, Coach Nassberg, coaches the team to be in the same position, no matter what the circumstances," he said, of ASU reaching its goals year in and year out. "Having Jordan as a coach is a very unique experience, because he has an incredible perspective on the game. I've learn many things from him that I definitely would not have learned in other college tournaments. And, I can't thank him enough for all his hard work he puts in for the team members."
Andrew is majoring in Business Administration at the W.P. Carey School of Business on the West campus. As far as a team this past year, one of the events ASU won, was the Rebel Classic in Las Vegas. They have also five other titles to their credit in 2017-18. Those being: the SLO Showdown, The West Coast Championships I and II, The Lindbrook Open, The Devils Duel, and The Antelope Classic.
"Coming into this season, we expected to have a great season," he said, of the anticipation of it. "And yes, we achieved our goals. By being the top team on the west coast. Beating a very tough GCU team in the process, as well as being a #3 see at the sectionals. With the addition of myself and two other very solid freshman: K.J. Martinez and Jarrod Scents. And, along with returning bowlers: Matthew Zweig, Chase Nadeau, Nick Devlin, and Josh Morin. We expected to have a very solid season, and that we did."
His first semester at ASU, which ended last December, ended on an interesting note. He is by now aware of the rivalry ASU has with the University of Arizona. ASU won the territorial cup annual football game last season that was played in Tempe. ASU won the territorial cup game 42-30. And Herm Edwards replaced Todd Graham shortly thereafter, as its new football coach.
"I'm proud of my schools efforts, and it makes me happy to be a Sun Devil," he said, of the football win against Arizona. "It was definitely a big change to find out we have a new coach, but I'm sure that it will be the best for the program and it's players. On the rare occasion one of us sees that the team is getting distracted, or having a tough time focusing on what we have to do.
"We usually have a quick team meeting. Almost like a pep-talk to get us going again and back on track," he added. "But, I like to credit our team with having great concentration and focus during tournaments."
ASU typically practices at Brunswick Via Linda on Tuesday nights and Friday afternoons. And bowls in a league there on Tuesday evenings. Brunswick Via Linda is located in Scottsdale.
"Bowling and talking bowling," he said, of what it is like being around the team all of the time. "Honestly, I love being around these guys all the time, because they're great people and great friends."
Andrew also has six perfect games to his credit in his young bowling career. And to round out his freshman year at ASU, he was also named a First Team Club All-American as well as a Club Rookie Of-The-Year by his peers.
"My first 300 was shot at AMF Town & Country Lanes in Shrewsbury, Mass. I can distincly remember the swisher (7pin) falling late to make it 12 strikes in-a-row," he said, of his first 300 game. "When I am bowling, and I have a chance at 300 going into the 9th and 10th. I usually think I have a pretty good chance at it. Especially, when I see what I need to see out of my ball reaction. However, no matter how good of a look I have, I always have that nervous feeling of not wanting to miss and that is what makes it fun."
His father works at Dell/EMC as a Senior Director. And his mom is a retired nurse practitioner.
"I'm so lucky to have the most supportive parents," he said, of his support group. "I'm lucky to have a father that bowls as well, which has helped me bond with my dad throughout my life."
And his parents are proud to know he has adjusted to being on his own for the first time just fine. As well as finding success in college bowling, too.
State Of Arizona Bowling News April 16, 2018