Pictured Above L To R Are: AZ State Director Ella Mercer, Kyndle Farrell, Kalyn Washburn, And AZ Association MGR Harold Smith.
New Tournament Site, No Problem. As Tucson Right-Handers Win Back-To-Back Doubles Event At 65TH Annual AZ State Tourney.
506 Score In Game 3 On April 30th. Was Key For Kalyn Washburn And Kyndle Farrell's Repeat In Division A Scratch Doubles.
Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor thetenpinexpress.com - Director Mesa Metro Association.
Chandler - - - We are sure all of you have heard this saying at least once or twice. And that saying being: if its not broken, don't fix it'.
If you have been fortunate enough to watch the ladies bowl in the 64th and 65th Annual Arizona State Women's Championships the last two years at Glenfair Lanes in Glendale, and at AMF McRay Lanes respectively. You may have noticed a dynamic duo from Tucson, that doesn't have to fix a thing about the game they both display on the lanes.
The dynamic duo of Kalyn Washburn and Kyndle Farrell, who are both right-handed, won the Division A Scratch Doubles event with a score of 1,537 at Glenfair Lanes and set a new state scoring record in the process. And, to prove last years performance was not a fluke, they followed it up with a score of 1,327 on the last day of play this year on April 30 at AMF McRay Lanes. Amanda Falk and Bryanna Cote also of Tucson, finished second with a 1,309. And Alison Kozak and Jennifer Dovers of Phoenix, finished in third place at 1,305.
"After a couple of days of reflection, I am just as elated about our doubles win. We are so lucky to be in such a competitive environment with the women's field being so talented in Arizona," said Kalyn, after the doubles and singles squad was finished on April 30, and they realized what they had a chance to achieve. "To pull out a win in back-to-back years, just shows that Kyndle and I have found a good teammate in one another."
Last year at Glenfair Lanes, Kyndle rolled a 775 and Kalyn a 762 in doubles. They felt that the shot that was put down at AMF McRay Lanes for the tournament this year was a little bit more challenging, but still felt good about their performance afterwards.
"After two games in doubles, we were starting to think we had no shot at winning this year, because we were so far down in the pin count," said Kalyn, of winning back-to-back state doubles titles. "But, we ended up shooting a 506 in our third game (Kyndle 238, me 268), to take over the lead by about 20 pins. I changed my surface by sanding off the polish on my Code Black. After my inability to match up with the lanes the previous weekend, I knew I had some surface adjustments to make which ended up being just the ticket. I am so happy I did, because I stayed in this ball all day."
Kalyn also feels there is another reason when things are not going well on the lanes, the pair always finds a way to come through in the end.
"Kyndle and I have bowled with each other long enough now that we do know each others games well, and can communicate adjustments or strategies. But, personally, we have fun on the lanes together and have very similar personalities," she said, of her teammate. "We have been described by other Tucson bowlers as 'two peas in a pod'. So, we have found a very easy friendship on and off the lanes."
The pair has also found success outside of the annual women's state tournament as well. Since 2012, they have both consistently averaged 200 in the leagues they have bowled in. Kalyn's highest book average during the last four years came at the end of the 2014-15 season. She ended up with a 220 average after completing 132 games in the Ebonite Elite League at Golden Pin Lanes in Tucson. She has rolled seven perfect games also since 2012. The Ebonite Elite League bowls on Tuesday night at Golden Pin Lanes during the season.
Kyndle's highest average meanwhile, was obtained at the end of the 2014-15 season and in the Ebonite Elite League, too. She averaged 209 for 136 games at the end of the season. She has three perfect games, and just recorded her first one in Arizona on May 8, 2017. It was shot in the Awesome 4-Some League at Lucky Strike Bowl in Tucson.
"There is so much talent throughout the state that I can't imagine anyone could say there are more talented female bowlers in one region of the state, over another," says Kalyn, of the women's bowling talent in Arizona. "But, for this reason we do take great pride in a victory against the state-wide field and everyone pushes each other to do their best."
And you can also imagine once word got out after what they had accomplished on April 30th, they have had nothing but, positive feedback since.
"We have had a surprisingly large feedback from our Tucson bowling family. We are so fortunate to be bowling with people who care so much about our successes," Kalyn said, of the accolades they have received. "We very much appreciate the positive feedback from everyone!".
Another thing you may have noticed while watching the ladies bowl at their state tournament the last two years, is the team that Kalyn and Kyndle bowl on. Their team, Freedom Equity Group, is sponsored by PBA Hall of Fame Bowler Paul Colwell. Teammates include: Kalyn's mother Melinda, and Paul's wife Bunnie.
"Mom tends to react to each shot with encouragement for the next shot. And my dad, Scott, is an analyzer, so I usually just think out loud about strategy with him," she says, of her support group. "The combination is very helpful."
Its about a 90 minute drive from Tucson to Chandler. It gave the pair plenty of time to think about what they needed to do, once they got to AMF McRay Lanes and bowl on the last squad of the tournament.
"We actually did not discuss much bowling on the way up, but knew we needed some very decent scores to even have a chance. So, we were shocked and obvioulsy excited when we pulled it out," Kalyn says, of their accomplishment. "It was nothing, but excited conversation on the way home and talks about getting to bowl together again next year."
They look forward to always bowling on the last weekend, for one important reason.
"We actually have not always bowled on the last squad purposefully. It just so happens that it works out well for everyone," Kalyn says, on bowling on the last squad. "However, I do like to know what I'm up against, so that I can set a goal and stay focused on making good shots."
Kalyn says she and Kyndle have both struggled in their leagues this year, but they both use league play as a chance to work on executing good shots and to work on their mental games.
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Mandy Etem, of Cave Creek, took the top spot in all-events with a score of 2,072. Shawna Treat of Gilbert, was second at 2,001. Megan Withey, of Peoria was third at 2,001. Kalyn finished in ninth place at 1,909.
There were three honor scores shot during the tournament. Amanda Falk rolled a 299 on April 22nd. Emily Orneales, of Phoenix, rolled a 300 game on April 22nd as well. She followed it up with a 299 game on Sunday the 23rd.
Arizona State Bowling News - May 23, 2017