Perfect Game, And 809 Series, No Problem For Gilbert High School Senior.
Gabriel Villegas, 17, Rolled Scores At MMA Youth Tournament On January 23.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg- Managing Editor-The TenPinExpress.Com
Director Mesa Metro Association
Mesa - - - If you are an avid bowler in the Valley and bowl in tournaments on a regular basis, you know what a great feeling it is to shoot an honor score during the course of the event. It is an even greater feeling when the individual who does this, is a junior bowler, and not an adult.
Gabriel Villegas, 17, a senior at Gilbert High School. Is the latest East Valley bowler to experience the thrill of rolling an honor score during the course of a tournament. Four days before the start of the Mesa Metropolitan Associations (MMA) Youth Tournament at Brunswick Zone Mesa, on January 23 and 24, this right-handed junior bowler wasn't even sure if he would be able to bowl in the event himself. He was at home recovering from the flu, and resting, with the hopes he could still bowl the singles and doubles portion on Saturday.
By the end of the doubles and singles event on Saturday, it would be the pins and pinsetters who would end up needing the rest. That's because he rolled games of: 256, 300, 253, for an 809 series on lanes 13 and 14.
"The 800 series will probably mean more to me than the 300 game," Gabriel said, following the squad. "It was the first time I rolled both of these honor scores. I was speechless afterwards. It was exciting."
Gabriel is a member of the Firebirds Youth Bowling League at Brunswick Mesa. The ball he used was a Hammer Arson Highflare Solid. It was drilled by Tim Simonis of Virtue Bowling Supply.
"I feel real comfortable bowling here, because I bowl with the Firebirds Youth Bowling League," he said. "I started to get nervous after the first strike in the 10th. I was high on the head pin on the second strike, but it carried. I was really nervous on the last ball, however, I just kept on doing what I was doing."
Gabriel bought the ball four weeks ago. Somehow he knew it was going to be a good buy for him. The first game he shot with it after taking it out of the box, was a 277. Last week in league, he rolled a 769 series.
"Four weeks ago, I had the first nine," he said. "I was able to control my nerves a lot better, because it was in league play, and not a tournament setting."
The Gilbert High School student is not involved in any other sports on campus. He says his friends are really supportive of his bowling endeavors as well. That's because they bowl, too. His grandfather, Paul Ramos, was the one who initially got him involved in bowling.
"Before I bought the new ball, I used to throw a straight ball and leave a lot of splits," he said, of the difference of a new ball. "The new ball is hooking a lot more. Its a lot easier to get strikes, and pick up spares. I have been bowling since I was seven. The first game I ever rolled was a 78. The first strike I ever rolled was right in the pocket, and my friends carried me on their shoulders to help celebrate the occasion."
The teen now averages 191, and he will get a ring from the MMA for his accomplishments.
"My grandfather always finds a way to motivate me to do good in bowling," he said. "He has been my coach my whole life."
And now with social media literally at our finger tips, it did not take long for his family back east to learn of his bowling accomplishments.
"We support him all the way. He has good family support," said his mom, Nichole, of her sons support group. "They are already reacting to it. They were wishing they were here to be able to see it."
But the support group does not stop with his family.
"I would like to thank my mom, grandpa, and supporting family," he said, of his support group. "I would also like to say thank you to my coaches: Cindy, Lyle, and Ryan Lamb, Tom Large, Gene Young, and Colin Walsh. For my continuing growth and support."
And the MMA and tenpinexpress.com would like to thank you, Gaberiel, for putting on a good show for us. And also making it one memorable day for those it attendance.
Mesa Bowling News January 29, 2016