From Carrying An Averaging Of 85 In 2015-16. 141 In 2019-20. And Now 198 During The 2020-21 Season.
The Sky Has Been Becoming A No Limit For Bowlero Kyrene Hot Shot Junior Ryan Doyle, To Reach In Bowling.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg
Managing Editor - thetenpinexpress.com
Director Mesa Metro Association
Pictured Are L To R: Isabella Doyle, Jakob Butturff, And Ryan Doyle. At The Bowlero Mesa Open Earlier This Summer.
Photo Courtesy Of: Isabella Doyle.
Chandler, AZ . - - - They Are the Future of Our Sport.
And, if you have ever wondered if the future of bowling in Arizona is in good hands, you don't have to wonder anymore.
Ryan Doyle, of Chandler, AZ., is making sure of that. He continues to grow and prosper in his own way.
If you were some of the lucky parents who got to watch the 16th Annual Mesa Metro Youth Championships at Bowlero Kyrene Lanes in Chandler on November 7-8, you may have noticed this young lad impress us with his performance on the lanes during the course of the tournament and further impress us with his charisma and knowledge of the game off the lanes as well.
All that Ryan did this particular weekend was enter seven events and come away with seven titles. Those titles being: Team Prep 9-11, (Hdcp). Team Prep 9-11, (Scratch). Doubles Prep 9-11, (Scratch). Singles Prep 9-11, (Hdcp). Singles Prep 9-11, (Scratch). All Events 9-11 Prep (Hdcp). All Events Prep 9-11 (Scratch).
The performance he delivered in his second Mesa Metro Youth Championships, he admitted, was a lot better than his first. The first being at Bowlero Mesa last year. At last year's event, he only managed to place in the top ten in two events. In All Events Prep Hdcp (9-11), he placed 4th with a 1,988. And All Events Prep Scratch 2nd, with a 1,316.
This year’s event was originally supposed to be held at AMF Chandler but, got switched to Bowlero Kyrene Lanes at the last minute. The switch was an early Christmas present for Ryan, and for the rest of the junior bowlers who bowl in the Kyrene Hot Shots junior bowling program there.
"The tournament was actually switched over to Bowlero Kyrene, which is where I bowl in two leagues," he said, of the switch in sites. "Whenever I go to a center I’m not used to bowling in, I try to keep an open mind and try my best. I like to try to bowl at different centers. Bowling in a tournament in my home field gives me more confidence and I'm more comfortable."
In the events he bowled in this year, he posted the following scores: Team Prep (Hdcp), 2,609. Teammates included: Brayden Bell, Adrian Yates, and Isabella Doyle. The team name was Strikeforce. Team Prep (Scratch), 1,538. Doubles Prep (Scratch), with his sister, Isabella, 978. All Events Prep (Hdcp), 2,078. All Events Prep (Scratch), 1,829. Singles Prep (Hdcp), 751. Singles Prep (Scratch), 668.
"It was great to win the team event and duos scratch with my sister," he said, of winning the team event with his sister Isabella and of keeping the family happy and proud of its two junior bowlers. "She likes to practice with me, and gets competitive. She is a right-handed, two-handed bowler that throws the ball backhand. Which is unique."
Another reason he feels he was successful in his performance at this year's MMA Youth Championships was because of the equipment he had in his bag and the knowledge of how the pins carry at Bowlero Kyrene.
"The pin carry that I got by using my Belmo Trend was consistent and I was hitting my mark," he said, of what worked right for him at his second MMA Youth Championships. "This was the second city tournament I've ever bowled in. I bowled a 668 scratch series in singles and placed first in all the other divisions. I concentrated on my game and again, was out to have fun."
The great Belmo himself, would have been proud of Ryan's performance, as well.
He knew getting a clean sweep of all of the divisions he entered would come down to the singles event. But, like the true trooper he is, he just took a deep breath to clear his mind and took care of the business at hand.
"I was doing well in my first two games with a 192 and a 208, but during the third game, I bowled three 9 count spares in a row and the rest strikes," he said, of his performance in the singles event. "I got a 268 and was feeling confident. I practice about six days a week on average."
Ryan, 11, who is a member of the Bowlero Kyrene Hot Shots Youth Bowling League, bowls on Saturday mornings at the Chandler bowling center. During his first season in the league in 2015-16, he averaged 85 for 83 games. During his second season in the league, in 2019-20, it rose to 141 for 72 games (per bowl.com).
This year in league play, the practice time he is putting in is paying off. As of December 12, his high game in the league is a 258. High series, a 704. That included games of: 233-255-214, for a 702 and is averaging 198 for 36 games (per League Secretary.com).
"I think practicing and improving my shot making, including working on picking up my spares, was the key," he said, of the year he is having thus far. "During the Kyrene Hot Shots league, Coaches Karl, (Munson); Bob (Schreiber); Cedric (Bell); and Terry (Segobiano) work with me and provide pointers. They stress keeping my hand under the ball, instead of forcing the curve, which is what I keep working on."
He feels having a good attitude towards the sport is another reason why he is having the year he is having on the lanes in 2019-20.
"I just say, I tried my best and I'll do better next time," he says, of when things don't go the way he wants them to in league or tournament play. "I think having a good attitude in bowling is important because it helps you bowl better and keeps you positive. My current average is 198. I attribute this to my dedication to get better. I have learned about different types of oil patterns, different balls and their material, and how you may have to use a different ball for different situations. I have also learned about tools like the abralon pads that can be used."
Ryan currently attends Ward Traditional Academy in Tempe. He says he plans on bowling and playing basketball throughout middle school and high school, with the hopes of getting a full college scholarship in either sport.
"My parents encourage me to do my best and support me, by driving me to the bowling center and my practices," he says, of where he gets his support from. "My parents, grandparents, sister and the rest of my family really support me in everything I do also. My Uncle Gabe bowled his first perfect game when he was 14. He encourages me to continue trying my best to reach my goals, too."
Because of the success Ryan had at the MMA Youth Championships this year, his parents rewarded him with an entry into a recent Strike Force Tour Event at Bowlero Via Linda. Ryan made it to the quarter finals his first attempt bowling in an SFT event. He ended up finishing in fourth place in the 'C' Division. Bowlers at this particular event bowled on the 37 Foot Melbourne pattern.
The SFT has seen an influx of entries from junior bowlers in the east valley in its events this year. Mesa East junior bowler, Madison Holman, won an event at Glenfair Lanes on May 25, 2020.
"I made it into the playoffs in this tournament. I was the only junior bowler bowling in it, but I got compliments from the other bowlers," he said, of bowling in his first SFT event at Bowlero Via Linda. "Everyone was actually really nice to me. The pattern was different than I had ever bowled before and it was difficult but the other bowlers I met were giving me advice. My parents asked me if I wanted to bowl in this event. Yes, I did."
The next goal Ryan would like to achieve, is winning a national Junior Gold event. He would welcome the opportunity to have the chance to be able to do it. And, BTW, he is not afraid to bowl against the older kids.
"I bowled in the Jr. Gold tournament qualifiers but there were not enough contestants in my age division so I had to bowl in the 15U event. I got 3rd place in that division but, won against the bowlers 12 and under," he said, of bowling in the qualifiers. "It would be a great experience to qualify for Jr. Gold and bowl against the great players."
It helps when Ryan's whole family bowls, too. Besides bowling in the 'Hot Shots' League on Saturday morning. He also bowls in an adult/youth league with his parents and sister on Monday nights at Bowlero Kyrene Lanes.
"My 9 year-old sister, (Isabella), is in a league with me on Saturday mornings. She averages 131 and has a high game of 188. We all have fun bowling together and we encourage each other to do well," he says, of the family outings. "My mom's brother has been bowling since he was a kid as well and averages about 232. He has bowled 18 perfect games. I hope to do the same amount or more."
And how satisfying is it to be very good at a sport, at a young age?
"It feels good," he says, "to see how hard work pays off."
Ryan is not the only one in the Hot Shots Youth Bowling League that has received accolades this year. Also in the 16th Annual MMA Youth Championships, the following also placed in the event:
Singles Major Hdcp - 1. Justin Fetters - 759.
Team Junior Hdcp - 12 -14 - 1. Gutter Gang - 2,707 - Team Members - Nash Smyer, Jule Smyer, Sadie Widows, Bryn Widows.
Team Junior Scratch 12-14 - 2. Hot Shots, 1,861; 3. Team Turkey, 1,742; 4. Gutter Gang, 1,538; 5. Spare Me, 1,206.
At the annual MMA meeting on October 24, Bryn Widows was named the 2019-20 11 and under junior girl of the year. Bryn and Ryan actually just placed 4th in the recent JBT handicap tournament held at Bowlero Mesa on December 12th.
"We learn together," said Ryan, of what it is like to be in a great junior league like the Hot Shots "and continue growing as athletes."
And the younger kids in the league, will always have a great role model to look up to.
State Of Arizona Bowling News - December 17, 2020.