Pictured: Matt Wachter (Center) With His Coaches Shelli And Mark Wojtusiak, At The 2015 Regional Southwest Tournament.
Solid Work Ethic Helps Local Teen Succeed As A Junior Bowler In The East Valley.
At Age 16, Matt Wachter's 203 Average Led The MMA Youth Bowlers In 2015-16.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor - thetenpinexpress.com - Director Mesa Metro Association
Mesa - - - You never really know how much you really enjoy writing about the game of bowling until you interview a junior bowler who, at a young age, really knows what he wants to accomplish in the sport.
At the age of 16, and a sophomore at Mesquite High School in Gilbert, Arizona. Matthew Wachter, is that junior bowler who really knows what he wants to accomplish in bowling.
He is off to a good start, because at the end of the 2015-16 MMA junior bowling season, he came out on top of all the youth bowlers by posting a final book average of 203.
"My accomplishment at the end of last year really means a lot," he said recently before the start of the Youth Sport Pattern League at Brunswick Zone Mesa. "It just goes to show that all of my hard work has paid off."
There were 11 junior bowlers who averaged 190 or higher in the MMA youth program last year. Rounding out the top five are: Christopher Mayes, 201: Gabriel Villegas, 199; Bailey Jayes, 197; and Connor Metzler, 197.
"I understand how the game of bowling functions, and understand it very well. I also watch a lot of bowling videos. I am able to gain my knowledge of the game by watching those videos," said Matt, who ironically is the only bowler in his family. "I have learned how to use the equipment that's in my bag to the best of my ability."
He started to get a sense that he could be good at this game if he stuck with it, at the age of 14.
"I was throwing a ball that hooked then, and I was averaging around 180," he said, on when he felt like he could be good in the game. "Bowling is an independant thing, and you have total control on how you bowl."
Matt was able to accomplish his high average honors in the Strikes and Spares Youth League at AMF Chandler Lanes last year. The league has since moved to AMF Mesa. He is also bowling in the Mesa Strikers Youth League at BZM this year as well. The right-hander credits his success to two things.
"My coach, Mark Wojtusiak, will always push me to do well. His coaching has really helped me improve my game as a bowler," he said, of one thing that has helped him become successful in bowling. "The other thing that has helped me in bowling is how I practice. I only bowl about eight practice games a week, but they are quality practice sessions. Practicing picking up 10 pins and single pins I feel, has also helped me raise my average."
Bowling in two different junior leagues in two different houses this year has only made him better. He rolled a 296 game in the Mesa Strikers Youth League in mid-February at BZM. His high series is currently a 778. During his first three weeks at AMF Mesa, he has rolled series of 604, 610, and 603.
"It makes me feel proud that I have the capability to bowl a 300 game. And rolling an honor score really does give me the incentive to keep on getting better in bowling," he said, of the 296 game he rolled on lanes 33-34. "The lane conditions bowling in two houses are different, but after my third week at AMF Mesa, I am getting used to a new house."
Matt has also had some experience bowling on the JBT Tour. The JBT is a tour that showcases the top junior talent in the Valley. It gives kids a chance to earn money that is put in a SMART account for college. And in the process, hopefully get recruited by a big bowling school. He had won a JBT doubles event at the end of 2015 with Madison Holdman.
"Bowling in JBT events really helps you bowl better, and bowl with more accuracy," he said of the competition. "I feel junior bowlers are as good as they are today because of the equipment and because of the new bowling balls that come out on the market."
Another big junior tournament, the Tournament of Champions, will be bowled at BZM the weekend of April 8-9.
"I would just like to stay on top of my game," he said, of what he would like to accomplish bowling in the TOC. "And stay focused the entire weekend."
After graduating from high school, Matt would like to continue bowling in college. At ASU, Wichita State, or Webber International.
Mesa Bowling News - March 7, 2017