Pictured: Xavier Limon, Of Tucson
Experience That Xavier Limon Of Tucson Got By Qualifying For The JR Gold Championships Last Year Elelvated His Passion For Bowling.
Having Accomplishing Some Big Things For His Age Already, Junior Bowler Has Some Very Lofty Goals He Wants To Achieve.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor thetenpinexpress.com - Director Mesa Metro Association.
Tucson - - - If kids today are still asked by their teachers how they spent their summer vacations, Xavier Limon of Tucson, had quite a story to tell his fellow classmates at John E. White Elementary School last August 3, 2018.
That's because Xavier was part of a group of over 20 junior bowlers from Arizona who qualified to bowl in the Junior Gold Championships that was held last year in Dallas, TX. Xavier was able to go to the combine by winning a Junior Gold qualifier earlier in the year at Brunswick Zone Mesa. He rolled a 732 series during the qualifying which included a high game of 193. He placed fourth in the Under 12 age group at the state tournament to qualify.
"I attended a Jr.Gold Championship” in Dallas," said Xavier, on what he told he his classmates on he he spent his summer vacation last year. "My classmates had the reaction of like, 'what kind of tournament Junior Gold was'. Yes, I was surprised I qualified and made it to the Junior Gold Championship last year."
Xavier, 10, who will be promoted to Pistor Middle School in southwest Tucson this fall. Was in awe of bowling in a national junior tournament, and bowling with the best junior bowlers from around the United States.
"I was kind of amazed of what I did at my age," said Xavier, of qualifying for Junior Gold. He was 9 years old last year. "Being the 12 and under qualifier to represent Arizona, was really amazing, too. I was also amazed at how many kids from around the country that were representing the 12 and under age group as well. There is a big difference in the competition levels from being a nine year old to a 12 year old."
The Junior Gold Championship also attracts a lot of the major colleges and universities from around the country that have bowling programs. These college coaches who do attend to scout recruits, are only too happy to offer advise to a junior bowler when asked to do so.
"My favorite experience of Junior Gold, was seeing all of the professional bowlers that were there," he said, of the experience. "And all of the coaches from colleges and universities that have bowling programs."
He got one compliment from one of the top professional bowlers in attendance that even caught him by surprise.
"It was from 'Big Nasty' Wes Melot," said Xavier, of the compliment he received. "He was very impressed with my game. He told me that 'he hopes I keep on bowling, for the sake of bowling'. I bowled with his son. I was able to keep up with his son. This was a victory for me of its own. It was a very intimidating experience for me."
The Junior Gold Championships were staged at four different bowling centers in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area. This experience bowling in a big event, will be a memory that Xavier won't forget about either.
"We bowled at four different bowling centers in Dallas, and each one of them gave us a different pattern. It was hard to adjust to the pattern at first, but then with each center we bowled at, it presented a challenge," he said, of bowling in the four centers. "So many kinds, and seeing them throw the balls in different ways. I really had to learn to bowl my own game. Kids would take forever, or just go up and throw it. I learned to keep calm and throw my shot every time. It was something that I am still working with today."
While he saw kids at the tournament, that had at least two bags of bowling balls. He accepted the fact that he had to do the best with what he had in his own bag.
"It was crazy seeing all of these kids coming to the tournament with two or three bags full of equipment for the practice session the first couple of days," he said, of the others. "I come in with my three ball bag, and I have to find ways to make my equipment work. I can't switch balls like the other kids can. Its hard, but I have to make it work somehow."
Xavier and his family also got another big surprise from the Tucson bowling community, before he and his family traveled to Dallas for the Junior Gold event. As Cactus Bowl hosted a fund raiser for him to help off set travel expenses.
"I was really happy," he said, of the fund raiser. "That all of the people from the Tucson bowling community came out to support me on what I did to qualify and go to the Junior Gold Championships."
Xavier is one really intelligent youngster for his age. It is easy to see that he inherited his intelligence from his mother, Sonja. And his father, Ruben. And he knows how to adjust to the lane conditions when he has to. The right-handers highest series is a 680, and his highest game is a 224. He also has picked up the big four split at Brunswick Mesa.
"Spares. Mostly the corner pins," said Xavier, on what he feels he has to work on, to raise his game to the next level. "Plus, I have to work on my mind set. I always think about what I have to do on the lanes before I do it. I have to stop getting ahead of myself on the lanes. I was amazed for sure when I picked up the big four. I threw at the 6-10 combo, and I was just trying to pick up the two pins. But, then, the six pin slid across the pin deck and hit the 7 pin first.
"And then, it started the move back and fourth," he continued. "Then at the last second, the 7 pin fell forwrd and knocked over the 4 pin. I pumped my fist and yelled YEAH!!!. And everyone gave me high fives. It was an awesome feeling. Then, one of my teammates picked it up in the next game the next pair down from me. I was like WOW!. Two big fours made in one day. UNBELIEVABLE."
Within the last year, he could sense he has improved a lot in the game of bowling. Besides the practice time he puts in, he can point to one aspect that has helped him out a lot.
"I think I have improved a lot more. On a scale of one to 10, its at 1,000," he said, of where he feels his game is at right now. "Going to Junior Gold last year and experiencing the level of competition helped me out a lot. "I am really proud that I went to Junior Gold."
Between his leagues and practice time, he currently bowls about 12 games a week. In his Saturday House League at Cactus Bowl, he is averaging around 159. And in his two sport leagues around 143. The junior leagues he bowls in, in Tucson are: The Saturday House League At Cactus Bowl. Sunday is a Junior Gold Classic league. A traveling Sport shot league. And, Monday was the JTL out of Golden Pin Lanes. Also a Sport shot league. He also gets one practice session a week from Kalyn Arthurs. Kalyn bowled in college at Delaware State, and is one of the top female bowlers in Tucson.
"Without a doubt," said Ruben. "The experience he got at Junior Gold last year, was instrumental in his improvement. He would not be where he is today in bowling, without Kalyn coaching him. As his parents, we don't push him. This is something he wants to do. If he starts to get down on himself for not seeing improvements in certain parts of his game. He is smart enough to take a break and a couple of weeks off. And come back refreshed after the break."
He has also competed on the JBT tour. The JBT offers junior bowlers another chance of earning money for their smart account.
"I bowled in a JBT event in Southern California and finished 18th out of 54 bowlers," he said, of bowling a JBT event. And how he stacks up against other juniors. "I missed the cut by 20 pins. I love to travel and meet new people."
He plans on being more active on the JBT Tour this year.
"I have a 147 average on the JBT tour right now. I have not bowled many JBT events in the past," he said, of his experience on the JBT. "But, I plan on being more involved with the JBT this upcoming year. I like the challenges the JBT gives me. Changing lanes after every game is a big challenge for me. As is, learning how to adjust with the different lane conditions."
He has a very lofty goal as to where he wants to be in bowling in a couple of years.
"I would like to carry a 200 average by the time I turn 13. And when I get older, be able to make it to the PBA tour," he says, of the goal. "I realize its going to take a lot of hard work on my part, and yes I really do believe I can achieve this goal."
He was also a really good baseball player, but wanted to try out bowling. As it turned out, bowling was the right choice for him. He is also one who is not afraid to make his own moves, even if his mom and dad sometimes disagree with him.
"The first year he bowled in the state tournament, he bowled with the older kids. Through his self dedication to bowling he has been able to do some good things for himself," said his father. "If it were up to him, he would be in a bowling center every day practicing. As his parents, we want him to go as far as he can go in the game of bowling. Baseball and football don't have the scholarship opportunities that bowling does.
"The support we have gotten through the bowling community in Tucson, has taken us by storm," continued Ruben. "Sonja and myself would like to see him graduate from college. If he is able to do it through a bowling scholarship, that is OK with us."
Xavier's favorite baseball team is the L.A. Dodgers and favorite player is Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers are currently leading the NL West Division.
Tucson Bowling News - June 16, 2019