Eight TNBA youth members enjoy weekend of instruction at ITRC
September 11, 2024
ARLINGTON, Texas – The National Bowling Association Youth Weekend returned to the International Training and Research Center, providing eight student-athletes with the unique opportunity to receive instruction and train at the world-class facility.
The event, created through a partnership between the United States Bowling Congress and TNBA more than a decade ago, took place this year from Aug. 15-17.
Over the course of the three-day program, players received on-lane training and participated in drills and classroom sessions with the ITRC staff. Participants also had the opportunity to hear from guest speakers and tour the ITRC and the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame.
TNBA and USBC have worked together on a concept called the TNBA/Team USA Youth Bowling Program, and this year marked the 13th time the TNBA Youth Weekend event has taken place since its inception in 2010. The event ran consecutively for 10 years before being paused due to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, then picked back up in 2022.
Applications were sent to TNBA youth members between the ages of 15-18. As part of the application process, players were asked to submit a video, showing their bowling style from different angles, along with a resume of their accomplishments. This year’s eight participants were selected from that pool of TNBA youth program applicants and included three girls and five boys:
Ezra Bentkowski, Aiea, Hawaii
Daveon Bickcom, Chicago
Olivia Cameron, Westchester, Ill.
Gregory Daniels II, Detroit
Michael Jones, Laurel, Md.
Sydney Smoot, Glen Burnie, Md.
Clayton Washington, Midlothian, Va.
Nevaeh Williams, Cincinnati
The participants were joined by TNBA Junior Directors Anthony Mitchell and Pamela Sterling and TNBA Assistant Junior Director Dominique Walker.
Providing instruction to the student-athletes were USBC Director of Coaching Development Stephen Padilla and ITRC Coach Lou Marquez, with assistance from Tom Nassar of USBC’s Equipment and Specs team, and the Wicks Pro Shop.
Professional Bowlers Association champion and Team USA member AJ Johnson was a guest speaker, and the attendees hung on every word as Johnson provided advice and direction to them.
Williams spoke of the advantages of having more than one instructor available for evaluation and critique.
“I enjoyed getting feedback from multiple coaches because some coaches see things that others don’t,” Williams said. “It’s my innate nature to learn new techniques that can enhance my bowling knowledge, and this opportunity was perfect for that.”
On their applications, the participants provided reasons why they would be a good choice to attend the weekend.
“I want to be a sponge and soak up the knowledge that will be shared with me regarding the sport of bowling and critiques to my personal game,” Bickcom said. “It is my goal to bowl at the collegiate level and beyond. I feel that this program will take me even higher by strengthening my skills, allowing me to meet new people and travel to unfamiliar places. I want to be pushed outside of my comfort zone.”
During the weekend, an emphasis was placed on individual instruction to develop both the physical and mental game. The instruction included the use of the ITRC’s advanced video analysis systems, analysis using Specto technology and additional statistical analysis. There were sessions covering the bowler’s release and an assessment of each player’s spare shooting.
In addition to on-lane instruction, the participants took part in classroom sessions on topics that included the physical game, bowling ball dynamics, ball motion dynamics and understanding the science of lane conditions and lane play.
Those aspects were especially attractive to Washington, as he indicated on his application.
“I know that I don’t know everything about bowling, and I especially want more knowledge on the technical piece of the puzzle,” Washington said. “Coming home, I would use the training I receive to continue to grow my talent and get better in the game.”
For Smoot, who continues to excel in the sport despite having spinal fusion surgery in 2021, the weekend represented an opportunity to learn and give back to the sport.
“I want to take in everything I learn from this program and give back to my community,” Smoot said. “There are people who want to immerse themselves in this sport, and I want to pioneer them to be the best bowlers that they can be. Whether it starts from the mental side of bowling or the physical side, I want to be there to help.”
The classroom and on-lane instruction was complemented by tours of the facility, including the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame at the conclusion of the first day.
Visiting the IBMHOF wasn’t the only tour provided to the participants. The participants also enjoyed the tour of USBC’s Equipment Specifications Department, which included a demonstration by E.A.R.L. (Enhanced Automated Robotic Launcher), USBC’s ball-throwing robot.
For more information on The National Bowling Association, visit TNBAInc.org.
For more information on the International Training and Research Center, visit bowlingitrc.com.
The event, created through a partnership between the United States Bowling Congress and TNBA more than a decade ago, took place this year from Aug. 15-17.
Over the course of the three-day program, players received on-lane training and participated in drills and classroom sessions with the ITRC staff. Participants also had the opportunity to hear from guest speakers and tour the ITRC and the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame.
TNBA and USBC have worked together on a concept called the TNBA/Team USA Youth Bowling Program, and this year marked the 13th time the TNBA Youth Weekend event has taken place since its inception in 2010. The event ran consecutively for 10 years before being paused due to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, then picked back up in 2022.
Applications were sent to TNBA youth members between the ages of 15-18. As part of the application process, players were asked to submit a video, showing their bowling style from different angles, along with a resume of their accomplishments. This year’s eight participants were selected from that pool of TNBA youth program applicants and included three girls and five boys:
Ezra Bentkowski, Aiea, Hawaii
Daveon Bickcom, Chicago
Olivia Cameron, Westchester, Ill.
Gregory Daniels II, Detroit
Michael Jones, Laurel, Md.
Sydney Smoot, Glen Burnie, Md.
Clayton Washington, Midlothian, Va.
Nevaeh Williams, Cincinnati
The participants were joined by TNBA Junior Directors Anthony Mitchell and Pamela Sterling and TNBA Assistant Junior Director Dominique Walker.
Providing instruction to the student-athletes were USBC Director of Coaching Development Stephen Padilla and ITRC Coach Lou Marquez, with assistance from Tom Nassar of USBC’s Equipment and Specs team, and the Wicks Pro Shop.
Professional Bowlers Association champion and Team USA member AJ Johnson was a guest speaker, and the attendees hung on every word as Johnson provided advice and direction to them.
Williams spoke of the advantages of having more than one instructor available for evaluation and critique.
“I enjoyed getting feedback from multiple coaches because some coaches see things that others don’t,” Williams said. “It’s my innate nature to learn new techniques that can enhance my bowling knowledge, and this opportunity was perfect for that.”
On their applications, the participants provided reasons why they would be a good choice to attend the weekend.
“I want to be a sponge and soak up the knowledge that will be shared with me regarding the sport of bowling and critiques to my personal game,” Bickcom said. “It is my goal to bowl at the collegiate level and beyond. I feel that this program will take me even higher by strengthening my skills, allowing me to meet new people and travel to unfamiliar places. I want to be pushed outside of my comfort zone.”
During the weekend, an emphasis was placed on individual instruction to develop both the physical and mental game. The instruction included the use of the ITRC’s advanced video analysis systems, analysis using Specto technology and additional statistical analysis. There were sessions covering the bowler’s release and an assessment of each player’s spare shooting.
In addition to on-lane instruction, the participants took part in classroom sessions on topics that included the physical game, bowling ball dynamics, ball motion dynamics and understanding the science of lane conditions and lane play.
Those aspects were especially attractive to Washington, as he indicated on his application.
“I know that I don’t know everything about bowling, and I especially want more knowledge on the technical piece of the puzzle,” Washington said. “Coming home, I would use the training I receive to continue to grow my talent and get better in the game.”
For Smoot, who continues to excel in the sport despite having spinal fusion surgery in 2021, the weekend represented an opportunity to learn and give back to the sport.
“I want to take in everything I learn from this program and give back to my community,” Smoot said. “There are people who want to immerse themselves in this sport, and I want to pioneer them to be the best bowlers that they can be. Whether it starts from the mental side of bowling or the physical side, I want to be there to help.”
The classroom and on-lane instruction was complemented by tours of the facility, including the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame at the conclusion of the first day.
Visiting the IBMHOF wasn’t the only tour provided to the participants. The participants also enjoyed the tour of USBC’s Equipment Specifications Department, which included a demonstration by E.A.R.L. (Enhanced Automated Robotic Launcher), USBC’s ball-throwing robot.
For more information on The National Bowling Association, visit TNBAInc.org.
For more information on the International Training and Research Center, visit bowlingitrc.com.