onefrombills
07-13-2009, 09:24 PM
The bowlers that will compete in the USBC Junior Gold Championships were on the lanes Saturday in Indianapolis for their first day of practice. Off the lanes, they had the opportunity to learn a little about themselves and possibly their future.
Nearly 2,000 of the best youth bowlers are in Indianapolis to compete in the USBC Junior Gold Championships. The bowlers will have a second day of practice on Sunday with the competition starting Monday at Woodland Bowl, Western Bowl and Expo Bowl. The tournament runs through July 17.
While they had the chance to work on their game in practice, Dr. Dean Hinitz tried to help the bowlers with the mental approach to the game during a morning seminar. A full conference room listened as "Dr. Dean," a leading authority on bowling psychology, discussed the mental tools needed to compete at the highest levels of competition.
Kalyn Washburn of Tucson, Ariz., making her first appearance at Junior Gold, had worked with Dr. Hinitz before but she "wanted to make sure that my dad got a chance to hear what Dr. Dean had to say, too. I think it puts everybody in the right mind frame to begin the competition."
Dr. Hinitz said it was great opportunity for him to be able to talk with the parents and kids together.
"It doesn't get to be addressed that much, not just talking about the mental-game principles but the mental-game principles of kids and parents being together," Dr. Hinitz said. "It was one of the best venues I've ever been in."
Blake Paris of Brentwood, Calif., said that he learned that you just "have to keep it simple."
"It's like practice; you stay free, live in the moment and the scores will come," Paris said. "Be patient and don't force things."
Following Dr. Hinitz, the collegiate seminar featured coaches from NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA institutions discussing their programs, scholarships opportunities and the college bowling experience.
Payden Stumpf of Puyallup, Wash., said he learned about NCAA and other programs, and the regulations and rules for recruiting. He said the information will help with the process of determining a college. Payden's mom, Karen, added "it was lots of information; it was exciting."
In addition to the conferences, the bowlers had the chance to stop by the many exhibits around the check-in area for the Junior Gold competition. Pro bowlers Wes Malott, Chris Barnes and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard were among those on hand to sign autographs and talk with the competitors.
Also Saturday, the USBC Youth Open Championships, which kicked off the 16 days of USBC youth competitions in Indianapolis, finished its second day of competition. The tournament, sponsored by Pepsi, will break for the USBC Junior Gold Championships before resuming for its final 10 days, July 16-25.
For more information on the USBC Youth Open, the USBC Junior Gold Championships and the USBC Junior Gold program, visit bowl.com.
Nearly 2,000 of the best youth bowlers are in Indianapolis to compete in the USBC Junior Gold Championships. The bowlers will have a second day of practice on Sunday with the competition starting Monday at Woodland Bowl, Western Bowl and Expo Bowl. The tournament runs through July 17.
While they had the chance to work on their game in practice, Dr. Dean Hinitz tried to help the bowlers with the mental approach to the game during a morning seminar. A full conference room listened as "Dr. Dean," a leading authority on bowling psychology, discussed the mental tools needed to compete at the highest levels of competition.
Kalyn Washburn of Tucson, Ariz., making her first appearance at Junior Gold, had worked with Dr. Hinitz before but she "wanted to make sure that my dad got a chance to hear what Dr. Dean had to say, too. I think it puts everybody in the right mind frame to begin the competition."
Dr. Hinitz said it was great opportunity for him to be able to talk with the parents and kids together.
"It doesn't get to be addressed that much, not just talking about the mental-game principles but the mental-game principles of kids and parents being together," Dr. Hinitz said. "It was one of the best venues I've ever been in."
Blake Paris of Brentwood, Calif., said that he learned that you just "have to keep it simple."
"It's like practice; you stay free, live in the moment and the scores will come," Paris said. "Be patient and don't force things."
Following Dr. Hinitz, the collegiate seminar featured coaches from NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA institutions discussing their programs, scholarships opportunities and the college bowling experience.
Payden Stumpf of Puyallup, Wash., said he learned about NCAA and other programs, and the regulations and rules for recruiting. He said the information will help with the process of determining a college. Payden's mom, Karen, added "it was lots of information; it was exciting."
In addition to the conferences, the bowlers had the chance to stop by the many exhibits around the check-in area for the Junior Gold competition. Pro bowlers Wes Malott, Chris Barnes and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard were among those on hand to sign autographs and talk with the competitors.
Also Saturday, the USBC Youth Open Championships, which kicked off the 16 days of USBC youth competitions in Indianapolis, finished its second day of competition. The tournament, sponsored by Pepsi, will break for the USBC Junior Gold Championships before resuming for its final 10 days, July 16-25.
For more information on the USBC Youth Open, the USBC Junior Gold Championships and the USBC Junior Gold program, visit bowl.com.