Bowling was the largest-growing high school sport in the 2007-08 school year, continuing a decade-long trend, according to the most recent National Federation of State High School Associations participation survey.

More than 52,000 students competed at the 4,656 schools offering high school bowling competition in 2007-08, representing a 16 percent increase from the 45,064 bowlers who participated during the 2006-07 school year. Lacrosse saw the second-largest increase in 2007-08 at 14 percent.

"The sustained growth of high school bowling is great news for the bowling industry as it increases the number of competitive opportunities and enhances bowling's image," said United States Bowling Congress Director of Youth Development Brian Graham. "Over the past 10 years, we have witnessed significant growth at the high school level and we expect to see this trend continue."

In the last decade, bowling participation has nearly tripled. During the 1998-99 school year, 17,930 students competed in bowling at 1,633 schools.

In 2007-08, varsity programs were offered in 20 states and 52,226 students participated in the sport. The sport also passed the 25,000 mark for both boys and girls participation with 26,652 boys participating at 2,298 schools and 25,614 girls participating at 2,358 schools.

"USBC is excited to continue our partnership with the NFHS to encourage the growth of high school bowling throughout the country," said USBC High School Manager Breanne Eoff. "Bowling is a great addition for any high school. It reaches a wider range of student-athletes than traditional high school sports and teaches teamwork, preparation and commitment."

States offering varsity bowling for boys and girls in 2007-08 were Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Iowa and Washington offered girls varsity programs only, South Carolina had private school varsity programs, and Minnesota offered adaptive bowling for students with physical or cognitive disabilities.

The USBC High School program works to continue this upward trend by guiding all levels of high school bowling, providing rules and instructional opportunities. USBC High School offers a free membership program, which enables coaches to nominate outstanding bowlers to the national Dexter/USBC High School All-American Team, and provides high-score recognition to student-athletes. Coaches also receive resource materials such as the USBC Coaches Guidebook and USBC High School Guide.

Bowling not only offers inexpensive start-up and maintenance costs but also allows students an opportunity to become involved with their high schools, lays the foundation for a lifetime sport and helps athletes earn scholarships and bowl in college.