A Striking Season: The boys bowling team has greatly improved with the help from their new coach, Curtis Wells

When a boys bowling team member’s phone lights up with a GroupMe notification during their last hours of school, they know it’s from their assistant coach, Curtis Wells, saying his famous cheesy, game-day catch phrase, ‘It’s our day to shine.’ Getting the team excited before their bowling matches is one of Wells’ specialties.

“I’m a kid at heart, so hyping them up always gets me in a good mood,” Wells said. “We feed off each others’ energy, which makes the sport more lighthearted and fun.”

Since January, Olathe Mission Bowl has been occupied by the boys varsity and JV bowling teams almost every day after school. With Wells as the new assistant coach, the team’s average scores are about 100 points higher than each of last year’s meets. For an hour and a half, they drill on techniques for consistency — like where to line up on your lane and how to pick up difficult spares. Having bowled since the age of eight and having played pro after high school, Wells knows how each ball rolls and plays, which helps the team understand the ins and outs of bowling.

With guidance from Wells, sophomore Zach Sederquist completed nine strikes in a row as a member of the JV team. Everyone at Olathe Mission Bowl’s eyes were glued to Sederquist’s 15-pound ball — which was one of Wells’ extras that he handed down to him at the beginning of the season. Knocking down every pin, the team jumped up while Sederquist and Wells exchanged high fives — celebrating yet another win and the rarity of a nine-strike bowl.

“Wells taught me to come about each bowl like it is a new one, like the last one didn’t matter,” Sederquist said. “If you keep it in your head that you need to bowl a strike then you’ll probably crack under pressure.”

Under Wells’ coaching this year, the boys bowling team has gained more confidence and skill than ever before. By focusing on each stride, and keeping their cool when things don’t go their way, they’ve all been able to learn more about the sport and hit more goals as a team.

“With coach Wells there he knows all the mechanics to the sport,” Sederquist said. “He knows exactly where you should line up and where you should roll the ball.”

As an East bowling team alum, Wells came into this season aiming to help the kids build confidence in shooting spares and strikes, as well as preparing the team for state. Over the past month, Wells has improved their scores by working individually with each team member and using his old bowling balls to show them how each one rolls and reacts differently.

“I’m teaching them how to avoid my bad habits of showing up on the line in time, sliding too much, and not getting mad, in the lane,” Wells said. “Steering them in the right direction, so they can be the best of their abilities.”

At the beginning of the season, Sederquist and the rest of the bowling team struggled with picking up spares and strikes, but with Wells correcting Sederquist’s striking technique, he has improved by 20 pins throughout the season. His average score went from a 140 to consistently scoring a 160.

Since Wells joined the team, the boys have noticed an increase in motivation from the players during practices.The loud cheers and words of encouragement he brings to the environment of practices and matches make the hard work feel more fun and rewarding, according to Sederquist.

“Wells has impacted the boys on the team a lot,” Sederquist said. “He’s not so much of a strict coach type of figure, he feels like more of a friend helping us bowl.”

Junior and varsity bowler Harrison Flanagan has also improved his form and shooting technique with the guidance of Wells. According Flanagan, Wells is isn’t afraid of taking risks, such as changing up how a player shoots at a meet, which almost always helps them score higher.

“He’s really good at explaining to a kid what they’re doing wrong and how to easily correct it,” Flanagan said. “I think, as a whole, the team has improved from him pushing us to take risks with how we bowl.”

Wells has made it a priority to build trust with each kid by remaining patient and not getting frustrated with them — creating a dynamic that makes coaching easier for the kids and himself. He makes sure the kids stay on task while helping them be calm with each shot.

“He doesn’t let anyone go unnoticed,” Flanagan said. “He gives advice to the people who are struggling, but also pushes the people who are good to better themselves.”

Wells believes his job as assistant coach is to not only push the players beyond their comfort zone, but to also know each of the kids personality.

“I hope I’m impacting them by being motivated and supporting them,” Wells said. “If they have a question on a spare, I will definitely make sure I have an answer for them.”