Olathe Northwest’s Washford is The Star’s boys All-Metro bowler of the year

In the week after his Kansas 6A state bowling championship, Olathe Northwest senior Matt Washford realized just how significant the feat was.

“You go back to school and a lot of people are congratulating you that you don’t talk to all that much. It was amazing,” Washford said. “Before hand, bowling wasn’t necessarily taken as a sport by a lot of people.”

It was hard to ignore what Washford accomplished this season. He won his second consecutive Sunflower League championship and then won his first state title with a personal-best 752 series.

With those credentials — and a 219 average — he also received honors as The Star’s boys All-Metro bowler of the year.

“The best way I could go out,” he said of his final tournament.

Indeed. After falling short of his goals in the state tournament last season, Washford seized his final opportunity earlier this month at Thunderbird Bowl in Wichita.

With games of 236, 269 and 247, Washford won the state title by 14 pins.

He started bowling early, but as a ninth-grader he chose to play basketball instead. He joined the bowling team as a sophomore and found his passion.

Washford plans to study accounting at Kansas, where he hopes to try out for the bowling team.

He would also like to think that the success he and the team enjoyed this season will help continue to improve the Ravens’ bowling program after he’s gone.

“Between (teammate Jennifer Wood) and myself, we’ll get some people out to even watch a couple bowling meets next year,” he said.

submitted by RYAN YOUNG - 2008-03-27 22:29:03

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