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Tartan adapted bowlers focus on more than strikes and spares

The adapted bowling team, which won a 2014 state title, focuses on fun.

For the Minnesota Star Tribune

May 3, 2015 at 12:09AM

Tartan sophomore Yeng Her said he loves rolling strikes, but the best part of bowling is “Friends, being on a team.” (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Bowlers might throw dozens of practice frames to work on their delivery, speed, where to stand, the best ways to pick up difficult spares and how to bump up averages by a pin or two each week. The list can go on and on.

But what about having fun?

That's the big focus for the Tartan adapted bowling team. Fun and sportsmanship win out over final scores.

"We do things opposite when it comes to sports," said coach Pam Brandt, in comparison to non-adaptive sports.

Instead of working on fundamentals, the team looks at building personalities and "learning how to get along with other people," Brandt said. They also focus on keeping kids on task.

The team philosophy is simple.

"Mainly, just to have fun and do your best," said Trudy McQuiston, coach for the North St. Paul adapted bowling team.

The 26 members of Tartan's adapted team bowl alongside North St. Paul's team at Sun Ray Lanes in St. Paul. They used to combine as one squad but separated a couple of years ago as interest grew. They set up matches with other schools where they compare scores afterward rather than bowl at the same site together.

At the state tournament last year, Tartan won the Cognitively Impaired division team title. It was the fifth team title for Tartan, but it came as a surprise, according to Brandt.

"I think it was kind of teamwork," Brandt said. "Being very positive. I don't let them get down on each other."

Sophomore Justin Breister said he remembers feeling great when they won. He added that he felt a little bit of pressure, but quickly brushed it off, circling back to the real reason they compete.

"We don't really care," he said. "We just came out here to have fun."

Breister came a long way from where he started last season.

"He came up to me and asked if he got to use bumpers," Brandt said.

After hearing he wasn't, Breister thought his bowling was "going to go downhill." But he also tied for 14th place in the state singles competition, the highest for any Tartan bowler last year.

Both Yang Her, a sophomore on the state title team, and Breister love rolling strikes; it's one of their favorite parts of bowling. What else does Her like about the sport?

"Friends, being on a team," he said.

Marks count toward the fun, too. The bowlers strive for turkeys (three strikes in a row) because each one a bowler rolls will earn a $1 reward from the coach, to be used toward the arcade at Brunswick Zone in Brooklyn Park during the state tournament. Before April 28, Tartan had 10 turkeys for the season.

The focus on having a good time doesn't mean the work isn't there. Brandt helps them with form and directs them on where to hit their spares.

One tip she offers: Bring your hand up to your ear after you release the ball, just like answering a phone.

She also has another piece of advice, more cosmetic than technical.

"When you throw the ball, you need to smile; otherwise, you won't get a strike," Brandt said.