Amanda WESS

Amanda WESS

Hubbard BOWLING

At her older brother’s eighth birthday bowling party, 3 year old Amanda Wess picked up a 6-pound pink bowling ball, turned to her parents and said, “LET’S GO.”

From then on, it’s been 15 years of memories, friendships and success for Wess. The Hubbard senior has always been an athletically charged girl playing other sports like volleyball and softball, but she’s always been drawn to bowling.

“With bowling — it’s different,” Wess said. “Each day, everyday. You can go out and be in the same position, but have a different result. I’m a perfectionist in everything I do. Until I’m prefect every single day, I’m not going to stop.”

When she rolled a 278 at 12 years old, Wess knew that bowling was her calling card. And for the past four years, qualifying for the state meet has been an expected achievement. In March, she placed third in the state with games of 210, 206 and 235. Her Eagles finished second overall as a team.

“Sharing that as a team and the people you come close with is something I’m going to remember for the rest of my life,” she said. “Being close with these girls is the best feeling and a great experience that no one else really gets the chance to experience as a high schooler.”

That circle of trust doesn’t just stop there. She thanks a lifetime of others that have inspired her.

“I’ve met so many people that have helped improve my bowling skills and that have been supporting me and knew that I was a good bowler even when I thought that I wasn’t,” she said.

Wess will attend Ursuline College in Cleveland on an academic and bowling scholarship. Beyond that, she sees a career in education and many more years of bowling ahead of her.

“I hope that my kids will love the sport as much as I do,” she says.