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Bowling News USA - January 15, 2010 4 local teens recognized for knocking down more bowling pins than anyone else

FORT LEE - Bowling pins, beware. A group of four local teens have knocked down more of you than any other team. The Butterworth Strikers hit a 1,065 game last year, a record for their age category and within points of top collegiate scores.

Saturday morning, the packed lanes were quiet as representatives of the U.S. Bowling Congress congratulated the Strikers on the record game. They bowled the best scratch four-player single team game for the 15-18 age group in the 2008-2009 seasons in February.

Athletes Trey Hicks, Albert Williams Jr. and brothers Brandyn and Jonathan "Blake" Cox received the USBC Youth National Team Recognition Award and free bowling passes for their achievement.

The group came together after facing off on different teams at a state championship. "We decided to become a team," said Troy Hicks of Petersburg. The quartet is no stranger to bowling. Hicks started bowling at age 6 with his dad; Williams started along with his dad and played in Germany and the U.S. The Cox brothers grew up in the hobby.

"They wanted to do what granddad did" along with other family members, said mom Lisa Cox.

The group has a positive vibe, said Albert Williams Sr., a father who also serves as league coach.

"They decided to put their talent together and they just feed off each other. They believe in making each other better," he said of the team.

What brought them together on the lanes was the Fort Lee Youth League Program, explained Walter "Chip" Wikan, manager of the Fort Lee Bowling Center. The all-volunteer effort brings the sport to about 130 children and teens in the peewee, junior and senior ranks. Corporate sponsors like Butterworth's stepped in and helped expand the program two years ago, Wikan said.

After the awards ceremony, the lanes are rolling again and scorers glow from the screens. Dozens of children and teens face off and learn the sport one roll at a time.

Fort Lee has the ability to add players during the season, a rarity among programs and a boon for Army families.

"People PCS (permanent change of station) all the time," Wikan said. Bowling is an activity that is the same across bases, states and countries, he said, which can be reassuring for youth.

"Our goal is to grow bowlers," said Williams Sr.

Wikan praised the record performance. Hicks bowled a 243; Blake one point higher; Williams Jr. a 278; and Brandyn Cox a perfect 300.

"They, quite frankly, are like a middle school football team beating an NFL team," he said.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Hicks between frames

Courtesy of progressindex.com

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January, 2010