By Mikenna Barcelona, Staff Writer
He’s been bowling since he was a toddler. Now, Newman bowler Zach Smullen is the Southwest Intercollegiate Bowling Circuit Player of the Year.
Smullen, a sophomore, has bowled an average 206 during the season.
Born in Los Angeles, Smullen and his family moved to Frisco, Texas, when he was 9. He said he grew up watching bowling on television.
“My parents started taking me to bowl when I was just 2 to 3 years old, but I didn't start competing until around the start of high school,” he said.
Smullen said he never thought he would receive such a big honor.
“I was really surprised when I got the award,” he said. “It was something that I had never really considered before that moment. I was very excited when I found out.”
Newman’s bowling season has been filled with ups and downs but has been pretty successful so far. Earlier this month, the team traveled to San Antonio for the SWIBC Conference Championship and won the event. It was the Jet’s first first-place finish of the season. Smullen finished fifth in that event, and his teammate, Silas Limes, won the championship.
Smullen said he is looking forward to the team having a good post-season and maybe winning the National Championship in April.
“In future years, I hope that we will be able to build on the successes that have come this season and continue to create great competitive teams,” he said.
PHOTO: Courtesy Photo, Unsplash
