The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHEN the Bahamas Bowling Federation’s annual National Bowling Championships hits the lanes at Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Centre, there’s a group of bowlers who will be out to make an impression.

Captain Fred Davis has assembled a team of the top bowlers in the country, including defending men’s and women’s champion Sonith Lockhart and Driskell Rolle, to play under the sponsorship of Chilly Willy.

“I came up with this idea after we had a federation meeting and we were talking about bowling and how stressed they are about funding,” Davis said. “So I decided one of the ways to improve bowling and funding was to put a team together to be sponsored by Chilly Willy.

“I want to open up the avenue for people to see things and how we can work with the federation in trying to get bowling back to where it used to be in the glory days when we played at the Village Bowling Lanes.”

In addition to Lockhart and Rolle, the team will also feature last year’s female runner-up Xynea Johnson and veterans Kayla Nixon and Vernon Dean.

“I picked this team carefully. I picked the two defending champions because they are the defending champions. I think they are great leaders, they’re both my friends and I think they know how to represent themselves and bowling tremendously,” Davis said.

“The others, Vernon, Kayla and Xynea are all great friends of mine. We’re a good team and I feel like we gel very well together when we are playing in the various league competitions. So the camaraderie with us is close, so it’s a good way for us to come together and play as a team.”

Rolle honoured

When she was approached by Davis, Rolle said she was honoured to be a part of the team and she has promised not to let him down. “The team is a strong team with two national champions,” Rolle stated.

“We have some excellent bowlers, so we have an excellent chance of all of us being in the top five spots in our categories.”

With everybody gunning to dethrone her, Rolle said she’s not feeling any pressure. “I’m not looking ahead or at any other competitor. I’m just looking to see what I have to do, take one ball at a time and focus on those lanes and the pins.

“If I can concentrate on that, then I know I can do very well,” she said. “Granted that I won last year, I know I had some adjustments to make and when I went away to Cali, Colombia and the World Cup in Russia, I made some improvements to my game that I hope will be fruitful in the nationals.”

Johnson in good company

For someone who just loves to sip on ice, Johnson said it wasn’t a hard sell for her when Davis approached her about being a part of Chilly Willy. All we have is good bowlers on this team,” she said. “The most important thing about a team chemistry is that you have to have a good and positive attitude. Every single bowler on this team has a positive attitude.

“Me and Driskell are very good friends, Sonny is also a thorn on my side, Mr Chilly Willy (Davis) is my good friend and me and Vernon and Kayla have a very good relationship. So it’s a good team to be a part of.”

Going into the nationals, Johnson feels she will need the support of the team-mates in her corner because of the fact that she’s not been her best mentally, due to the fact that she’s nursing an injury on her right bowling thumb that recently required 12 stitches.

“Sometimes I have problems with ball fitting, but once I get pass the mental, I can bear the physical,” she said. “I’m hard at it in practice, so I am confident that I will be at my best in the nationals.”

After breezing through the tournament with ease until she had a complete breakdown in the final against Rolle, Johnson said she will be disappointed if she doesn’t work her way back into the final and even challenge for the title again this year.

Nixon excited

Having played on the team that Davis captains on Monday nights, Nixon said she’s excited to team up with him and the others for the nationals. “I think we have an exceptional team that he has got together,” she said.

“We have two national champions and some well-rounded bowlers, who have been bowling for a while, so I think we should do very well.”

Over the years, dating back to the Village Lanes, Nixon has been able to hold her own. “Sonith has given me some tips here and there to beef up my game,” she said. “I’ve been in the C category for a while. The big guns tend to knock the lower average bowlers down, but I’ve beefed up my game and I’m playing much better so I’m looking forward to some better things this year. This is a new year, so I’m looking for a better showing in the tournament this year.”

Dean pleased to

be in the mix

As one of the veterans from the Village Lanes with Davis, Dean said he is pleased to be involved in the crew because he’s never won a bowling title, but he’s with a couple of champions.

“I’m happy,” said Dean, who will be competing in the D Category. “I was pleased with what Sonny did the other night (bowl a perfect 300 game). I’m trying to do that. The closest I came to that was 266 back at the Village Lanes in 1998. So anything can happen on any given night.”

Lockhart just chilling

Like Johnson, Lockhart said he’s been thrilled with the taste of Chilly Willy. “Always love the ice,” he said when asked about being a part of the team. “I thank God for this opportunity and for giving me the health and strength, passion and ability for bowling. To the members of Chilly Willy, who are facilitating us, I’m grateful for the support.”

From last year when he won the title, Lockhart said he has constantly worked on his game and he’s eager to get back to defend his title. “I’m bowling very well right now. As you know, I just came off a perfect game. I think it’s only the third recognised 300 game in the whole country,” he said. “It was exciting for me when I did it and I believe I can shoot a lot more. It’s just a matter of being focused.”

Davis hoping to move

Admitting that his game is not up to par as well to compete with the top tier competitors, Davis said he has “found my game and so I think I should have a very good showing because I have some good people who will be there to push me along.”