INDIANAPOLIS
In his third time competing at the highest level of bowling, Adam Lee had a solid showing.
Starting off with games of 138 and 139 and rolling 112 in his third one, the Special Olympics Indiana Jackson County athlete placed second in his division at Saturday’s state tournament at Western Bowl in Indianapolis.
He was among seven county athletes competing that day. Over the weekend at Western Bowl and Woodland Bowl, more than 1,300 athletes and unified partners competed.
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Click here to purchase photos from this galleryEach bowler rolled three games, and placings were based on handicap scores. There were up to eight bowlers in each division.
Lee said it was his first time earning a medal at state. The top three in each division received a medal, while fourth through eighth were given ribbons.
“I loved it,” Lee said of his strong start, noting he was rolling the ball well. “At the end, my wrist started hurting, and I was running out of energy.”
As the results were announced, Lee was happy to hear he made the top three.
“It makes me want to do more and try to get first next time,” he said.
Overall, his third experience at state was a good one because he got to interact with athletes from around the state.
“I love making new friends,” he said. “Seeing the people with different disabilities makes my heart melt and makes me feel good for myself to be around them.”
This was the first time in several years for bowling to be offered to Jackson County athletes, and Lee was glad to be a part of it.
“It helps me do much better thinking positive about all of this and believing in myself,” he said. “I try to build up friendships with people.”
As for the other county bowlers Saturday, Dennis England and Rob Smith placed fourth in their divisions, while Becky Klosterman and Dale Hickman were sixth in their divisions, and Isaiah Burnett and Donald Bennethum each placed seventh.
Smith was the only other county bowler to break 100 in a game, rolling 109 in his second one.
The bowlers qualified for state after placing high in their division at the Area 2 tournament Nov. 2 at Blackiston Bowl in Clarksville.
Klosterman placed first in that tournament and the county tournament Oct. 16 at Scottsburg Bowling Lanes. Hickman was second in the same division at area.
The county’s other 1-2 showing at area was by Bennethum and England, while Smith was second in his division, Lee tied for second in his division and Burnett was fourth in the age 12 to 21 division.
Jackson County had 20 bowlers participate in the county and area tournaments, and the team had more than 30 bowlers this season.