Kristen Doherty is a bowling pin’s worst enemy. The Carle Place High School sophomore and varsity bowler competed this past Sunday, March 8, in the state bowling championships in Syracuse, helping the Nassau County team/ Section VIII team come in fourth place.
Her high game was a 226 and her overall average was a 178.
“I’m pretty pretty proud of how I did because my average was higher than my average during the season,” Doherty said. “My team was really supportive and kept me calm throughout the six games as well as my coach.”
Doherty has been bowling since she was five years old, inspired by her older brother, Sean, who was an avid bowler.
“I was very influenced by him, he was my only guidance on how to bowl,” said Doherty. “He gave me a lot of tips and was a very good bowler. I’ve always dreamed of being as good as him.”
Doherty played on bowling teams as a youngster and joined the Carle Place High School varsity bowling team in eighth grade. For the past two years, she’s also played on a scholarship league.
She goes to the bowling alley about four days out of the week during the school year. And though she’s been bowling for more than 10 years, she says she’s still always looking to improve.
“I want to keep improving on what I do, and try to take as many tips as I can,” Doherty says.
Some of the people she learns from are her teammates. Doherty is the youngest person on the varsity bowling team and says her older peers teach her how to remain calm under pressure.
“They calm me down when I’m not doing well and have to refocus,” says Doherty. “I look up to them. They seem very calm and collected when they bowl so I take tips from them on how to chill out.” But Doherty’s also teaching her teammates a lot about the game. Varsity girls bowling coach Allen Foraker says she is a quiet leader, who is the team’s strongest bowler. Her best score is 258.
“If you’re looking for a girl to lead us, and lead by example, it would be Kristen,” Foraker said. “To be a sophomore and go up to states is a true testament to her ability and work over many years.”
Doherty finished fifth during Nassau County championships. She said she never expected to make it to states.
“I honestly was very surprised. When I was going to the county’s, I didn’t expect this at all. But I was very pleased and excited that I got this chance to go,” said Doherty.
Going forward, Doherty is hoping to continue bowling for as long as she can.
“The excitement never wears off. There’s something different about every single game,” says Doherty. “I like the people that do it with me and the thrill of getting strikes. And I always want to improve and get better.”
