Josie Dambrino Bowling

SWIPE FOR SPECIAL THANKS!!——>

This weekend put a wrap on the GYBT season with the Tournament of Champions (TOC). I had the honor of being recognized as GYBT 2025-2026 U16G Bowler of the Year having accumulated the most points throughout the season for my division. I also had the high game, high series and high average for my division over the 8 tour stops.

This weekend was the TOC where we bowled 3 4-games blocks on unknown JG patterns. I struggled at the beginning of block A (8th of 9 after game 1), but kept my head down and found a way through to finish the block in 3rd. Block B was a struggle for most of our division and I finished 6 of 9 (whew…glad that one is over!). In Block C, I found a little something (including my spare game) and finished 2nd in that block averaging 185.5.

After bowling 12 games from the blocks, the top 5 were seeded to bowl in a step ladder, where we were introduced to the 4th pattern of the weekend. I had worked my way up to be the 3rd seed, where I faced the 4th seed. I squeaked by winning that match by 1 pin (this is why you always hear “every pin counts!”). I then went on to face the 2 seed, which came down to the last couple of frames, but I won by throwing a 202 v 195. Finally, I faced the top seed and by then, I was pretty locked in throwing my Motiv Jackal Onyx (which spent a ton of time going down the lane this weekend), throwing a 222 v 181 to clinch the championship. I averaged 192 in the stepladder.

As I reflect on the season completed and my upcoming events, my key takeaways are:
1 Spares, gotta make spares.
2 Every pin really does count.
3 Keep my head, don’t let the last bad shot affect the next shot.
4 Play the shot I got, that means I might have to make an adjustment to a spare system that supposed to be automatic.
5 Be me (I mean, who else can I be?). But it’s a reminder to know who I am and make sure that continues to be reflected on the lanes to have a positive impact on others. (This is why Cluckers the Bowling Chicken makes regular appearances as an emotional support chicken.)
6 Have fun. (This rule #1 in bowling, but it’s easy to forget when the pressure is on.).

It’s been a few days since we got back SYC KY, and now that I’ve had a few days to process, I can honestly say the weekend was full of lessons. It was definitely a weekend of peaks and valleys. The best lesson, as always, is to hang in there and just bowl. (My dad left out the unfortunate string of 4 splits in a row near the end of the very last game of the weekend.)

I can’t say enough how supportive the bowling community is and a friend pops up just when you need to ask if you’re ok.

While my performance could have been better, it was great bowling alongside the best girl bowlers in the country. There were some JG Champs, runners up, Team USA Development Team Members, and bowlers heading to bowl with the top collegiate teams in the country. I can’t wait to do it again.

Time to get back to work. Practice makes progress.

Youth of Alabama Tournament Series - Stop 5 Montgomery, AL. Another slow start, but I was able to pull together a few decent games to put me at the top of my division after game 3 and hang onto it through the end. I got to bowl with my good friend Sadie, as well as some of my Hoover Bucs Bowling Bros. Next up: GYBT Austell, GYBT Woodstock, Youth Scratch Open State, SYC Kentucky

I am honored to have been selected by the Alabama High School Bowling Coaches Association to the 6-7A All State and 1st Team All State for the ‘25-‘26 season.

Congratulations to all the bowling teams across the state that put teams on the lanes this season. This is a critical part to growing our sport. It takes a ton of dedication and sacrifice to put in practice time, attend matches, and travel to tournaments.

Finally, congratulations to all the teams that went into the post season. Your perseverance throughout the season put you (us) in a position to make a run for a state title. We went out there and left it all on the lanes and we should be very proud of what we’ve accomplished.

I can’t wait until next year. Go Bucs!

Sails Up! Pins Down!

Congratulations to Josie Dambrino on making 1st Team All-State! She proved over and over again throughout the year that she is one of the best bowlers in Alabama. Go Bucs! Sails Up, Pins Down! 🏴‍☠️🟠🎳⚫️🏴‍☠️