I started late during the end of Covid times, on or around 1/16/2021.
At that time, current avg. 91.
Currently, my house shot league average is 161 and sport shot 141.
So far, I’ve been to bowling alleys in about 7 different states and 1 international (Ecuador).
I’ve been collecting my tournament payout checks since I started, humbling amounts, but small victories nonetheless.
Bowling is an excellent hobby and sport, and I enjoy playing with people who have been bowling all their lives. There’s so much to learn in bowling, and I’ve absorbed material from over 5 books to find out how to do the best shots. I’ve met with pro bowlers at Brock’s Bowl in Penn Yan NY, Verity Crawly, Brianna Coté, and Sean Rash. Currently, my arsenal includes a Storm Ice (inactive), Global UFO (inactive), Global Zen, Motiv Rebel orange, Storm DNA Coil slush scented, and a Patriots plastic spare ball bought at North Country Bowling near Milan, NH. I have my eye on the Attention Star, and wouldn’t mind winning it one day in BowlersMart’s FreeBallFriday raffles.
My home alley is Auburn’s old AMF, now Bowlero, in MA. I also tend to bowl in Shrewsbury Bowlero’s lanes and learn with well-known local coach Gerard Richardson. My first coach was Dave Umbrello. I’ve played the Fun Lovers league a couple years, and on my third year in co-ed Sportsman, winning the season with first-time all women’s team The Foxxes, with Karen Jasper, Amy Gorgievski, and Julia Tutiven.
Most people like to hear about bowlers who have dedicated their entire lives to the sport. I found it a little later in the game. I have played sports my entire life, Grafton soccer for 12 years (~11 as goalie), softball for ~4 years (catcher), field hockey (goalie), track, basketball, UMass rugby, dodgeball (recreational), pickleball (recreational) and swimming.
It is my privilege to bowl with those who have been a part of leagues, alleys, and teams for decades. I only hope to inspire those who have been enjoying it for all their lives, and for those who are new and learning it. I enjoy meeting new people during tournaments and just started experiencing Nationals in 2023. Dave’s wife, Karen Umbrello, was my first doubles partner.
It is my goal to be an excellent bowler with distant dreams of pro bowling. Whether I get there or not, it’s a journey. Afterall, as a pro, they expect you to strike every frame. As long as that is still fun for me, I may aspire to be on tour one day. However, the key, like in life, is to never give up. Like I often say when difficult times are overcome, “It’s like bowling!“
Below: Sean Rash, Me, Verity Crawley, Brianna Coté in Penn Yan, NY.
Above: Me, Kurt Brockman, Brock’s Bowl, Penn Yan, NY.
It’s only just beginning.
-Rena Celeste
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