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For most people, bowling a perfect 300 game is an unattainable dream. This would require 12 strikes in a row. For Zach Mitchell, Grand View’s star junior bowler, this dream is a reality. 

On three separate occasions, Mitchell has bowled a perfect 300 and has received an award ring for each time it has happened. He also averages a 201 each game and has competed at the USA trials for bowling. So how did he get this good at the sport? 

It starts with experience. Mitchell has been bowling since he was 3 years old and has been collegiately bowling for three years.   

“I had some friends that were older than me that did it and I was intrigued by it,” he said.  

The amount of time spent in the bowling alley is what helps bowlers perform well at tournaments. 

“With 17 years of experience, you’re going to learn so much over time that it’s all going to come together,” Mitchell said. “Every time you bowl in college or overseas or even in the U.S., everything you have learned goes into that one tournament to be successful.”

Mitchell recently put his skill to the test and tried out for team USA trials and finished a strong 22nd out of 175 overall. This includes some of the best bowlers from all over the world.

“It was really competitive,” Mitchell said. “Everyone there really knows what they are doing; it was a very new environment. College helped me a lot because we bowled throughout the fall semester. I bowled three to four times a week.”  

With this much experience, one needs a strong support system to help carry the load. Not only does Mitchell have motivating parents, but his parents have also bowled for years. 

“They love to see me compete and do well,” he said. “The fact that I did well at team USA trials made them feel proud that they were able to get me into it and see that I enjoy it.” 

Mitchell’s teammates are also part of this support system and rely on him just as much as he relies on them. 

Brandon Jerome, one of Mitchell’s teammates, said he is a good person to be around during tournaments.

“He is very open and honest but also really helpful and a good leader and example on our team,” Jerome said.

Jerome is also Mitchell’s roommate this year at GV, and this adds to the competitive nature that the two already have to begin with. 

“I’ll win some here and there, but he usually wins most of them,” Jerome said. “I’m trying to get up there on his skill level.” 

For bowlers, another key part of the sport is the relationship between a coach and the players.

“Zach is a team player,” said Melody Felton, GV’s head bowling coach. “For him to stay focused on his game and to have a positive attitude with the team and show good work ethics to keep everybody focused will be a big help for us to get to nationals.”

Felton has been the head coach for three years. She worked with Mitchell on his consistency as well as his spare shooting, since she said spare shooting is key with bowling. 

Felton also applauded Mitchell’s commitment. 

“Three boys came down with the flu, and Zach was determined that he was going to bowl,” Felton said. “‘(He said) bowl me. If I can bowl, bowl me. Pull me if you have to, but I want to bowl if I can contribute.’ And he bowled all 20 games. It’s not about him, it’s about the team.”

As for the GV bowling team, they strive for spares and strikes on the scoreboard this year as they travel across the Midwest, playing in championships and classics. 

“I think bowling with Grand View has helped me because everybody cares and wants to be here,” Mitchell said. “Everybody here wants to do well for their team here, which makes it more fun and competitive.”