Bowling, the other winter sport

There’s basketball, wrestling and swimming indoors all winter in Columbia Falls. But there’s another indoor sport that gets kids active during the cold and windy months — bowling.

About 16 youths ranging from as young as five to teens are part of the Glacier Lanes youth bowling league.

Bowling is an old sport, dating back to ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire. Including adults, about 200 people bowl in leagues at Glacier Lanes, owner Steve Ferkovich said.

The kids at Glacier Lanes are in it to have fun and win a trophy once a while, although high school kids, if they stick with it, have a shot at significant college scholarships, longtime coach Sue Keller said.

Keller has coached youth bowling at Glacier Lanes for 40 years. At one time, about 40 kids bowled in the youth leagues. The secret to becoming a good bowler is the same as any sport, she said.

“Practice,” she said. “Take your time and don’t get in a hurry.”

Keller likes to start kids young.

“We get them going as soon as they can handle an 8-pound ball,” she said.

Glacier Lanes is unique is one of the few bowling alleys that still has hardwood lanes. Many newer places have synthetic floors, and the ball travels much differently on those surfaces.

Keller said it can pay — literally — for teens to stick with the sport. Local leagues offer scholarships to teen bowlers entering college, and if they go onto state competition they can earn several thousand in scholarships.

Bowling is an inexpensive sport. An afternoon of bowling costs $6, including shoe rentals. Most kids have their own ball.

Fifth-grader Nick Rodarte has been bowling for about three years. He lines up the ball on one side of the lane and it swings to the middle — that’s how he wants it to go.

“I don’t want to shoot the ball straight,” he said.

His best score is 151 so far, and he averages 91. Last year, teen bowler Alysha Cantu shot 299 at Glacier Lanes — one pin shy of a perfect score.

Youths interested in bowling can still sign up, Keller said. The best thing to do is just stop by the alley and ask for her. She’s at Glacier Lanes almost every day of the week.