Wulbern Will Burn The Bowling Lanes In College
Lilly Molini
Staff Writer
Some think bowling is something friends just do on the weekends, but what many don't know is that it is a passion for some.
Senior Olivia Wulbern of Waverly began bowling at the age of seven and a love for it has grown ever since.
"I love bowling, because you can never be perfect and there is always something to improve on and practice," Wulbern said.
For Wulbern, bowling started out as a fun hobby, but throughout middle school she started to take it more seriously. She competed in tournaments and practiced more to prepare herself for high school bowling.
Wulbern began to take part in private lessons to improve her skills on the lane.
“Sophomore year was when I realized how much I wanted to become a better bowler, so I could bowl at the collegiate level,” Wulbern said. “I started lessons with Dwyane Damoude my sophomore year who is still my private instructor today.”
Throughout her high school career, Wulbern was a part of many astonishing accomplishments, from a Links Tournament championship, an undefeated season and two state runner-up trophies. Wulbern was also a part of the team the last three years when Waverly girls’ bowling struck home with three consecutive District Championship trophies and a State Championship trophy.
Wulbern has bowled for the Waverly girls team for her entire high school career, and it has been on of the main impacts on her bowling path.
“The Waverly Bowling team has been a great impact on me,” Wulbern said. “I've become a better teammate and improved my mental game by being a part of the team.”
To the girls, the team isn’t just a team; they’re a family, too. As the anchor of the team, Wulbern has also made a huge impact on the girls themselves.
“She is always upbeat and never lets any of us give up,” sophomore bowler Whitney Laritson said. “We wouldn’t of had out undefeated season without her.”
Wulbern has done a numerous amount of things to prepare herself for her bowling future and it is finally beginning to pay off for her. Playing at the collegiate level is a dream anyone would love to achieve.
But for Wulbern, it soon may be her reality. It has been Wulbern’s dream to attend Vanderbilt for years. In early February, Wulbern will be sending her personal bowling video to Vanderbilt and will wait patiently for responses from Vanderbilt’s coaches.
Despite other college offers from in state, Wulbern knows a local college isn’t for her.
“I have been contacted by coaches in Nebraska, such as Midland and Hastings, but I really want to go out of state and bowl at the NCAA level,” Wulbern said.
Even though sometimes bowling isn’t something everyone recognizes as a sport, there are many things that go into to being an incredible bowler. What many love about bowling is the constant need for practice, opportunites for improving and dedication. There is lots of hard work behind the sound of pins falling.
To obtain just one bowling accomplishment there is plenty that goes into that goal before it is proficient.
“I had a goal set for my senior year and it took me three years to get to the skill level to conquer the goal,” Wulbern said.
Wulbern shows just how much her team means to her through support and the mutual love for the sport. This year the Waverly girl’s team has had many outstanding accomplishments, things anyone should be proud of.
And as for the 2013-14 season, Waverly girls’ most meaningful achievement is their State Champ title with the help of Wulbern’s wonderful charisma on and off the lanes.
