Two days after bowling 10 straight strikes – two shy of a perfect game – Hays got all 12 for his first 300 game. His milestone came at the Clark County championships on Jan. 12 at Northridge Lanes, just two days after rolling a 288 at Victory Lanes.
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“It stressed me out a little but but I knew I could do it,” Hays said, adding that coming close the first time helped calm him down during his perfect game. “I just put my mind to it. I wasn’t shaking as bad. It boosted my self esteem knowing I could bowl that.”
Added Northwestern coach Mike Dobie: “The nerves are shaking knowing everyone is watching you. That’s what he said affected him (at Victory Lanes). He turned around before he threw his 11th ball and everyone had stopped and was watching him. He said he got too nervous. This time I don’t think he paid attention.”
The adrenaline rush, though, affected Hays during his next two games. He bowled games of 300, 177 and 195 for a 672 series to place fourth in the county.
Hays will take it. His per game average was 60 when he joined the Warriors as a freshman. As as senior he averages 220 to lead the Central Buckeye Conference.
“What’s made him improve throughout the years, he’s one of those bowlers that has practiced in the off season. That’s what it takes,” Dobie said. “It doesn’t take putting your ball away at the end of the season and picking it back up at tryouts. Ryan has put in the effort the last four years. That’s why his average keeps going up.”
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Hays joined the team for fun as a freshman. Three seasons later his goal is to win the CBC title and the state championship. Hays missed qualifying for state by 12 pins last season.
“It drives me more. That’s the main thing I want is to win state,” he said. “Just to have that medal would be a huge sense of accomplishment.”
Northwestern’s last 300 game came from junior J.J. Legge in 2017. Additional leaders on the Warriors include senior Alex Bainbridge (208 average), Legge (195) and junior Evan Russell (178). Sophomore Troy Williams (180) bowled 10 strikes out of his 12 frames during the team’s Baker games at the county championships.
“We have a group of kids that at any point can shoot a 200 game. I’ve got a lot of depth. That’s what it takes,” Dobie said of winning the CBC.
As for Hays, he’s been accepted to Ohio State University He plans to attend unless a bowling scholarship offer comes. His 300 game can only help the process.
“He’s a good leader on the team and a great example for the other kids. I’m so happy he got that,” Dobie said. “I know he’s been wanting it. He’ll say he’s going to shoot a 300 before matches. But he didn’t say it (Jan. 12).”
“Just forgot to say it, I guess,” Hays said, smiling.
“It just feels amazing having the whole bowling alley stare at you. The accomplishment of bowling a 300. … My goal was to get it my senior year and I achieved it.”
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