Name: Lainey Harvey
Year: senior
Hometown: Willowbrook
When did you first start bowling?
Freshman year. My friend at the time, she was going to try out and then she encouraged me to try out. At the time, I really knew nothing about bowling. At the first tryout, I did surprisingly well.
What do you enjoy most about the sport?
It's just a fun activity that you can kind of pick if it's competitive or not.
How has COVID-19 affected competitions?
It used to be three girls on one team next to three girls on the other team. Because of COVID, it's both teams totally separate with a couple of lanes splitting them. We really get no interaction with the other teams at the meet. The competitive spirit is kind of thrown off.
How much have you improved since your freshman year?
I would say I have improved a lot in terms of bowling technique. There is a lot of technique to bowling that most people don't realize. I definitely have grown in my ability to get a higher score and really improve on my bowling skills.
As captain, what kind of example do you try to set for younger players?
I show them how to bowl and bowling etiquette for the younger ones that don't know that. Also, my attitude probably can affect them. If I throw a bad ball and I don't focus on the next one, it has an effect on them. I have to show them you do have to move on and focus on the next one.
Do you have any pre-meet rituals or routines?
The whole team does a cheer before each meet. It's a fun thing to do to get everyone hyped.
What is your goal for the season?
As a team, I would say a goal is for the varsity to get above 800 in total per game in every match. An individual goal, I would say I want to get an average above 200.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I'm ambidextrous. I bowl with my right hand, but I play softball and I throw with my left hand and do everything lefty. It's pretty weird.
Why does coach Paul Parpet like having Harvey on the team?
Lainey is a very good competitor. She is a two-year captain and is an outstanding teammate.
- profile by Pamela Lannom, photo by Jim Slonoff
