Name: Luke Speziale
Year: senior
Hometown: Hinsdale
How did you get interested in bowling?
I really enjoyed bowling growing up. I just saw one of the posters for the sign up (at school). I ended up missing the tryouts completely. The team needed freshmen my freshman year, so I just showed up to some of the practices.
What do you enjoy most about the sport?
Just getting to bowl with some fun people, some of my friends, and just making good relationships over time.
How have you improved since your freshman year?
Overall, I've become way better at every aspect of bowling than when I was a freshman.
Do you have any pre-meet rituals?
My teammates say I'm superstitious. Before I throw the ball, I'll slide my feet back three times and then take a deep breath, and I do that every time.
How much of bowling is a mental game?
I would say a huge portion of the game is a mental game. If you're in a bad mood while you bowl, you get easily frustrated and you get worse and worse.
What is the best advice you've gotten from a coach?
Any advice about trying to avoid over-thinking what you're doing, and when you're struggling to completely ignore that fact and move on and start with a clean slate.
What is your goal for the season?
Individually, it's just to continue to increase my average and to try to make a good run in state. As a team, just try to win a few more games this season.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I have 70 cousins. My mom was the youngest of nine.
Why does coach Alex Hipskind like having Speziale on the team?
Luke is a great kid, always prepared, always has a smile on his face and (is) very easygoing. Through his actions and mannerisms, Luke demonstrates to the underclassmen how to compete and be respectful. Though he thoroughly enjoys the sport, he doesn't take himself too seriously. He has fun while putting up some pretty impressive stats. He strikes a great balance between these.
- profile by Pamela Lannom, photo by Jim Slonoff
