Tuesday Conversation: Proctor bowler takes aim on lanes, in classroom
January 4, 2010
Bowling is a big part of Nicole Parkhurst's life. It's so big, in fact, that the Thomas R. Proctor High School senior earned a bowling scholarship to Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas. Also, she was one of only five girls nationally named to the 2008-2009 Dexter USBC High School All-American Team. She routinely bowls 600 series and has rolled 11 series of 700 or higher this season.
Question: How did you get started in bowling?
Answer: When I was 4 years old, my parents signed me up to be in the Stars of Tomorrow youth league at Pin-O-Rama lanes. This is a great league that I have been apart of ever since. It's a wonderful opportunity for kids to get exposed to the sport, and the program provides coaching so kids that want to, can improve their bowling skills.
Q: Were you pretty good at the start, or did you have to work at it.
A: My parents knew when I was young that I showed natural ability. Once I decided to take bowling seriously, I had to put in a lot of time and effort to get to the point where I am at now. For the past eight years, my coach, Larry Porter, has worked extensively with me to improve my game. Without his patience and dedication, there is no doubt in my mind that I would not have achieved the results that I have enjoyed today.
Q: I see your parents in the bowling scores on occasion. Is there some friendly competition going on?
A: My mom is having the best year she has ever had. We bought her some new equipment and she has really improved. My dad and I have always had a private competition between us. When I first started out, he used to give me 100 pins a game. This has dramatically changed over the years to where now we bowl each other scratch. He is also having one of his best years. You can rest assured that I am comfortably ahead at the midpoint of the season and will not have to worry about paying for the gas in my car for the foreseeable future.
Q: What is a bad day on the lanes for you? What is a good day?
A: A bad day on the lanes for me would be a series under 600, or a day where I am missing spares I shouldn't be. A good day is a series over 700. This year so far, I am having my best year ever. I only bowled one series under 600, which was a school match at Central Square. So far this year, I have bowled 11 series of 700 or higher.
Q: As you've gotten better, is there more pressure on you to do well all the time?
A: Most definitely. Whenever I go into the lanes, my reputation has usually preceded me. There is an expectation from not only myself but from others who are counting on me, especially when I bowl team events.
Q: You are one of five girls around the nation selected for the 2008-2009 Dexter USBC All-American Team. What does that recognition mean to you?
A: Being selected for the Dexter USBC High School All American Team was probably the most exciting experience in my bowling career. When I was presented the trophy in Indianapolis this past summer, it was a vindication to me that all of the dedication and hard work I had put into bowling had paid off. I was especially proud of being selected to the team as a junior. This year, I hope to become only the third two-time All-American female member in the history of the award.
Q: What kind of advice do you give to the younger members of the Proctor team?
A: I try to give my teammates the benefit of my experience of bowling six years on the varsity level. We talk about controlling their mental game to try to eliminate nervousness. We have a younger team, and many of them look to me for guidance. The last two years my team has bowled exceptionally well and is the two-time Section III champions. My coach has always encouraged me to offer advice to my team members when I can be of assistance.
Q: You're going to Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas on a bowling scholarship. How did you choose Austin?
A: Over the past two years I have been recruited by numerous Division I schools. This past fall I narrowed down my list and visited three schools in Kansas, Arkansas and Texas. The final decision was between Arkansas and Texas. My educational goal is to major in elementary education, and after visiting both schools I felt that Stephen F. Austin would provide me with an opportunity to further my bowling career goals and give me the best opportunity to excel in my education major.
Q: Did you ever envision that your bowling skills would get you a college scholarship?
A: In the beginning I was hopeful, but my parents cautioned me not to be overly optimistic. Over the past couple years as I talked to college coaches around the country, I realized that my hopes were probably going to come true.
Q: Complete this sentence: "In my perfect world, in the next 10 years I would like to ..."
A: Finish my college education and find a job in my related field. I would also hope to possibly compete in some of the women's professional bowling tournaments across the country and try to become a member of Team USA. If I could only have one of these, I would rather be a teacher. As important as bowling is to me, being a teacher has been my lifelong ambition. I have no doubt that I will be bowling somewhere for the rest of my life.