JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WJAC) — Last weekend, many local bowlers put their skills to the test in the Western Pennsylvania Wildcard Singles, but a trio emerged at the top and those three bowlers will now be headed to the Western Pennsylvania Regional Championships.
Greater Johnstown’s Lexington Tanaka is one of three local bowlers whose high score qualified for the regional championships that will lead to the state championship.
Tanaka says it feels good for a sport that flies under the radar to get recognition.
“My sport is honestly overlooked so it feels great getting some recognition. I’m feeling really good advancing to the next level of competition, so it’s a big deal.”
Tanaka took home first place in the boys’ category, followed by Somerset Area’s Anthony Knecht.
In January, we told you about Melia Mitskavich, of DuBois Central Catholic, who boasts the highest bowling average in the nation.
Mitskavich, who happens to be friends with Tanaka, was the sole girl to make the regional championships.
Mitskavich, who plans to bowl at Jacksonville State, and Tanaka, who is planning to bowl at Saint Vincent, acknowledged the mental toughness bowling has given them.
“It’s all on you pretty much, you really don’t have a team behind you if you make a mistake,” Mitskavich said.
“It builds really strong character. A lot of it is really mental,” Tanaka added.
Tanaka says he wasn’t satisfied with his performance last year, so he’s happy he got another chance, and now has a chance to move even further in competition.
“I went last year, and I didn’t do as well as I hoped I’d do. But this year, I really brought my A game and I stuck to my game plan and here I am.”
Bowling has taken Tanaka many places, but he says this qualification is special.
“This win right now is probably one of my big ones. I’ve traveled across the country, I’ve been to Indianapolis, I’ve been to Detroit, I’ve been to some major competitions in Virginia, I’ve been all over, so traveling is nothing new. But when you go to those big tournaments and there’s ten thousand people there you feel like you’ve really made it. You have to qualify for those, and I do my best to win something and I’m always playing for myself.”
Tanaka notes that he hasn’t bowled a perfect game yet, but he’s gotten close, and he feels like his time is coming.
The Western Pennsylvania Regional Championships are in early May, with the date to be determined.
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