Bette Addington: Brandon Trudel is latest GEUSBC scholarship recipient
| Monday, Aug 30 2010 09:18 PM
Last Updated Monday, Aug 30 2010 09:53 PM
Images
Brandon Trudel
Brandon Trudel is not shy about telling people that bowling "is his sport" and a sport he has grown to love for the last eight years. Not only that, he bowls a unique style -- he uses both hands when releasing the ball. This style of bowling has caught a lot of attention the last couple of years -- pro bowler Jason Belmonte bowls two-handed -- but Trudel is quick to add that he was doing this style "before it was cool"!
And, this style has worked well for him as he logged many awards over the past six years bowling in local and state bowling tournaments -- 1st in local Traveling Tournament in 2004; 1st in Doubles event in local Youth City in 2006; 1st in local Traveling Tournament Doubles in 2006; 1st in Singles & All Events in local Youth City in 2007; and, was the Division Champion in the BVL (Bowlers to Veteran's Link) Tournament in 2008. His highest State finish was 2nd in the Doubles event in the State Tournament in 2009.
Trudel wanted to emphasize that bowling offers youth bowlers a chance to earn college scholarship money by placing in tournaments.
Trudel, 18, graduated from Centennial High School in June. He was the sole recipient of the 2010 Golden Empire United States Bowling Congress $1,000 scholarship. To qualify for this honor, he not only had to be involved with the local youth bowling program for a number of years, but had to carry the needed GPA.
His career bowling highlights include a high game of 279 and a high series of 757. His favorite brand/type of bowling balls is the Brunswick Danger Zone ball, which he has been bowling with for the past several years. Trudel says the highlight of his career so far was picking up the 7-10 split during the first week of bowling on the 2008-09 season. He has been bowling as a youth in the AMF Southwest Lanes youth leagues, where he served as League VP in 2008 and as league president in 2009. Trudel says that the thing he enjoys the most about bowling is "getting together with friends, improving my game and the competitiveness of the sport."
Besides serving as an officer for his youth bowling league on Saturdays, Trudel also finds time to serve as a youth director for GEUSBC, as well as serving on the Don Glover Tournament Committee.
His Dad, Tom Trudel, got Brandon interested in bowling back when he was just six years old by taking him bowling every Sunday when they lived in Texas. Brandon's younger brother, Mark, also is an active bowler who also follows his brother's two-handed style.
Trudel's high school years also had some memorable feats. Besides keeping his GPA up, he also found time to be on the We The People debate team and his team won the local competition this past year and traveled to Sacramento to compete. Since graduation, he plans to continue to be involved with this by being a We The People unit coach. Other hobbies include video games, following political news, hanging out with friends and attending Condors games.
Trudel will continue his education at Cal State Bakersfield, where his major is computer science and his minor is political science. He says "bowling will continue to be a part of my life" and his ambition to start a bowling team at CSUB.
YOUNG GUNS JOINING THE ADULT RANKS
Every season we see new faces as the Winter leagues hit the floor, some young and some older just returning after a break in the game.
The 2010-2011 winter season should be one of fun and change as some of our younger youth bowlers will be moving up to the adult leagues this season. The Tuesday Men's league at Regency will see this fun change as some of our younger bowlers-Patrick Smith, Jimmy Hefley and Kelsey Curtis-are signed up to bowl. What better fun than watching our next generation of adult bowlers hit the lanes for the first time, some bowling with their parents and some choosing to try and beat their parents on another team!
It seems like just yesterday (1979-80-81?) as then-junior bowler Randy Page, bowling on his first night as an adult, fired a 300 game at the Bakersfield Bowling Academy in the Monday Night Men's league. What a thrill that day as his father, John Page, Bud Hannaman, Don "EZ" Sandstrom, and many other adults as well as fellow junior bowlers watched this amazing first night action at the old BBA on Golden State Highway. Thirty years later, maybe local hall of famer Page will shoot another 300 on opening night in the Tuesday Men's at Regency Lanes!?!
DIZ FRANCISCO WINS LATEST GLOVER HOUSE SPOT ROLL-OFF
Twelve bowlers competed for the one paid spot in the Don Glover Masters Scratch Tournament that is set for the weekend of Sept. 25-26 at AMF Southwest Lanes. The August Glover House Spot Roll-Off took place Aug. 28 at AMF Southwest Lanes.
Two youth bowlers participated-Gary Smith and Mark Trudel. Diz Francisco came out on top of the competition with a score of 1168, five pins ahead of second place finisher Jim Zimmerman.
Side pot winners were: 1st game - Jim Zimmerman (214); 2nd game - Diz Francisco (224); 3rd game - Jim Zimmerman (206); 4th game - Eric Grider (237); 5th game - Warren Williams (207); and a tie for 6th game - Jim Zimmerman & Warren Williams (200).
There is one House Spot Roll-Off remaining, Sept. 18, at 2 p.m., at AMF Southwest Lanes, where at least two paid spots will be awarded. For information on the Glover Masters, contact Tom Smith at (661) 333-0562.
WINTER LEAGUE MEETINGS SCHEDULED BEFORE YOUR FIRST DAY OF BOWLING
Whether you are a team captain, league officer or a team member, you need to attend your league meeting. Most league meetings are scheduled about 45 minutes before your first day or night of league play. League meeting schedules are available at all local centers so drop by and see when your league meeting will take place.
Not only are your league rules discussed, but the price you will be paying to bowl each week will be voted on as well as who your league officers will be. This is the time everyone on the league has a voice in how this season will be run. If you don't go to the meeting, then don't complain if you don't like the way things are when you start the league.
On a positive note, the league sanction/certification cards did not go up and still are $17 for both adult and youth bowlers this season and this fee must be paid the first day of your league play.
BOWLING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Sept. 10: CUSBC (California United States Bowling Congress) Masters Last Chance Qualifier, 7 p.m., AMF Southwest Lanes.
Sept. 11-12: CUSBC Masters Tournament, AMF Southwest Lanes.
Sept. 18: Glover House Spot Roll-Off, 2 p.m., AMF Southwest Lanes.
Sept. 25-26: 4th annual Don Glover Masters Scratch Tournament, AMF Southwest Lanes. For information, contact Tom Smith at (661) 333-0562, or log on to www.geusbc.org.
