ROCKINGHAM — Colin Wheeler, a senior bowler, has been named the Official Richmond County Male Athlete of the Week presented by HWY 55.
The Richmond boys’ bowling team had a busy end of the week, finishing in the top four of both the Sandhills Athletic Conference championship and the state championship meet.
Wheeler’s efforts in the team competition, as well as earning All-Conference and All-State in the singles bracket, earned him his first career recognition.
Athletic Profile
Age: 18
Birthday: Aug. 23, 2003
Year: Senior
Winter Sport: Bowling
Years on Varsity: 2 years
BOWLING STRIKES WITH COLIN WHEELER
The Raiders and Wheeler bowled on back-to-back days last Thursday and Friday to close their season.
In the Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament, Richmond earned fourth overall as a team and Wheeler was the lone state qualifier with a seventh-place mark in the singles championship.
Of Richmond’s eight competitors, Wheeler’s three-game score of 523 pins made him the only Raider to finish in the top 10. He had individual game scores of 175, 181 and 167, which allowed him to also qualify for the singles state tournament.
The Raiders had an “off day” according to head coach Ralph Butler, but managed to finish fourth to qualify for states. Richmond lost to top-seeded Scotland 161-154 and Wheeler added a spare in one of his two frames in the match.
A quick turnaround saw the team travel to Planet Fun on Friday in Shallotte and continue to impress in the state championship.
Bowling four games to determine the team tournament seeding, the Raiders finished with scores of 189, 184, 131 and 189 to finish with a total of 693 pins. That was good enough to earn Richmond the No. 1 seed.
Wheeler had three strikes and three spares across those four games, which put the Raiders in the semifinals against No. 4 Scotland. Unfortunately for the team, Richmond lost 218-151. In that single-elimination match, Wheeler bowled one strike in his two frames.
Following the team competition, Wheeler impressed with a fifth-place finish in the singles championship. He had a combined score of 581 pins, with two games over the 200-pin mark. Wheeler just missed the championship roll-off by 18 pins.
Colin Wheeler bowls during the SAC singles championship in Aberdeen last Thursday. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
RAPID RESPONSES WITH COLIN WHEELER
ROSports: The team was successful with two top-four finishes last week. What allowed you and the Raiders to be successful?
Wheeler: “We had good chemistry, and we had a lot of fun this season. We were really happy and excited to be there and that helped us out. If you’re having fun, you’re eventually going to do well. The five guys who bowled are all solid bowlers, and our energy carried over.
“For me, I just figured out the oil pattern and knew which arrows to hit. When I did that, I was able to figure out the speed and made small adjustments. I was also super nervous and that actually played to my advantage, which allowed me to bowl the best I ever have.”
ROSports: Describe the style of bowler you are and what your approach is to each frame.
Wheeler: “I can hook it pretty good and I come through with one hand. A lot of people think I use two hands, but I only do that for my approach. I also don’t use my thumb, which is odd for most bowlers.
“I’m a strategic bowler. I like to get to my spot, get to where I can throw it at a good comfortable speed to hook it into the pocket for good pin action. What I think about depends on the oil pattern, and when I get a feel for it, I always start to the right behind the first and second arrow. I’m just looking for an easy hook into the pocket.”
ROSports: You were the only Raider to make All-Conference and All-State. What does that mean to you to end your bowling career with those two accomplishments?
Wheeler: “I really surprised myself, and I didnt’ think I’d do that well. I bowled some of the best series I’ve ever bowled and I’m really happy about that. I’m glad to have ended my bowling career on a high note and I wish I had another season.”
The Richmond Observer will publish two more Official Richmond County Athletes of the Week next week.
