He’s Just Rolling Along WSU Bowler Reaches High Point With National Collegiate Title

Chad Dudley has finally reached the pinnacle of his college bowling career. He won the National Collegiate bowling championships in Reno, Nev., May 16.

But bowling hasn’t always been No. 1 on his list.

His mother, Patti, said that when Chad started competitive bowling “he hated it.”

“I drug him down there (to the former Sports Page bowling alley) so much,” said Patti. “I can remember when he was a Pee Wee. He told me he only bowls two games. No more.”

At that time in his life, bowling for Chad was just something to do because everyone else did.

It wasn’t until Chad was 11 that he started to enjoy competitive bowling. At that time, he was bowling with 18- and 19-year-olds … and embarrassing them on many occasions.

His mother said, “He was very, very competitive at an early age.”

During his high school years at East Valley, Chad decided to expand his sports repertoire. Baseball, wrestling and football satisfied his competitive drive in place of his bowling.

Bowling couldn’t sit on the back shelf for long, though. When Chad entered Washington State University he tried out for the bowling team. Qualifying couldn’t have gone better. He rolled a perfect game to make the team. The 300 wasn’t a one-time thing. Chad has thrown two in practice since.

After three years at WSU he has climbed his way to the top of the team by keeping his average between 204 and 220. This year during qualifying, Chad rose to the top spot on the team after qualifying rounds for nationals.

This isn’t the first time Chad has graced the trophy stand. He has traveled around the country for several collegiate tournaments and has been in contention at every stop.

Three years ago, in two tournaments, he rolled 50 games, had an average of 220 and placed 12th and second.

His college tournament experience prior to this year was a second in regionals and 14th in nationals.

Chad sees bowling as a way to keep competitive. He also says he likes “the rush when you beat somebody or throw a strike when you need it.”

He figures after college he will stay in the area and bowl in amateur tournaments.

“I’d like to go farther, but I’m not good enough to go farther yet,” he said.

So he feels if he works harder, he could achieve that goal. “It all depends on what happens in college,” he said.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo