Grafton Teen Bowls Them Over at States

Forrest Smith placed 15th among all state bowlers yesterday, less than a year after Grafton High School formed its bowling team.

His finish put him near the top third of the 42 high school bowlers who competed in Pittsfield.

"He's our star bowler,'' said Celia Thurber, the high school nurse and bowling team advisor.

Smith has been bowling since his childhood in New Jersey. When he and his family moved to Grafton in 2008, he considered starting a bowling team. So when he heard that Grafton High was forming a bowling team this year, he was a natural fit.

The left-hander has a 206 average. Experience in the lanes makes all the difference, he said.

"You've got to bowl for a big amount'' of time, he said. "You've really got to give it your all and do your best.''

Although Smith may be the standout, Thurber is proud of the entire team. Although they struggled this season, all the youngsters improved through the season, she said.

Most importantly, she said, they encouraged each other and were supportive teammates. In that sense, she said, "we had an excellent year.''

Support from the Worcester County Bowling Congress and AMF Auburn, where area teams practice, has allowed the youngsters to bowl for free.

The congress got involved to in order to encourage young people to return to the bowling lanes, said Worcester County bowling congress president Henry Verdini. 

"Kids today have so many things to do,'' including such sports as soccer that were not as popular a generation ago, he said. "Without the kids, we don't have adults to bowl.''