By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— As bowling continues to grow in popularity as a high school sport in Alabama, Pelham High School has jumped on the opportunity and formed two teams of its own.

Coach William Robinson, who also coaches Volleyball at Pelham, has taken on the new responsibility as head coach and said it’s been a learning process for both him and the athletes.

“I think it’s been a good experience for the athletes because its something different, it’s something new,” Robinson said. “It’s such a low-key deal, but when you go to the bowling alley and there are other teams screaming and yelling excited about a good score, it’s kind of contagious.”

Pelham has a boys team made up of six members and a girls team made up of 10. Experience varies from person to person, but Robinson said everyone seems to be having a good time.

The girls are 2-1, and are led by Morgan Mullinax, who has more experience than most of the other players. She’s participated in many activities at Oak Mountain Lanes in Pelham, and Robinson said she bowled a 207 her first game.

“She has the most experience, she is our most consistent and our highest scoring (player),” Robinson said.

Dalton Merrill, Carly Edinger and Lexi Johnson all play softball, and Robinson said they have bowled well. He also brought some of his volleyball players— Emma Hammett, Jordan Stephens and Kaytlyn Maddox— who are willing to learn the game as well.

Other members of the girls team consist of Brianna Harrison, Karleanna Abshire and Keyanna Moore.

Craig Cambron and Tyler Barnett were the first boys to join the team and were followed by Jarrett and Dakota McLaren, Caleb Boutwell and Carlos Martinez. Currently, the team is 1-1, and Robinson said Barnett is the highest scoring player.

Robinson said one of the most important things is that all the teammates get along and seem to have a good time together.

Getting the new sport together was challenging, according to Robinson, but he said he looks forward to seeing what the teams will do the rest of the year. He plans to continue coaching the sport, and there are also plans to expand the program to the middle school level.

“I think the first year bumps will lead to better stuff later,” Robinson said. “We are just trying to take notes, be ready for next year…the sport is really taking off in the state and we would like to be right there along with it and keep going.”