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Ten pins were all that stood in the way of Michelle Thomas and her bowling ball.
The 16-year-old Lanham resident rolled her ball down the lane at AMF Capitol Plaza Bowling Center in Hyattsville and hit every single pin to score yet another strike.
Thomas joined several other teens — and some adults — on Sunday to get a few pointers from champion pro bowler Kim Terrell-Kearney.
"Your swinging is so good, and your rotation is good. Make sure you tuck in that elbow. Don't hesitate, just let the ball drop," said Terrell-Kearney as she guided Thomas down the lane.
Teens not only learned how to perfect their game, but how to gain bowling scholarships for college.
"Once she heard that you can actually get money, her eyes lit up," said Thomas' step-dad, Kenneth Solomon Jr.
According to the United States Bowling Conference Web site, www.bowl.com, 43 colleges offer the sport. Like many scholarships, criteria depend on academics and performance on the lane.
Terrell-Kearney, a collegiate spokeswoman for USBC and second-year bowling coach for Delaware State University, led her team to the runner-up position during the 2008
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament, the highest finish in team history.
"I talked to kids here that were interested in competing at a college level, and I explained the differences between college bowling and youth bowling," she said.
While the number of schools that offer bowling is growing, "the caliber of players is becoming stronger," she said.
The 43-year-old California native started bowling when she was 8. She later went on to bowl for San Jose University. She has won nine PWBA titles and has a high score of 300.
History was made after she won her second U.S. Women's Open title and her third career major title. According to the Professional Bowlers Association, only a few black women and one black man have won professional bowling titles.
"This is a major sport for women now. Women are becoming increasingly recognized," said Gary Parsons, co-owner of World Class Pro Shops at AMF.
Parsons met Terrell-Kearney about five years ago at AMF and asked her if she wanted to coach teens.
"This is like a second home for me. This is a comfortable and easy place to be so I enjoy it," said Terrell-Kearney.
As for Thomas, it was just two months ago that she picked up a bowling ball.
"My friends bowl, and they got me to bowl in a Saturday league. So far, I like it," she said.
She also said it will be hard implementing the advice Terrell-Kearney offered, but "with practice, anything is possible. This could lead to me being on TV."
