AOTC: Tipp senior bowler Jocelyn Gold ready for her best season

Ed Note: This week, the Tippecanoe female athlete featured for the Gazette Spotlight is bowler Jocelyn Gold.

Growing up, Jocelyn Gold always loved to bowl, and when she reached her freshman year at Tippecanoe, she decided to give it a try. After three years of bowling for the Red Devils, she looks back with a lot of positive memories.

“When I was young, I always enjoyed bowling for fun with my family, and when I became a freshman in high school, one of my cousins suggested bowling as a good option for me. My parents later encouraged me to try out for the team,” Gold said. “What made me really start liking the sport was the sense of community within the team, as well as the personal challenge of improving my skills and constantly aiming for a higher score. Over time, the joy and excitement I would feel when competing kept me passionate about bowling.”

Gold was asked about some of her memories from her time with the Red Devils, and it didn’t take her long to reflect on bowling one of the best games against the league rivals from the north.

“My most memorable moment was the day I rolled a 197 against Troy, who are all exceptional bowlers, and my nerves were completely shot,” she said. “Being a captain, I still had to encourage the team, and myself, to try our best, even if we knew we would lose. Even with all the pressure and the disappointment of not taking home the win, I still did really well for myself and am really proud of that accomplishment.”

“Another incredibly memorable moment was Baker Bash. At Baker Bash, you have to work as a team. For each game, you have five girls bowling twice in the 10 frames, resulting in them each bowling two frames. Girl 1 bowls frames 1 and 6, girl 2 bowls frames 2 and 7, and so on. It was memorable to me because it truly highlighted the essence of teamwork.”

“Our team had to communicate effectively, strategize, and support each other through each frame. Each player's performance directly impacted the next, creating a strong sense of collective responsibility. The effort and thrill of seeing combined skills culminate in many successful games made Baker Bash an unforgettable experience.”

One of the biggest things that Tipp deals with is getting a large number of bowlers interested in the sport. Gold makes her pitch to her classmates who may be thinking about giving bowling a try.

“I would tell them about the blend of personal growth that comes with the sport,” she said. “Bowling is a fantastic way to build lasting friendships and develop teamwork skills, while simultaneously having a great time. Whether you grew up bowling or are a complete beginner, there's always room to learn and improve.”

“During practice, we aren't just perfecting our throws but also creating memorable experiences together. My advice is to please come with an open mind and willingness to learn. Bowling is not just about the scores but the effort you put in. Being a part of the Red Devils means being a part of a group that supports and cheers for each other, on and off the lanes.”

The Tipp senior is preparing for what she hopes is her best season to date as she steps onto the lanes at RollHouse in Huber Heights.

“One of the main things I have done this summer to ensure I return with the skills I gained during the season is a youth scholarship league,” she said. “For me it wasn't so much the scores I put up, but the chance to practice and improve in an environment that I would constantly be under pressure in.”

“I’ve been able to work on patience with bowling and have been a lot more conscious of the way I set up each throw. Once that league was over I just had fun with my friends. I got to experience bowling as a game again instead of a competition. Occasionally having fun does not diminish your abilities, it only makes the sport more enjoyable! As my summer has gotten busier and I have less time to bowl I still try to get in a couple of games of serious practice every now and then to make sure I am still holding on to the things I've been taught.”

Gold looks to improve her average by focusing on consistency and accuracy and dealing with the mental aspects and pressures of the game.