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Lefty wonder Miller powers bowling success

BY RYAN SCHUETTE
news@theballstonjournal.com

In school, Franklin Miller is just an ordinary shy kid who gets good grades and is polite to everybody. But as soon as he steps onto the lanes he becomes the fierce competitor that carries the Ballston Spa bowling team and strikes fear into the hearts of teams that visit the Ballston Lanes.

The senior lefty is as modest as they come. “I don’t try to be competitive like that,” Miller said, “but once the game starts moving and I get into it, there is no greater feeling.” Over his career, Miller’s highest game is 280, with his average hovering around 230 this season. His highest score for three games (a series) is 700.

“The best feeling in bowling is when you have several strikes in a row, there’s no other feeling like it,” said Miller. “It really gives you a high score and it’s tons of fun to get all of those strikes.”

But Miller doesn’t really get caught up in his own accomplishments. “The best moment in my bowling career is our first win this year,” he said, “because it wasn’t only our first win this year, it was our first win in the four years I’ve been on varsity, so it really felt great.” The team has a much higher success rate this year than in the past, finishing fifth in a ten team tournament at the beginning of the year.

“The team this season is much stronger than it has been recently in the past,” Miller said. “Right now we are 5-6, and this year was our first varsity win since I was a freshman.”

“The team is also much more committed than it has been in the past,” he said. “We have multiple bowlers who bowl every single day.”

As the sectional tournament approaches, the Scotties remain hopeful they can ride the Lefty Wonder through the sectionals to gain their first post-season victory. “This year we have the potential to win many of our remaining matches and do well in sectionals as well,” Miller said. “We also have a great coach who has helped us a lot to become better bowlers and become a more competitive team.” The team and the town are looking to Miller to carry Ballston bowling to glory, and help establish continuing success in the athletic programs.

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