A year earlier, Jackie Rhoda rolled a 642 series in the Indiana high school bowling state finals to finish sixth.
This time, on Feb. 26 in Anderson, the Portage senior rolled a 643 series. But it was on a tougher lane condition, so it was good enough for the top qualifying seed as the only 600-plus series by any girl.
After she waited for two other stepladder games, Rhoda was even better in the championship against friend and conference foe Sarah Voiers of Chesterton — with five straight strikes late for a 222 game and a state title.
Rhoda also led her team to the state finals, unlike her junior year when Portage failed to advance past regional. It all leads to Rhoda earning Post-Tribune Girls Bowler of the Year.
“I went into the (state finals) knowing something great was going to happen … I just knew it,” Rhoda said. “I had so much confidence in myself that day. I had a great set and a great mark. It was all just working perfect that day. What was also impressive was how I did not let the nerves get to me at all.”
That confidence and poise will translate well to the NCAA bowling ranks as she heads to Maryland-Eastern Shore in the fall.
“She showed no nerves until she won,” Portage coach Debbie Gossett said. “She had drive and determination in that final match. You could see it in her face.”
Besides a much better finish in the state meet, Rhoda also improved several other stats from junior to senior year. Her average was four pins higher (209-205), her regular season series was higher (540-526), her high game was better (280-269), and she won a regular-season tourney title (Mystery Doubles).
She also admits state singles was much easier from a mental standpoint.
“Having my team behind me the whole day cheering me on made me so happy,” she said. “All of the support was so awesome. They also kept my mind off of things the night before. We had so much fun and didn’t let the nerves from what was to come the next day get to us.”
It also helped facing Voiers, whom Rhoda not only bowls with in the same conference in high school but also as a fellow competitor in many non-high school tournaments across the state.
“Bowling against a local friend in the finals made things a lot better for me,” Rhoda admitted. “Besides the lights and cameras, it just felt like a normal day and tournament, so that was another thing that helped the nerves stay calm. Besides one of my teammates, I wouldn’t have wanted to bowl anyone one else. I’m happy it was Sarah and I in the finals.”
Like any other player of the year in any other sport, Gossett is going to miss Rhoda, but not just because of the numbers she produced on the lanes.
“I will miss her leadership and her overall presence,” Gossett said. “She could keep the girls calm, yet fighting for every pin. Jackie could fire up the team — she led our cheer at each match — yet not let them panic if we were down.”
Johnny Gorches is a freelance writer.
