Lyons senior bowler Colin Temple has been very receptive to advice, since he didn’t start bowling competitively until two years ago.
No one has helped him more than senior teammate Jack McGuinn.
“Jack is so helpful and like my coach,” Temple said. “He gives me pointers all the time and tells me the equipment I should use. He can quickly point out something wrong and help me with my technique.”
The mentoring paid off as Temple and McGuinn helped the Lions place 16th at the state tournament Friday and Saturday, Jan. 29-30 at St. Clair Bowl in O’Fallon.
While Lyons fell short of advancing to the second day of the tourney, McGuinn and Temple both moved on. McGuinn finished eighth with a 12-game average of 232, while Temple placed 67th with a 204 average.
“It was definitely a gratifying experience knowing I earned the right to be there,” Temple said. “I worked so hard to be able to bowl at the state championships. I’m very surprised by my recent success. I pretty much owe it all to Jack.
“It was fun to be among the best bowlers in the state. It was good to make it to the last day of the season and be right there in the hunt.”
Senior Garrett Ariana and sophomores Marco Garcia and Otto Meccia bowled six games for the Lions, while seniors Thomas Brasse, Raleigh Arriaga and Kyle Bell were part of the state team but did not bowl.
McGuinn and Temple often bowled together on the weekends.
“Jack always tells me to keep a level head and stay positive,” Temple said. “When I get down on myself it never ends up well. He tells me to not think about it. He’s a good leader.
“You have to be consistent in everything you do and stay focused. You’re going to throw bad shots and you can’t let that get you down because you still have a lot of bowling left.”
McGuinn was glad to have his friend bowl with him on the second day.
“It was cool having him advance,” McGuinn said. “I definitely knew he had the skills to do it and I’m proud he was able to do it with me.”
McGuinn, who this season bowled the first 300 game in program history, was making his second state appearance. He was on Lyons’ state team as a sophomore, but did not compete.
“Although I went as a sophomore, it’s not fun when you don’t bowl,” McGuinn said. “People ask how I did and I say I didn’t play.
“It was a privilege to represent Lyons Township at state. It’s a great feeling saying I bowled at the state competition. Not many people can say they did that.”
McGuinn said he did pick up some pointers at state two years ago.
“It helped because I acclimated myself to the surroundings and emotionally,” McGuinn said. “It’s grueling bowling 12 games in two days and pays a toll on guys. You have to have perseverance and that’s something I learned the first time I was there.
“I thought I could do better, but overall it was not too bad considering I’ve only been bowling four years and most of the other guys have been bowling their whole lives.”
Ken Ryan is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
