Whoosh, crash! This is the sound that every bowler has come to love and appreciate when they release their ball with great technique and watch it glide down the lane into the pins with a perfect explosion, leaving the rack empty. It is a sound that Ashley Bensur has come to know and love very well. However, like all great bowlers, Bensur started out as a beginner.
In 2012, Bensur started her journey in bowling when her aunt and uncle got her a yellow, pink, and green, six pound bowling ball for Christmas. Since then, she got to work on being the best bowler she could be. When asked about her first steps, Bensur stated, “First, I have surrounded myself with the people that I know can help me improve in bowling and in life.” To add on, she describes how her family, coaches, and friends are her cheerleaders and are constantly striving to help her improve while giving suggestions. This first step would prove to be crucial as Bensur has attained many great achievements as a bowler.
Just to note a few, Bensur has won multiple plaques, trophies, medals, and scholarships because of her great bowling. Recently, she led Hempfield’s Girls team to win the WCCA Championship for the 2nd year in a row. She also secured 1st place as county champion in the girls division. In addition to her going to states for the individual group, Bensur and Hempfield’s Girls Varsity Bowling Team made it to states, last year. That being said, her greatest accomplishment came on February 2, 2024 when she bowled her first 300, a perfect game!
However, with all of these great feats made, challenges and obstacles were inevitable. As Bensur put it, “I think that the most challenging thing I overcome every time I bowl is the pressure. People really don’t think of bowling as a sport where it could get really competitive. It takes a lot of mental preparation and practice to do well as I want to.” To combat this tremendous amount of pressure, Bensur listens to music to get her head in the game, as well as, taking a breath before throwing each ball. From a different perspective, pressure has taught her the valuable lesson of concentration, a useful skill when it comes to bowling in high school.
Whether it was a decisive spare and strike made in a match, or a defeat to a tough opponent, she has seen it all.The highlight of Bensur’s time so far on the team has been the relationships she’s built with others. “When I joined the team freshman year, I only knew 2 people on the team. Now as a junior, I have made more friends on the girls team, the boys team, bowling alumni, and competitor teams.”
As senior year approaches, Bensur has had to make many decisions about her future. And, bowling is no exception. She has expressed how much she would love to participate in collegiate bowling after high school; unfortunately, the college Bensur plans on attending does not have a bowling team. This is a bittersweet outcome. However, she still plans on bowling in her free time no matter where her future takes her.