When Cumberland County Lady Jets Bowler Madison Woody first walked through the gym doors, she expected to spend her high school career dribbling down the basketball court for the Lady Jets. Instead, fate had other plans, and a bowling ball waiting for her instead.
During one of her final basketball games in eighth grade, Woody’s season came to an abrupt halt when one of the opposing players accidentally fell on her knee, sidelining her for months. The injury went on to end Woody’s season.
While rehabbing the injury, Woody began chatting with members of the Jets’ bowling coaching staff, including head coach at the time in Daniel Rickman. Woody said their stories of enthusiasm for the sport and the stories of camaraderie caught her attention.
“I went bowling with friends and family,” Woody said. “But I never knew it was a sport in high school to play and that’s when I started talking with Coach Rickman.”
Later that fall, Woody attended her first Jets bowling practice. Woody said she knew at that moment she had found her calling. Woody said for her, the transition from basketball to bowling was not just about picking up a new sport. It was about finding her voice.
“I was too nervous to talk to people and get help from them,” Woody said. “So they would encourage me to go talk to their other players to get help and they just really helped me get out of my bubble and be able to communicate.”
Now in her junior year at Cumberland County, Woody continues to build up her confidence. She has also seen improvement in her game, with her average increasing each year since joining the team. Woody said she is working on ways on cheer on new bowlers and even recruiting friends to join.
“Last year, I definitely felt I could do that,” Woody said. “I felt I could help the new people and cheering everybody on and making up new cheers.”
Among those Woody encouraged was her friend Lilly Lewis, who joined the team after Woody’s sophomore season. The two opened their second season competitively bowling for the Jets earlier in October.
