AUBURN #- At 22 years old, Sara Chalupnicki, who comes form an avid bowling family, began her career at the age of 6.
“My father, Rick, really got me into it,” Chalupnicki said. “He got me going and really is the one that taught me everything. Most of my uncles bowl, too, so when I was 6 I started with the bantams and just always loved it.”
Chalupnicki said she took a brief hiatus from the game from the time she was 12 until she was about 14, but by then found that she was ready to resume her career, wracking up some impressive accomplishments in the junior ranks, particularly her two wins in the Junior Masters in 2001 and 2003.
“That felt pretty good,” Chalupnicki said. “To win it twice was a really good feeling.”
After her 2003 win, Chalupnicki decided it was time to move into the adult leagues and make a bid for the Masters, which was an exciting, but slightly intimidating experience.
“I kind of felt like a little kid,” Chalupnicki said. “I was the younger one with all these older people, I think I was the youngest one bowling, so it was a little strange.”
Last year, Chalupnicki took some time off from league bowling, but still made a go of the Masters, qualifying and making it through the first few rounds.
But this season she has come back strong, bowling regularly in two leagues and building up her game.
“I've been able to bowl a lot more,” Chalupnicki said. “That has made me a lot more confident. I love to bowl; I would bowl every day if my arm would take it, and if I could. I love the game and this year I've been bowling a lot more, getting more confident and getting better.”
Every night, Chalupnicki sets some pretty high standards for herself that she expects to meet on a regular basis.
“I expect to get at least 600,” Chalupnicki said. “That is the goal that I set for myself. It doesn't always happen, but it is what I try for. I have a better average this year. It is around 190 in both leagues, I want to get it up to 200, and I know I will eventually. That is one of my big goals right now.”
Right before qualifiers, Chalupnicki hit another milestone, with her first 700 series, rolling a 764 at the Polish Falcons.
“That was really great,” Chalupnicki said. “That was the first time I've ever done that. I had a 289 in my last game, so that was really nice.”
With her accomplishments and increasing confidence, Chalupnicki has become increasingly comfortable with her fellow competitors.
“Everybody pretty much knows everyone else,” Chalupnicki said. “And now they know who I am and that I can bowl pretty decently. I am much more comfortable this year with all the other bowlers than I was before.”
The high standards that Chalupnicki expects from herself on any given night will not waver in the Masters, as she sets her sights squarely on her goal to do better this year than in her previous appearances.
“I want to at least make the final eight,” Chalupnicki said. “That is really my big goal this year. I want to win of course, but if I can at least make the final eight that would be nice.”
Chalupnicki said she took a brief hiatus from the game from the time she was 12 until she was about 14, but by then found that she was ready to resume her career, wracking up some impressive accomplishments in the junior ranks, particularly her two wins in the Junior Masters in 2001 and 2003.
“That felt pretty good,” Chalupnicki said. “To win it twice was a really good feeling.”
After her 2003 win, Chalupnicki decided it was time to move into the adult leagues and make a bid for the Masters, which was an exciting, but slightly intimidating experience.
“I kind of felt like a little kid,” Chalupnicki said. “I was the younger one with all these older people, I think I was the youngest one bowling, so it was a little strange.”
Last year, Chalupnicki took some time off from league bowling, but still made a go of the Masters, qualifying and making it through the first few rounds.
But this season she has come back strong, bowling regularly in two leagues and building up her game.
“I've been able to bowl a lot more,” Chalupnicki said. “That has made me a lot more confident. I love to bowl; I would bowl every day if my arm would take it, and if I could. I love the game and this year I've been bowling a lot more, getting more confident and getting better.”
Every night, Chalupnicki sets some pretty high standards for herself that she expects to meet on a regular basis.
“I expect to get at least 600,” Chalupnicki said. “That is the goal that I set for myself. It doesn't always happen, but it is what I try for. I have a better average this year. It is around 190 in both leagues, I want to get it up to 200, and I know I will eventually. That is one of my big goals right now.”
Right before qualifiers, Chalupnicki hit another milestone, with her first 700 series, rolling a 764 at the Polish Falcons.
“That was really great,” Chalupnicki said. “That was the first time I've ever done that. I had a 289 in my last game, so that was really nice.”
With her accomplishments and increasing confidence, Chalupnicki has become increasingly comfortable with her fellow competitors.
“Everybody pretty much knows everyone else,” Chalupnicki said. “And now they know who I am and that I can bowl pretty decently. I am much more comfortable this year with all the other bowlers than I was before.”
The high standards that Chalupnicki expects from herself on any given night will not waver in the Masters, as she sets her sights squarely on her goal to do better this year than in her previous appearances.
“I want to at least make the final eight,” Chalupnicki said. “That is really my big goal this year. I want to win of course, but if I can at least make the final eight that would be nice.”
The Citizens' Say
There are No comments posted.