Union College has notified both Monticello bowlers that they
will receive bowling scholarships and the college head bowling coach Brad Piper
stated "with both of these students along with others in this years recruiting
class I believe that we will have a real shot at winning nationals next
year."
High praise of Durland and Walsh, who presently compete in
United States Bowling Congress (USBC) men's and mixed leagues at Kiamesha
Lanes, also comes from their Saturday Morning Youth league coach Mal Press who
met the boys some four years ago and started offering instructions on "angel of
entry into the pocket, hand position, lack of tork on the ball at release, and
subtle changes in their lines to the pocket."
Press, a highly respected bowler and coach is listed as "one
of the better coaches" by the New York State USBC Association and when
approached by Brad Piper asking if Mal had any young men special enough to join
his program. Mal became one of the biggest college recruiters in the country and
was a line officer and a board member with the New York City USBC Association.
At the age of 70 Press bowls in eight leagues, is a certified lane inspector and
averages in the 190's.
Both Walsh and Durland's names were offered to the Kentucky
coach and on December 10 of last year the boys journeyed south for
tryouts.
The tryouts skills test showed very clearly that coach Press
had indeed helped develop two outstanding young bowlers as both Durland and
Walsh recorded the top two scores of anyone that has taken the skills
test.
Durland scored the highest score of any recruit with an 875
out of a possible 100 and Walsh the second highest score with a
772.
Coach Piper when asked what his forecast about the future of
his college team would be with Walsh and Durland as members said he could see
them "battling for a national championship next year with Eddie and James
battling for rookie/bowler of the year in the nation."
In discussing the Union College scholarship offer James
said, "we should both be getting about a half scholarship but that can go up
next year based on performance." He added that "I finished second in a recent
college "Bulldog scholarship tournament and won an additional $12,000 ($3,000)
a year scholarship.
Coach Press added that "knowing the abilities of all the
boys it makes me a proud coach and they'll be nationally recognized without
question."
Twenty-year-old Eddie Walsh has been bowling for some 13
years and came up through the ranks of the Saturday Morning Youth leagues at
Kiamesha Lanes.
Presently a 200 plus average bowler he has scored several
perfect 300 games, the first one coming while bowling in the Jr./Major Saturday
morning youth league. A 2009 graduate of Monticello Central School, he is single
and employed by KIamesha Lanes and Thompson Sanitation.
James Durland, 19, a 2010 graduate of Monticello Central
School, has been bowling for some 14 years, 13 years in the youth
league.
A 200 plus average bowler Durland is presently employed at
the Pep Boys distribution center in Chester.
As to his future in the sport of bowling James said, "I do
look forward to going further with college bowling," and "the team should have
the firepower to compete nationally next year."
Durland added that "I'd like to see how I compete on a big
collegiate stage before I think about bowling professionally."
Union College Bulldogs head coach Brad Piper is completing
his second season, making him the second person to take the helm since the
program was revitalized in 2008. He is a Bronze Level USBC coach.
Union College has a long and rich history in athletics and
offers 21 different intercollegiate athletic programs. They are a member of the
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Association and a member of
the Appalachian Athletic Conference and the Mid-South Conference in football
only.
Identification of photos from top to bottom. Union College bound Freshman bowlers, l to r, Eddie Walsh and James Durland, Union College Coach Brad Piper and Local USBC Coach Mal Press.
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