Bowling One-On-One with Ashtyn Woods: Taking the World by Storm
The 2023-24 collegiate bowling season is entering the postseason, with the ITC Sectionals taking place Mar. 9-10. For Wichita State freshman Ashtyn Woods, this is only the beginning of a limitless future.
Yet Woods did not get to where she is overnight; she started bowling at just ten years old, the age when the sport got serious for her. Her biggest inspiration, who also brought bowling into her life, is her father, Curtis Woods, who bowled on tour from 1999-2005.
“He has always been my coach and he has basically taught me everything I need to know. My dad has always pushed me to be my best whenever the work got hard,” Woods explained. “Him and I have always had a bumpy road growing up with bowling, but I’m happy he stuck around and dealt with my shenanigans longer.”
With the progression of her game and mentality, Woods had several accomplishments with the sport before she graduated high school.
She took 8th place for the U12 division at the 2018 Junior Gold Championships and 16th place for U18 in 2022.
Woods ended up making her first appearance at the Team USA Trials in 2022, as the age minimum had changed. Going in with zero expectations, she left the tournament as a Junior Team USA member.
Junior Team USA was a turning point for Woods, whose perspective on the sport and herself changed with adjusted practices, new daily routines, and growing confidence.
This would be the first of three consecutive years on Junior Team USA for Woods, who maintained her spot this past January in Las Vegas.
Credit: Ashtyn Woods
“Team Trials is such a grueling and demanding week, that, really, the only thing that matters is showing up when it counts and really showing up for yourself. You can’t get in your own way. If you do, there’s no finding a way out,” Woods commented.
Woods is also currently on Team Storm, for the second year, through the Storm United States Bowling Ambassador Program, or SUSBA. This is a program for student-athletes to work together and help the growth of the sport they love.
Youth success would lead to one of the hardest decisions Woods has ever made: where to continue her collegiate bowling and academic career.
“I [attended the] Shocker camp in 2022 and I immediately fell in love with the atmosphere. The intensity and desire to learn [was] so alive and I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” Woods said. Her visits to Wichita State’s campus and the competitive environment solidified her final decision.
Woods has had an incredible freshman debut, with several team and individual accomplishments this season. So far, her ATT awards include 4th place at the Glenn Carlson, 4th place at SWIBC, and 4th place at the Hoosier.
Credit: Ashtyn Woods
The 2024 Hoosier took place Feb. 10-11, being one of the final tournaments before postseason. The Hoosier uses three different oil patterns: one Saturday, one Sunday, and one for matchplay. In a field of 66 teams, the Wichita State women were able to grab a first place win at one of the toughest Tier-1 events of the year.
Woods feels like this team has grown immensely from where they were months ago.
“Our games are better, our minds are more open, and all we do is listen to each other, assess, and compromise on our differences. [We] go out on the lanes being our best selves. [The] Hoosier was a great representation of that,” Woods explained.
Going into sectionals, Woods has faith that the women will continue being their best selves to secure their spot for nationals.
Her main goal for this season is to win the Helmer Cup at ITC Nationals in April.
“These girls are special. These girls are my sisters. To win with these girls is something incredibly special, but to win ITCs would be something more than that,” Woods said.
The work does not stop with the conclusion of this season. Woods already has goals in mind for her sophomore year, starting with getting to know herself better.
“I want to be better for my teammates and coaches, so I can be the best teammate I can be,” Woods added.
Credit: Ashtyn Woods
She believes her mind and adrenaline are the most important parts of her game. Both are things that she tries to constantly improve.
Alongside future career goals to be a teacher and open a learning center for kids, Woods plans to take on PWBA competition. She dreams of “becoming the best.” With the drive Woods has, she will continue to be a dominant force on the lanes.
“My love for the game will continue to be the same, but my way of doing things in the sport will constantly change every single day. And I’m truly grateful for that,” Woods closed.
The Bowling One-On-One team wishes Ashtyn and the Wichita team luck this upcoming weekend at sectionals and well wishes for the rest of the season!
*Feature Image Credit: Kimberly Power-DeFer
