Bowling One-On-One with Kerry Smith: Three-Time PWBA Regional Champion
It requires training, skills and ability, let alone love, passion and dedication to be a champion. It takes even more to share the knowledge and to teach others how to reach their highest potential. Fresh off winning the PWBA Regional Showdown in Orlando, FL. late in 2023, Kerry Smith is at the top of her game. If you have been fortunate to watch Kerry perform on the lanes in competition, you know she absolutely Brings It! The competition knows they have to bring their ‘A’ game when competing against Kerry Smith. I had the privilege of connecting with Kerry and I asked her about her bowling journey.
Talk about your first exposure with bowling and how you got started in the sport. When was the moment when you realized that bowling would become a special part in your life?
“I was exposed to the sport at a very young age. My dad was a very avid bowler, my mom bowled in a league, my grandparents, aunts, and uncles all bowled so I was always around it. I started bowling around the age of 5 and I never wanted to use the bumpers because the people I watched never used them, so I never did. I used to travel around with my dad when he bowled and would sit intently watching everyone bowl. When I was younger, I was a very shy kid and didn’t really like all the attention on me as I became better at the sport. Once I got to around 11 or 12, I realized that I was getting pretty good and just wanted to learn so much about bowling. I started bowling tournaments, practicing all the time and just fell in love with the sport.”
You joined the PWBA in 2015. You won your first regional title in 2022, the PWBA Twin Cities Regional in Eagan, Minn., outlasting Felicia Wong 233-213 in the final match. This past year you added your second and third regional titles; in July, you won the 2023 PWBA Greater Pittsburgh Regional, beating Summer Jasmin 255-226 in the final and just a month ago you won the PWBA Regional Showdown in Orlando, FL. defeating a tough competitor in Gazmine Mason 203-183. The latest title victory comes with the added bonus of having your entry fees waived for all 2024 PWBA National Tour singles events. Very nice!
You’ve been on a roll lately, pun intended. Talk about how your game has improved over the last year and share what winning these titles mean to you.
“Joining the PWBA has always been a dream of mine, ever since I was a little girl watching the professionals on TV, bowling Pro-AMs with them when they came to our area. When I heard the tour was coming back in 2015, I knew I wanted to do it. My game has changed so much since 2015. I continue to train in our 8-lane training facility that Jeff and I own. I decided after the tour season in 2022, I wanted to go to 5 steps, which helped me hook the ball a little more and allows me to use my core and legs the way my body allows me to. I needed a way to have a little bit of a different ball roll out on the PWBA tour and it has helped.”
“Winning these titles mean a lot to me. Just having three titles with PWBA in front of them is amazing. Regional titles are a little bit of a steppingstone towards a national title. By having these experiences, it will help me have a clearer picture of things on the national tour. There is so much talent on both the regional and national level, it’s exciting.”
The PWBA 2024 national and regional tours are just around the corner, talk about your goals and expectations as you look ahead to the upcoming season.
“Last year was by far my best season professionally so far. For 2024, I’d like to win another regional title, qualify for the regional showdown again, make another PWBA national show, make the cut at both majors (Queens and US Open) cash in all events I bowl and of course win that first national title.”
As you full well know, the PWBA is full of talented bowlers. What is it like to compete against the best of the best out on tour? And, are there particular bowlers that you might admire or look up to, past and or present?
“It’s awesome being out there. I’ve made so many friends from around the United States through bowling. When I’m competing out there, I’m not really focused on those bowling around me, I’m more focused on myself. As for bowlers I look up to or admire, current would be my friend, Stefanie Johnson because she never gives up, she’s a grinder and works so hard. Also, my friend Shannon O’Keefe because of her no fear attitude and work ethic. Past, I would say Kim Kearney because I used to bowl Pro-AMs with her when the ladies came to our area then, she was my Jr. Team USA coach and now my friend. She’s a very down to earth person, humble and cares so much about the sport of bowling.”
You’ve exhibited a long-standing passion and dedication to youth bowling. You joined Alvernia University in May 2022 as Alvernia’s inaugural Women’s Bowling Head Coach. Before then, and following your time as a collegiate bowler, you were an assistant coach at Ephrata High School in 2008. You then coached Conestoga Valley High School’s Varsity Bowling program from 2010 through 2011. Talk about your love for working with youth bowlers and your excitement with your new journey coaching the Alvernia University bowling team.
“It’s very rewarding to coach and to be able to share my love and knowledge of the sport with others; it’s only going to help grow the sport. My heart is always so full when one of my students texts me with their new high game or series, a win, or a stepladder finish in a tournament. The excitement they have just makes me feel good inside.”
“As for being named the inaugural head coach at Alvernia University, it’s a dream come true. I knew when I graduated college I wanted to coach, but the right opportunity never presented itself to me. When this opportunity came along, I felt like it was my time to start leading others as far as they wanted to go. I took a year to recruit and ended up with six amazing ladies who want to learn, work hard, and put Alvernia bowling on the map!”
With a busy schedule and a full plate already, I imagine free time is sparse. When you do have time what other interests or hobbies might you have outside of bowling?
“I’m an avid ice hockey fan. Jeff and I actually have season tickets to the Hershey Bears (AHL team of the Washington Capitals).”
As you can see all around you I’m sure, bowlers everywhere and all ages and levels are working to improve their game. As a professional and a collegiate coach, what brief advice might you give to bowlers out there working on their dreams to become a better bowler and perhaps of bowling collegiately or professionally one day?
“My advice is to work hard. You only get back from the sport, what you put in. Learn to be a really great spare shooter because spares win matches. When you go practice, practice with a purpose. Work on one or two things during a practice session and make sure you pick it out before you even start the practice session. You’re not doing yourself any favors if you just go practice how to strike. Practice spare shooting, playing different parts of the lane etc. When you’re competing focus only on what you can control. Meaning, you can control your mindset, your vision, and your execution. If you compete with a clear mindset, you can do anything you set your mind to.”
Thank you Kerry, for taking some time to share your bowling journey and for all your efforts with teaching and spreading the love and appreciation for this great game to others around the world. You have such an inspiring competitive nature about you which raises the level of attention and dedication to those around you. Best of luck to you this upcoming season both professionally on the PWBA Tour and with the Alvernia Golden Wolves!
“Thank you for taking the time to interview me. I love giving back to the sport and just want everyone to succeed and find the fun and joy in the sport like I do.”
*All images courtesy of USBC, PWBA, Hammer and Kerry Smith
