David Ritchie: First State Champion in Adaptive Bowling
David Ritchie emerged a victor in last week’s state bowling championship in Louisville, not only setting a personal and state record at 106 in his very first year of bowling, but also taking the first-ever state champion title for the adaptive division.
“David set the bar pretty high, and the rest of the guys are feeling some pressure now to live up to his standard,” said Bardstown’s head boys’ bowling coach Aaron Boggs. “He gave his best when it counted the most.”
Ritchie, a freshman at Bardstown High, bowled against competitor Crystal Williams of Ryle in the event Feb. 7 at Executive Strike & Spare in Louisville. This was the first year the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) opened a state championship title for adaptive bowling, which is for competitors unable to bowl by typical means due to physical limitations. “The state of Kentucky is doing a really good job of trying to provide more opportunities for special needs athletes and athletes like David with physical disabilities,” Boggs said.
Ritchie, 16, was paralyzed after an accident about three years ago. Unlike his fellow teammates, he must bowl from his wheelchair, but in his last year of practicing, he has worked hard to master his technique. “I just try to keep my wrist as straight as I can so I don’t gutter,” Ritchie said. Ritchie took up bowling after attending a tournament where his cousin, Trey Settles, was competing. “I fell in love with it,” Ritchie said, and he wanted to join the team. Settles and a few other teammates, Zack Mattingly, Durbin Boggs, and Zach Dickerson, wer e there to cheer Ritchie on during his competition.
“The girl that was bowling against him, she made a few good shots back-to-back,” Settles said, and that got into Ritchie's head. When he noticed his cousin starting to slip, he relayed a message to him that he needed to make sure to bowl his best and not worry about the scores; to stay focused. Ritchie went on to regain the lead and win 106-77.
“I knew he was going to pick it up,” Settles said. “I knew he was going to win.”
The Bardstown bowling team formed last year. The school already had a club in place, but as interest grew, they wanted to be able to compete against other schools. The team now has 56 students participating in total, led by boys’ coach Aaron Boggs and girls’ coach Shawn Boggs, as well as two assistant coaches. The teams practice twice a week at the local bowling alley.
For competition, Boggs said there are usually two or three matches a week and the district mostly competes against schools in the Hardin County area, though they do travel some for different events. Not all of the players compete at every match. Boggs said the Bardstown Board of Education and the district’s athletic department have been supportive of the team, helping pay fees to rent the alley for practice and for transportation to matches. Bowling alley owner Larry Luvisi has also been supportive, not only providing space, but also advice to the up-and-coming athletes. But the spirit of the team really comes down to the kids' dedication, Boggs said.
“They have really put in a lot of time and work on their own,” Boggs said. “We only practice twice a week but many practice on their own,” and spend their own money on equipment. “It’s been fun to watch how invested they’ve become,” he said. Boggs and some of the bowlers agreed Ritchie’s state championship win shows nice progression for the team, as have other regional accomplishments.
“Everyone in the state knows about Bardstown bowling now,” Settles said. “We’ve made a name for ourselves, not just in the adaptive, but in every category.” As for Ritchie, bowling is something he plans to continue throughout high school and he hopes to see another championship in the future.
“Just keep trying with it and don’t ever give up,” he said as advice to others interested in taking up the sport. “Just stay focused.”