Youth is served as 20-year-olds nail down city singles titles

Youth prevailed at the city singles tournament.

A pair of 20- year- olds claimed the handicap and scratch open titles at this year’s GreaterDaytonUnited StatesBowlingCongress City Singles Tournament. Daniel Kahn won the handicap title with a 782 series while Keith Schooler took home the scratch championship with an 803.

The accomplished former youth bowlerswere compet

Daniel Kahn

Keith Schooler

ing in their first adult city tournament.

“Bowling in adult leagues and tournaments has made me work harder,” Kahn said. “If the competition is tougher, I’ve got to get better.”

Kahn’s momentum began as his final youth season came to an abrupt end in March.

“My last daybowling in the Xtreme League, on March 14, I bowled my first 300 game,” Kahn said.

The Sinclair Community College student, however, didn’t have high expectations for the city tournament despite posting a career-high series of 745 — 782 with handicap — at his “home away from home,” Beaver-Vu Bowl.

“I bowled the first shift so, even though I had the lead, I didn’t expect it to hold up,” Kahn said. “I figured if people knew what they had to beat, it would be easier.”

The Beavercreek bowler checkedinat the center from time to time, over the next few weeks, to see if he was still at the top of the standings. Much to his surprise, he was.

“I have seen a big improvement in my game this season, but I definitely did not expect to win,” he said.

Much like Kahn, Schooler has seen steady improvement on the lanes.

“This is the best bowling season I’ve had,” Schooler said.

Schooler’s 244-259-300— 803wasn’t just the winning scratch score as he also tallied the only 300 game and 800 series in the tournament.

“Thefunnythingwas, after the second game, I looked at my mom and told her I was going to bowl a 300 for her,” Schooler said. “I was just joking, but I did it so that was pretty cool.”

It was the Huber Heights bowler’s fourth 300 this season and second 800 series.

Not bad considering bowling in the city tournament was a last-minute decision.

“I had league that day but my dad suggested I bowl city and I thoughtwhy not,” Schooler said.

With one day of competition remaining after he jumped to the top of the standings, Schooler hoped his score would hold up.

“I thought I had a chance, but there are a lot of good bowlers inDayton,” Schooler said.

Now both Schooler and Kahn have solidified their place among those “good bowlers.”