Whitehall’s Stiffler stress-free at state

Having bowled since she was 4, Madison Stiffler is impervious to the pressures of big tournaments.

“It probably sounds corny, but I just focus on one ball at a time, one frame at a time,” the Whitehall junior said. “I honestly don’t pay attention to my score. Last week, I had no idea how well I was doing. I felt like I was in a zone. When it was over and I saw my score, I just said, ‘Wow.’ ”

In the Division I district tournament last weekend at AMF Sawmill Lanes, Stiffler rolled a career-best three-game series 760 (257-238-265), nearly 100 pins better than runner-up Averi Brown of Eastmoor Academy.

Stiffler’s series obliterated all of the boys and girls scores recorded in Division II state and Division I district competition last weekend. It was her third career 700 series, the first coming when she

won the state title a year ago.

“I really don’t feel any pressure going into this weekend,” Stiffler said of the state tournament today and Saturday at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl. “For starters, I have already won a state title and I will always have that to be proud of. Honestly, I feel like I’ve got a great chance. I’ve had a great

postseason. I just have to trust the process and go out and do it.”

Stiffler, brother, A.J., and sister, Alexis — the three are triplets — learned to bowl from their parents and grandmother. Between the ages of 8 and 12, she was winning tournaments against teenage and even adult competitors. A.J. and Alexis also will compete this weekend as members of Whitehall’s state-qualifying teams.

“I have been around all the Stiffler triplets since they were little because they bowled in the Saturday morning league with my son and daughter,” Rams girls coach Jess Biller said. “When Madison got to middle school, she was averaging in the 170s or 180s, and we were all excited about what she would do in high school. What makes her so great is her dedication to the sport. Her form and technique are flawless, and she knows how to read the lanes and conditions.”

Stiffler, who carries a 224 average, has committed to bowl at Wright State and has aspirations beyond that.

“Although I play travel softball, too, bowling is a year-round thing for me,” she said. “After the state, I’ve got a lot of tournaments scheduled. We’ll be on the road some.”