Having spent “95 percent” of his coaching time with kids during the summer, Morgan Hill’s Jess Salazar and his wife, Lalani, tried something new this year by organizing what is believed to be the city’s first winter youth bowling program.
“Hopefully we can keep it going,” the 64-year-old Salazar said.
It appears they will.
The Salazars are taking 11 district qualifiers to Livermore next weekend for the California Pepsi USBC Youth Championships, where they will try to advance to the state finals set for May 5-6 in Fountain Valley.
The group holds open practices at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays at Morgan Hill Bowl and include boys and girls ages 6 to 15. Those heading to districts, which begin Saturday, are Shane Alexander, Diego Jara, Jacob Scocca, Ryan Scocca, Travis Sammons, Jayson Polanco, Colton Moorehead, Troy Moorehead, Justin Aboud and Yvreanna Polanco.
Jacob Scocca, 14, holds the team’s highest average at 167.
“He’s a really good bowler,” said Salazar, who has bowled for more than four decades. “He throws very well.”
Most of the group members are in their first year with the sport but already love it. Colton Moorehead, now in his first competitive league, hopes to bowl professionally, Salazar said. Moorehead has a 95 average.
The Salazars still plan to hold a summer league at Morgan Hill Bowl, starting at the end of May.
