Jess Salazar’s love for bowling started when he rolled his first game.
Salazar, then a youth, went back to the bowling alley the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that.
“I would bowl for seven days straight,” said Salazar, now a former pro and the head of Morgan Hill’s first winter youth bowling program in more than 20 years. “I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to get better. Every day, I was practicing. They had to send me home.”
At age 64, the congenial Salazar shares the same youthful energy for bowling as his students. Three of whom have caught on as quickly as Salazar did years ago.
Saturday Salazar’s winter program will be represented by Morgan Hill’s Troy Moorehead and Jacob Scocca, and Gilroy’s Gary Sammons at the California Pepsi Championships in Fountain Valley. The three are coming off a good showing at district finals in March, where they competed among 202 boys in the 12-and-up handicap division.
“They’re the best bowlers we have as juniors,” Salazar said. “They have really good potential … and they can be even better. This is going to be their first state tournament, and it’s going to be a big deal, so I hope they get excited.”
During a practice match Monday at Morgan Hill Bowl, Scocca beamed at the chance to play with the best in the state.
“I want to win,” the shaggy-haired 14-year-old said with a smile. “I really do. I love bowling. It’s fun to just do your best.”
Moorehead, 15, took up bowling five months ago because his mom made him try it. He likes it as much as baseball, his sport of choice – especially after he placed fifth at districts with a handicapped score of 789 in three games. Sammons, 14, placed 14th (742), and Scocca, 14, took 30th (731).
“Just tried to stay calm and have fun,” Moorehead said. “There were a lot of people there.”
Sammons became hooked after his first strike.
“That’s the best part,” he said. “It’s exciting.”
The three finalists have set the bar for what Salazar and assistant coach George Aboud hope will become an annual winter program in Morgan Hill.
“They’re the ones who put in the most time and effort,” Aboud said. “They’re down here three, four days a week, working on their games. They really have that desire to excel.”
Bowling hasn’t exactly been “work,” though.
“It’s fun to play, and it’s a great way to make friends,” Scocca said. “I wasn’t the most social person before I started bowling. You meet a lot of new people.”
Salazar’s only advice for his bowlers this week is to “do the best you can” and to have fun – just like he continues to do at the alley.
“It’s great seeing them enjoy something positive,” Salazar said. “You need two things to be a successful bowler … You need a mental game, and you need to enjoy it.”
NOTE: A summer youth program is scheduled to begin June 2 at Morgan Hill Bowl, 650 Tennant Station.
