5-1-2025
Interviewer: Elisa A. Escalante LCSW/ published author
Interviewee: Kody R. Escalante @Lanewhisperer/ Two sanctioned 300’s & Sanctioned 299 Bowler (And also my little brother!)
Q- I distinctly remember the time I knew that your bowling skills were above average. I was sixteen years old, and you were 8, and you beat me in several games that night. I’m curious about what you remember about bowling at the age of 8 and through childhood? What drew you into bowling and how were you able to maintain the passion?
A- As you know Dad would take me every other weekend when I would come visit the family. It was my favorite family hobby and good bonding time with Dad. Maintaining passion wasn’t too hard due to how fun bowling is. The other major factor is the amazing support from the people around me. The bowling community is everything.
Q- How did you fine tune your technique, and were there people that tried to steer you away from the technique you wanted? Especially since you are still a young bowler.
A- I remember a few people suggested I put my thumb in the thumb hole growing up. But, my instincts told me not to. I was already used to it and from a visual standpoint, I always enjoyed watching the bowling ball spin. Figuring out my exact hand placement would come later.
Q- When I watch your competitions, I find it interesting how although all the bowlers are competing against each other, you guys/ ladies are so kind to each other through the tournament. Does it feel like a competition? Any temptation to diss your competitors?
A- (Laughs…) No, your own worst enemy is going to be you. There is no defense in bowling. The objective is to get your strikes and pick up your spares. Or even when you shoot many strikes; you shoot for better strikes, and learn to get better at sport patterns. The strategy is to make the least amount of mistakes possible.
Q- I recall you had a long dry period (Ages 18-24 y/o) where you stopped bowling for a while. But then when you picked back up, you went at it with a vengeance. Was this a break you needed and did intentionally? Was it circumstantial to life stress or any mental health stuck points?
A- In that period I was going to college and focused on working. I still knew I had the talent, but my priority was saving up money for my first car. I had a lot of other expenses that came up right after high school. Bowling fee’s, even just to practice or have fun, they add up. For example, to prep for a tournament would require I practice at least four times a week, and I must pay to play.
Q- And how did you go from hobbyist to competitive bowler?
A- One of the managers at my go to spot, Canyon Lanes at Morongo, suggested I join a league. It was enjoyable and we started traveling and practicing frequently. Our league saw the advertisements and flyers everywhere. My very first tournament was in Morongo in the Fall of 2022. The experience was humbling; many people were far better. My thought was “wow, I have some work to do”; and it drove me to want to learn more. I met pro bowlers at the tournaments that also gave me very helpful pointers.
Q- What type of mental and physical preparation goes into getting ready for a bowling tournament?
A- I try to stay calm and not get angry at myself. I have to shake off the feelings and not hyper focus on the scoreboard because that leads to overthinking. The physical is about the equipment. I like to prep the surface of the bowling balls. I must also take into account which type of bowling ball I am using while simultaneously paying close attention to the lane conditions.
Q- Walk me through how it felt for: Your first 300 game and your 2nd 300 game as well as your 299 honor game. (Kody earned two 300 rings in the years of: Nov, 2022/ Sept, 2024. And just last month (April 2025) Kody bowled a 299, which is considered an honor score. This will be rewarded with a plaque)
A- For the first sanctioned 300, I had only one ball for everything. It felt like muscle repetition. I did the same thing over and over again. The biggest challenge is consistency. By the tenth frame I was shaking. By the second 300, though it was nerve racking, I already had it in mind that I had done this before and I can do it again. I had more confidence by then. Follow up: And the 299? What was the feeling the moment you got 9 pins vs ten in that final strike attempt in the final frame?? (pause) It was disappointing, only because I felt like I threw a pretty good shot on my last strike attempt. Dad was there, and he witnessed it. He said he brought me ‘Good luck.’ (Laughs)
Q- I can’t help but notice that even when you bowl a strike, you look disappointed in yourself. You mention that there is a ‘better way to bowl a strike’ and perhaps something about the technique? Are you too hard on yourself? Or is it all a part of getting better?
A- It’s definitely a process. Even though I say that I throw a bad shot, it’s really about the placement of where my ball is set on the lane. Sometimes I know that I did not throw the best shot but I know deep down that the lane was forgiving and helped me get that specific strike despite me feeling ‘off’.
Q- How do you manage anxiety when you are competing? And because I have wondered this for a while, are you more nervous when me and/ or Dad are watching you??
A- I don’t really feel the nerves when others are watching. I do my best to have fun. If I am doing bad, I will cheer others on. The only time it feels nerve racking is in a PBA (Professional bowlers association) style event where there is an audience in the stands; ‘EVERYONE’ is watching to include strangers. There’s also a lot more rules during PBA events, and it get’s quieter in the alley so we can concentrate.
Q- And how about your first Nationals tournament in Louisiana?? (March 31st-April 1st of 2025)
A- That was also another humbling experience. They laid out the hardest oil patterns I had ever experienced. They don’t give away the patterns until the very end of the competition season, and it becomes more eye opening on what adjustments ‘should have been made’ had we known. Everyone is bowling ‘shots in the dark’ essentially. We did get to practice and have a feel of the lane, but sometimes it takes a whole game or two to figure out the oil pattern. (Kody is referring to the oil that is laid out on the bowling lanes. The oil serves as a protection layer for lane wood. But, oil may be laid out in different patterns so that bowlers have the added challenge of finding the right technique to bowl a strike in said unique oil pattern.)
Q- As of now, what are you working on/ fine tuning in order to improve your overall game? You have been an amateur bowler for 3.5 years, do you have professional bowling in your sights down the road?
A- I am trying to diversify my shots. What I mean by that is I have a certain sport pattern. A house shot is the easiest pattern and it is very forgiving. But a sport shot requires more precision; this has a lot to do with the oil patterns we discussed before. In tournaments, there are no handicaps and only raw scores; the stakes are higher. I’m playing around with different types of balls and discovering what they do at different angles. As far as professional bowling, I intend to go that route. What I have researched so far is that I must hold an average of 200 or higher for my past 30 amateur games. Follow up from me: “Easy work for you!!!!!!”
Functionally Mental 