Pictured above, Grass Lake High School bowler Jack Marshall follows through on a shot during a recent match at Suburban Lanes. Marshall is the model of consistency for Warriors’ bowling.
Photo, story by Jeff Steers
Exponent special writer
In a sport where a number of bowlers believe in grip-it-and-rip-it, Jack Marshall of Grass Lake High School is the polar opposite.
The GLHS senior takes plenty of time between shots making sure to be consistent with each shot.
And it is paying off for the GLHS senior.
Marshall is averaging 223 pins in match play for Grass Lake – the two-time defending state bowling champions. The Warriors won a team title in Division 3 in 2021 and Division 4 title in 2020.
“I have always been slower in my bowling,” Marshall said on Sunday following the Mel Wolf Open. “It helps me throw better shots.” (more below)
And more consistent shots with the same number of steps, pace, and ball speed. Marshall – a slender, taller bowler – has a classic follow-through and rolls each ball close to 15.9 miles per hour.
“When I get quick, I get inconsistent with my throws,” Marshall said. “The biggest thing is waiting for the ball to fall into place.
“A lot of it is trying to get the same arm speed with each shot.”
Marshall has been bowling for only four-plus years thanks to the help of JAX 60 and Andy Schnebelt. He participated in the Summer Tune-Up League with Schnebelt and a number of local coaches. Marshall said bowlers work on trying to hook the ball a little more and getting better form.
But come March, Marshall will be putting up his bowling ball as he plans to attend the University of Alabama to double-major in management and information system and accounting.
“My dream would be to get an internship with Dell,” Marshall said. “I have always been interested in technology.” (more below)
Marshall maintains a 4.05-grade point average at Grass Lake. He is currently tenth in his class.
But the senior will remember the lessons learned on the bowling alley.
“Sports teaches that you are not the deciding factor in every win or loss you take,” Marshall said. “I bowled pretty well today (at the Mel Wolf Open), but it (winning the tournament) didn’t fall into place.”
Marshall says winning two state bowling championships are two of the most incredible experiences for the 18-year-old.
