Konnor Goodin on a roll into Las Vegas for USBC Open Championships
HEATH ― Konnor Goodin's two-handed, left-handed bowling style stands out on the lanes, but not as much as his results.
Not only did the Heath graduate win a 2020 Division II state championship with it, but he's gotten even better. A recent 868 series at Utica's Redskin Lanes is testament to that. However, the ambitious 21-year-old is not one to rest on his laurels.
Continually testing himself against the area's best in the Monday Coughlin Business League at Park Lanes, as well as Central Ohio's top bowlers at HP Lanes in Columbus, Goodin will soon find out how he stacks up nationally. He's headed to Las Vegas next week for the 120th United States Bowling Congress Open Championships at South Point Bowling Plaza.
"It's the biggest event in open bowling, the most attended every year, for any sport," said Goodin, now an assistant coach for the Bulldogs. Contested from the end of February through July, there are more than 11,000 five-player teams and over 55,000 bowlers total entered, competing at the 60-lane casino venue.
Goodin will start in team play on Wednesday, then doubles and singles on Thursday.
"In 2021 I went there and it was an experience, not necessarily a good one," he admitted. "It's as hard as anything you'll see. Very tough lane conditions, and you don't know the shot until the day before."
He feels better prepared now, and the confidence is high. Subbing in at Redskin, he shot 300-279-289 for his 868, and it nearly became 900.
"The second game, I had the 7-10 (split) to start, then scraped out the 279," Goodin said. "The third game, I hit the first 10 (strikes), then left the 10 pin. I usually don't leave the 10. Normally it's the 7."
It was his first sanctioned 800 (he also had one that didn't count in the City Tournament) and third 300. It nearly shattered Redskin's 877 record set by the legendary Bob Jones, who also bowls in the Monday league at Park. Goodin averages 210 in that and 235 at Redskin, where he also averages over 700 per series. He's at 226 in the summer league in Columbus.
That's one pin less than longtime best friend Corbin Wilson, who teamed with Goodin to lead Heath to the 2020 Division II state tourney. He's a big reason Goodin is where he is.
"Both of my parents bowled, and I always watched them, and Corbin and I work with each other," Goodin said. "He's obviously been a big help. He's actually better than me, always has been."
Wilson, however, is concentrating on taking over full-time as head mechanic at Park Lanes for his grandfather, Earl Simpson.
"It's about helping the game more than helping my own game," said Wilson, who does team up with Goodin in doubles events. "He (Goodin) puts in a huge amount of practice and is getting better on the more challenging shots. He's ready to bowl in these big tournaments."
Goodin said he's 10 times better than he was in high school.
"I'm much better at scoring consistently," he said. "My ball speed for two-handers was not fast enough, at 15-16 miles per hour. Now, it's 20 miles per hour. But there's always something to be working on, changing the things you can manipulate on the lanes."
He attended the University of Northwestern Ohio, where he bowled and worked toward his goal of being a mechanic. It didn't work out financially. He is now a mechanic at Roush Honda in Westerville after working at John Hinderer, and he's on track to become a master technician.
"It's going really well," he said. "I've always wanted to be a pro bowler, but I have to make some money first. It's not cheap."
Goodin wants to compete in PBA regionals, and one will be at Park in June.
"My first regional here, in 2022, I tore ligaments in my ankle the day before," he said. "I still bowled, and if I would have made all my spares, I would have still made the cut."
He's focused on keeping Heath's bowling program at the high level established by coach Vicki White and her staff by coaching current and future Bulldog bowlers. Coaching is not easy, he admitted.
"We've built a really good thing there, and want to keep it going," Goodin said. "I want to teach the next generation of bowlers. But coaching is hard. I know how to bowl, but if you try to explain it to them and they don't understand, it doesn't do much good. I'm still learning to explain it in a way that they can understand."
While becoming a full-time pro bowler is in the back of his mind, Goodin is also realistic.
"I have a really good job, but I can't do both full time," he said.
If he decides to pursue bowling, he'll have an important person in his corner.
"I told him, 'If you go pro, I'll be your coach,' " Wilson said.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Konnor Goodin on a roll into Las Vegas for USBC Open Championships
