CORNER BROOK — Keisha Brown believes a positive attitude can take a person a long way in life, no matter what they pursue.
A rosy outlook may have something to do with her blossoming into one of the top youth bowlers in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The 16-year-old Corner Brook native captured top honours at the provincial five-pin youth bowling challenge held recently in Paradise. She will represent Newfoundland and Labrador at the national five-pin youth challenge in Sherbrooke, Que., in March.
Brown won first place with a 228.8 average over five games at the Paradise Bowl, edging out Jeanine Kennedy of Paradise (227.0 average) in the battle for bragging rights. Meghan Davis of Corner Brook, who represented the province at the national challenge in Regina, Sask., two years ago, is the third member of the female contingent after finishing with a 225.8 average.
Brown went into the challenge confident in her abilities and focused her energy on having fun.
It worked.
“When you’re always down on yourself you’re not going to get anywhere,” said Brown, who has been hitting the lanes since the age of five. “So, you might as well cheer yourself on, and everybody else you’re working together with, and do the best you can.”
Brown was impressed with the quality of competition at the provincial event and knew she would have to be on her game to earn a spot.
“I was really surprised because I wasn’t expecting to win first place, but I went in and I bowled the best I could,” she said. “My team, along with every other team, bowled amazing. Each game was so close for the most part.”
Brown’s stellar performance was highlighted by a 313 single in her second of five games, the best single of the tournament. Jeanine Kennedy had the other big game of the showdown with a 300 single in her third game. This was a critical point in Keisha’s weekend, according to the daughter of Corner Brook’s Max and Sharon Brown.
“I was into my game that game. I was concentrating and working hard,” she said. “My team cheering me on was a big help too. It boosted my confidence.”
Brown will be making her debut at the challenge, but she has been on the national stage before. Last year she was a member of the women’s silver-medal-winning team at the Youth Bowling Canada (YBC) nationals in St. John’s.
She is looking forward to a new experience and, in trademark fashion, she talks about keeping life in perspective when it comes to competing.
“I have to have a positive attitude, stick together as a team and have fun is the most important part,” she said.
With a few months before making the trek, she is more determined than ever to spend more time on the lanes. But that’s no big deal because she is truly an alley cat.
The young kegler has a passion for bowling because she has a lot of fun. She looks forward to spending Saturday with lanemates who have become good friends.
“That’s the only thing I am into,” she said with a hearty chuckle. “It’s just a fun time. We have a laugh.”
