Kenwood High’s Unified Bowling Team Bounces Back: A Season of Growth, Grit, and Championship Glory
The 2024–2025 season for Kenwood High School’s Unified Bowling team was marked by unexpected challenges, incredible perseverance, and ultimately, a triumphant return to the top of the podium. We sat down with Coach Melissa Suss, Co-Head Coach of Unified Sports as well as PE and Health Teacher, to reflect on the season’s journey, the athletes’ growth, and what lies ahead for this inspiring group.
Key Contributors: Leadership in Action
From the outset, Coach Suss emphasized that this year’s team relied heavily on key individuals whose efforts helped foster both skill development and team spirit. Among those standouts were Matthew Walls, Jerome Asbury, and newcomer Sebastian Kelley.
Matthew Walls, who had been working hard since last fall, emerged as a consistent leader on and off the lanes. His upbeat attitude and willingness to accept coaching helped set a positive tone for the team. More importantly, Matthew’s encouragement helped his partners feel confident and motivated during tough stretches.
Jerome Asbury brought veteran experience from last year’s Sectional Championship run. His calm and focused demeanor provided an anchor for the newer teammates. Jerome played a crucial role in helping newcomers remain patient, take their time with each frame, and maintain positivity, especially when the team faced setbacks during the County High School Bowling League matches.
Sebastian Kelley, a fresh face this season, embodied the team’s grit and determination. Though his start was challenging, he refused to give up. He went beyond the league’s Monday practices by proactively connecting with teammates for extra sessions. His commitment to improving and supporting others exemplified the teamwork that defined the season.
Season Struggles and Triumphs
When asked how the season went, Coach Suss was candid about the hurdles the team faced. The fall portion of the Montgomery County High School League was “really rough.” Coming off two consecutive years of reaching the championship game, the team did not qualify for postseason play this time around.
Despite the rocky start, the team’s response was remarkable. The athletes requested additional practice opportunities to work on their technique, a testament to their dedication and growth mindset.
“Coach Kellie and I added an extra practice day,” Coach Suss explained. “The players also took it upon themselves to come on their own time to refine their approach, release, and follow-through.”
This commitment to teamwork, positivity, and consistency led to dramatic improvement over the course of the season.
They carried their determination and team mindset to the TSSAA Bowling State Championships, where they beat that score on the way to winning the TSSAA Unified Bowling State Championship—a crowning achievement that reflected not only their growth throughout the season but also the strength of their unity and focus under pressure.
As the team approached the 2025 Unified Bowling Sectional Tournament, expectations were cautious. Yet, the athletes surprised everyone by posting their highest scores in two years and clinching the Back-to-Back TSSAA Unified Bowling Sectional Championship—a crowning achievement and a testament to their resilience.
Defining Moments: Practice, Persistence, and Payoff
Coach Suss identifies the defining moment of the season as the team’s willingness to embrace hard work and extra practice. This dedication transformed their performance and confidence.
“The Sectional Tournament was validation for their hard work and persistence,” she said.
This mindset shift was the catalyst that turned a struggling start into a championship finish.
Growth Across the Board: Emerging Leaders
Unlike teams that rely on a few stars, Kenwood’s Unified Bowling success was a collective effort. Everyone — Matthew, Karlos, Elijah, DaSean, Sebastian, and Jerome — showed vast improvement.
“All of them stepped into leadership roles as needed and listened to each other,” said Coach Suss.
Matthew, in particular, grew into a clear team leader, inspiring his teammates both in practice and competition.
Overcoming Challenges Together
The season wasn’t without its challenges. Early struggles on the lanes and a few minor injuries tested the team’s resolve. But the main hurdle was simply skill development and growing chemistry as a team.
“They needed to work on their game and grow together,” Coach Suss reflected.
The team’s openness to learning, coupled with their mutual support, helped them overcome those obstacles and develop a stronger, more consistent bowling unit.
Leadership Without Seniors
Interestingly, this season, Kenwood’s team did not have a senior class. Coach Suss explained that this made leadership roles more distributed, and young athletes had the chance to step up in various ways.
“We did not have seniors this year, so leadership came from multiple players,” she noted.
This distributed leadership may bode well for the future, as experience gained in these roles will serve the team well when the seniors do return.
Looking Ahead: Excitement for the Future
The 2025–2026 season holds promise with the return of four seniors, two of whom have been with the program for two years. The team is also expecting a fresh infusion of freshman athletes, sparking excitement about the blend of experience and new talent.
“We’re very excited about having a more experienced team and welcoming new athletes,” said Coach Suss.
This growing depth and leadership experience are expected to boost team performance and strengthen camaraderie.
Offseason Goals: Building Bonds and Skills
The offseason is already shaping up to be a busy one for Kenwood Unified Bowling. With new athletes and partners joining, Coach Suss and her staff plan to prioritize early bonding and skill development.
“We want our athletes to get to know each other, figure out which partnerships work best, and build positivity while improving skills,” she explained.
The goal is to keep the culture of fun and encouragement alive while pushing each other to improve technically and mentally.
Conclusion: More Than a Game
Kenwood High School’s Unified Bowling team exemplifies how sports can be a powerful tool for growth, inclusion, and resilience. Their 2024–2025 season journey—from early struggles to sectional champions—showcases the power of persistence, teamwork, and leadership in action.
Coach Melissa Suss’s reflections reveal a program grounded in positivity and hard work, where every athlete is encouraged to improve and support one another.
As the team looks ahead to next season, their foundation feels stronger than ever, built on the grit and determination of this year’s athletes and the promise of those to come.
With continued commitment, Kenwood Unified Bowling looks poised to keep rolling toward success, both on the lanes and in the lives of the young athletes they serve.
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