Nathan Bray and Angelica Blimegger are once again among the leaders in Palm Beach County high school bowling.
Blimegger, a 16-year-old junior at West Boca Raton High School, leads the county with a 211 average. The team girls’ captain also won the all-events handicap at the 58th annual Florida State Youth Scholarship Tournament.
Blimegger, who lives in Boca Raton, also recently set the county record for a two-game series with a 259-278 (537), according to the United States High School Bowling Foundation.
“They are the heartbeat of the team,” said West Boca coach Scott Breslow. “They dictate the pace of the game, the momentum of the team…it’s everything.”
Since he was a freshman, Bray, a 16-year-old Delray Beach resident, who is also a junior at the school, has been among the top bowlers in the state.
As a freshman, Bray, a two-time Sun Sentinel bowler of the year, recorded his first perfect game (300) for his school, West Boca High, and later picked one up at a tournament. This is his third year as captain of the boys’ team.
“There is a little bit more pressure on Nathan to succeed because there are some better bowlers in our district this year,” he said. “Nathan also switched up from conventional to two-handed this year and has succeeded with it. He is not averaging as high, but he hopes to keep improving on that.”
Blimegger said there are a lot of things to like about the sport.
“I like the sportsmanship and the dedication my team has put in to bowl for West Boca as one,” she said. “I also like the fact that the sport is inside, so weather conditions can’t really affect the performance or condition of the lanes.
“For this current season, my overall goal is to make each shot count, and to ensure I put my best effort into each shot,” Blimegger said. “With my own performance, I am proud of the accomplishments I have made. I was able to pull through with the tough times I had throughout the season. I worked on my spare shots, and I completed drills to ensure I would be able to make my spares. My accuracy has improved.”
Blimegger is still chasing her first 300 in high school competition. She rolled a perfect game on March 3 at Bowlero Boca during practice.
The two-time Sun Sentinel All County first team selection has seen her scoring average go up from 197 as a freshman and 201 as a sophomore. She’s been bowling for about nine years. She has also averaged as high as 225 in league bowling.
Bray said he also likes the sport for a variety of reasons.
“I love the challenge that (bowling) presents, every time you step on the approach,” he said. “I would love to win county and districts and make it back to states and give it a run there.”
Bray’s 207 scoring average is second best in the county behind Somerset Academy’s Mateo Ruiz (210), despite changing from a traditional one-handed bowler to two hands.
“Switching to two hands has been different and a long process, but I’m trusting it,” said Bray, who made the change at the end of last year. “The game is changing where you need all the revolutions and power you can get, and two hands is the best way to maximize those things. However, I have had a lot of support from my family and everyone around me and I can’t ask for much more.
“This season has been a little disappointing for me,” he said. “I definitely wish it could be better, but I’m ready to finish out the year strong.”
West Boca’s boys are currently in third place in the South Division of the Palm Beach County High School Division with a 49-23 record. Bray, who averaged 215.56 last year, began bowling eight years ago.
“I started (bowling) as a summer hobby and realized that I really enjoyed it and started to become competitive,” said Bray, who made the top 16 at states last season. He also won his second straight district championship and was third at the county tournament after winning it in 2021. “I think we have a chance of going to states but we need to get better at many things.”
He nearly picked up his second 300 against Santaluces on Sept. 11 when he rolled a 299, leaving just the 7 pin.
