Clay Stutzman keeps rolling all the way to Wright State
May 5, 2014
467
By Dave Mast
Clay Stutzman was not very old when he first picked up a bowling ball and heaved it down the lanes at Spare Time Lanes in Millersburg.
While he may have been small and weak, his drive and desire were quite evident, even in his youth. He quickly became astute at the game, and with the tutoring of his father, Matt, a superb bowler, his technique and passion for the game intensified quickly.
As of Friday, April 25, Stutzman has officially built those skills and talents into something special, having signed his letter of intent to bowl for the Wright State Raiders next fall.
Joined by family and friends at Spare Time Lanes, Stutzman signed his name on the dotted line, and became a rare breed in Holmes County, a high school athlete heading to college to perform on the lanes.
Without a high school team to speak of at West Holmes, Stutzman has had to rely on junior tournaments and self-promotion to capture the eye of college coaches.
Enter Wright State head bowling coach Jeff Fleck, who got a glimpse of Stutzman and knew he wanted the Millersburg native on his squad.
We are super-excited, said Fleck on signing Stutzman. We knew he didnt have a high school program. We know about the high school programs because we go to a lot of the tournaments. But guys like Clay, we kind of have to flush them out of the woods, so to speak. We were excited that they reached out to us, and absolutely stoked when they chose Wright State.
Flecks teams have been to the nationals a number of times, the men having gone in 2011 and 2012, the women four of the past six years. This year he has recruited heavily to try to make it back to nationals, and he said Stutzman is part of what he called his Fab Five freshman.
They are going to make an impact right away, said Fleck.
Fleck said aside from the impressive scores Stutzman was posting, the one thing which really caught his eye was Stutzmans conduct on the lanes.
What I like about Clay is that he is very level-headed, said Fleck. Good or bad, he was very level-headed and never gets upset. Not too high, not too low.
He said that the family values of the Stutzmans was another reason he loved the fit, noting that the entire Wright State bowling team is a family-oriented group.
For Stutzman, the opportunity to take his game to the next level and compete with the best college bowling has to offer is exactly what he has hoped for over all the years of practice and competition.
I am very excited now that (the recruiting process) is all over, said Stutzman. This is my final year, so next year is my freshman again. Its going to be tough, but I think I am ready for it.
The younger Stutzman credits his father for enabling him to perfect the sport which he is now so passionate about.
However, the cost of developing into a premier bowler has meant countless hours of practice, at times more mental than physical.
Stutzman said that knowing all of that time spent crafting his skills has paid off in a date with Wright State next season.
Matt Stutzman said he isnt sure the first time his son ever defeated him, but what he does remember is something more precious.
I dont remember the first time, but I remember the look on his face, said Matt. It was priceless, because he knew, at that point, what this sport could do for him. We have had a lot of fun over the years.
The teacher stated that the pupils biggest asset is his strength. His game is speed, said Matt. He can play the lanes out, with a lot of hands and speed. Thats his bread and butter.
One of the few things Clay has not tried to emulate in his dads game is which hand he uses. Matt, a left-hander, has had to teach Clay everything backwards, his son being a right-hander.
When he was little I tried to get him to be a lefty, but it wasnt meant to be, said Matt Stutzman.
I owe it all to my dad, said Clay of his skill set. Of course, he is throwing with the wrong hand while I am throwing with the right hand.
Oh, here we go, said Dad with a chuckle, bringing into play one final lesson Clay picked up along the way.
Clay has gleaned plenty from his talented dad, who has rolled a number of perfect games and holds a pretty fair amount of lane records at Spare Time Lanes.
Clay has zeroed in on learning the many intricacies of the sport, but the elder Stutzman has instilled in his son that there is a time to be a ferocious competitor, but the need to find joy in the sport is also a must if he wants to succeed.
That is some advice Clay took to heart, and will take with him all the way to Wright State, and then, to where the lanes may take him.
