State coach Hayden George has watched Sarah Pennicott rise to the top of her game from the time back when a bowling ball was almost too heavy to even pick up.
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“I have been drilling her bowling balls, custom-fitting the balls, since she was 10,” he said of his prodigy.
“So I have had quite a lot of influence of what she does.”
The 17-year-old certainly has got a grip on all things tenpin bowling these days.
Not only is the Exeter High student a four-time junior Tasmanian masters winner, but also the only girl to do so four times in a row.
Pennicott just continues to win everywhere she bowls.
Unbeaten in Launceston, in Devonport and in Hobart the last three years for titles.
She gets another chance to set new marks over the home lanes of Kings Meadows on Saturday for the Launceston junior championships.
“Speaking from a tournament perspective, she has probably done more than any other junior bowler in Tasmania ever,” George said.
Australian junior development squad member. Tick.
National training squad member. Another tick.
Five-time state member in the President’s Junior Interstate Shield team. Tick again.
But the competition lanes will be faster for the Asian schools championship.
Pennicott was the only Tasmanian given the nod to represent Australia at Taiwan in next week’s tournament.
George is still backing her bowler to forget about the magnitude of the challenge and focus on the task at hand.
“In ten-pin bowling, at the elite level, it’s all about preparation,” he said.
“Her commitment to the sport and how she prepares coming to an event, she is the leader in preparation.
“She goes into practices, goes to the gym, and she does mental preparation and mental exercises.
“Mental preparation and commitment is her biggest asset. That leads to delivering the physical side of actually delivering the bowling ball.”
For Pennicott, she is not thinking too much about the wins or losses for a change.
Instead, surrendering her dominance of one island for learning about the game on another is the priority.
“I am just looking forward to the experience of going against other countries and bowling in a different country, which will all be pretty cool, actually,” she said.
The passion that started seven years ago could well resemble more of a hobby compared to her Asian rivals.
They eat, sleep and breathe the sport to the point that the school day ends with time left for knocking down pins.
Pennicott admits the trip will feel a long way from the familiar Launceston lanes.
“It’s going to be at a new standard, so there will definitely be a bit more pressure and I will definitely be a bit nervous than I would normally be,” Pennicott said.
I am just looking forward to the experience going against bowlers other countries
- Exeter bowler Sarah Pennicott