HARVEST- Bowling lanes at both the Pin Palace in Huntsville and on Redstone Arsenal are like a second home to Emily Lindsey. The 17-year old Sparkman High senior has entered her final year in high school as an All-State bowler so named by the Alabama U.S. Bowling Association.

As an anchor member of the Sparkman bowling team, Lindsey finished fourth in the individual competition while helping the Senators to the Class 7A team State Championship last season. Her talent on the lanes is showcased year round as she participates in numerous leagues around her sanctioned school bowling schedule, which runs October to January.

Lindsey earned her First Team All-State placement as she posted a 190.94 game average in the recent summer leagues. She’s ranked No. 2 in the All-State Team only behind Jamie Thomas of Helena. The top eight among the All-State squad garnered their honor for an average over 60 games.

“I began bowling in 2012 going to the bowling alley with my dad who bowls,” said Lindsey. “My mother also bowls. I soon joined the Saturday morning league at Pin Palace. I stuck with the sport and have made a lot of friends.”

She has a 4.1 grade point average and would love to study social working. Just before Christmas she has planned to sign a scholarship to bowl for Pikeville University located in Kentucky. Her rise among the ranks of bowling stemmed from the fact she loved the challenge of what the sport presents each time she stood on the lanes.

“I find a line on the lane I like depending how oily the lanes are as I feel I can move out of my comfort zone at any time,” said Lindsey. “I throw a hook, but some patterns of the lanes determine how much of a hook.”

Taking to the action in the “Rebels” Saturday morning league, Lindsey is the top ranked bowler among girls and third overall in the league when compared to boys.

“I’ve learned about the sport, the patterns, the lanes, the balls and just about everything about bowling,” added Lindsey, who is the anchor member of the Sparkman team for two years.

A local school screening for scoliosis revealed Lindsey suffered from the abnormality of the spine. Following expert physician examinations she was placed into a corrective back brace she wore during both the seventh and eighth grades. Her sideways curvature of the spine held at 30-degrees, which is what the doctors were hoping for. The malformation is very common and did not stop her determination of living a normal life and the continuation of bowling.

“We’re currently going through physical conditioning workouts in preparation for our upcoming season at Sparkman,” said Lindsey, a member of the national honor society for her academics.

She has posted a game-high score of 269 and is gearing up to help her Sparkman team defend its title that radiates from the AHSAA State Championship blue trophy that stands at the school. Each time she steps onto the lanes, sets her eyes on her mark and visualizes the ball striking the awaiting 10 pins with strong velocity and spin, Lindsey is at home, sweet home.