By SAVANNAH BARR

s.barr@bradfordera.com

Zander Koppenhaver is really on a roll. The local bowling buff is showing what he is made of, finishing in the top four out of 40 individuals at this year’s Beat the Champ Invitational presented by Storm Bowling.

Koppenhaver, of Bradford, will go head to head against three other individuals for a top prize of $2,200 and the Healy-Miller Trophy. The final competition will be held at 6:30 p.m. today at Rapids Bowling Center in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Koppenhaver has been bowling since he was 4 years old. He comes from a family who enjoys bowling and says one bowler who continues to inspire him is his late grandfather, Dave Frey. ‘For me, the best part of bowling is the challenge of being able to do well regardless of what I am facing that day,’ Koppenhaver said.

Koppenhaver has previously competed in state competitions and smaller tournaments.

‘I would consider doing bigger competitions, but I just never have,’ said Koppenhaver.

This is his first time competing in Beat the Champ. There were two matches before this point. The first took a total score from six games, and the second was a series of round robin matches. For this last competition, it will be regular match play.

Koppenhaver enjoys thinking on his feet.

‘The key is probably just being able to adapt and do different things to be able to score,’ said Koppenhaver.

‘Ultimately, you can only control what you do; you can’t control what happens after you let go of the ball.’

When he is under pressure, he finds himself going back to the basics.

‘You know, make a good shot, take your time, maintain good habits that are built from practicing,’ said Koppenhaver. ‘I wipe my bowling ball off every time I bowl.’

Over the years, he has developed a special technique of throwing his first ball two handed. He says this allows him to get more power and rotation on the ball.

‘You can’t be afraid

Spare… page A-8

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Photo courtesy of Zander Koppenhaver to try new things,” said Koppenhaver. “A lot of people told me that I shouldn’t throw two-handed but I tried it and my average went up like 25 pins.”

If he takes home first place, he intends to save the money. He currently works as a student teacher and said it would help him with necessities for his job.

Beyond the prize money, winning would be a confirmation of everything he has worked toward.

“It would show me that I have put in the time and done the practice,” he said, “and now I have that understanding to be able to compete at a higher level.”