Babson Park, FL – 21 April 2020: Thanks to some of the latest technology, the Webber International University bowling team was able to hold their annual banquet virtually using the video conference service called Zoom. This service has been made popular by the social distancing orders ushered in by COVID-19.
The awards given out to one male and one female player at the banquet are named after the three pillars of the WIU bowling culture, coined as the “Webber Way.” They are made up of being patient and present, constantly learning, and striving for excellence. The most coveted award, the Bill Heath Webber Way award, is a culmination of those three pillars. That award is also aptly named after WIU’s former (retired) athletic director, Bill Heath, who was instrumental in the inception of the bowling program at Webber.
The winners of this season’s Patient & Present awards were Tyler Wilson and Kristin Hilker. Wilson was on the developmental squad this season, but was credited with always having a positive attitude and always being ready to work when practice time came around. It takes patience and presence of mind to maintain a good attitude while being on the developmental squad. Kristin was awarded the honor for similar reasons. As a player that was on the bubble the whole season between varsity and JV, her perseverance and patience at perfecting her craft led to her to being promoted to the Varsity team for the entirety of the late season.
The Constant Learning awards went to Tom Hankey, Jr. and Emelie Neidenmark. Hankey, in his sophomore season, had been thrust into the leadership role since starting at Webber. This season proved to be a challenge, balancing an ever-increasing workload from school while also maintaining his leadership duties with the team. Coach Del credited him with constantly learning throughout the process and ultimately learning more about himself and what he is capable of. Emelie was credited by Coach Randy as being a “slave to the game,” never ceasing in her quest to working to improve her game and get better as a person.
Striving For Excellence, the final pillar, was awarded to Austin Okazaki and Lauren Snipes. Okazaki, having begun his freshman year on the developmental squad, had worked his way to the varsity team in his Junior year. The only way one works their way to the top like that is through constantly striving for excellence, which the coaches felt Austin embodied this season. Snipes, finishing her 4th and final year, received this as a culmination of her entire career at Webber. An emotional Coach Randy decreed that no one worked harder than Lauren at tearing down and rebuilding her game into what it was, a feat that requires constantly striving for excellence.
The final and most prized Bill Heath Webber Way awards went to Stephen Delong and Caitlyn Johnson. Stephen earned this award by always being willing to help out the team, and Kegel as a whole, any way necessary. Volunteering help at camps, events, and in the pro shop, Stephen embodied the Webber Way in every aspect possible. Caitlyn Johnson, fresh off making college bowling history with Hankey, earned this award for the second season in a row. Again emotional, Coach Randy could not say enough about Caitlyn and her commitment to the team, to Kegel, and to the sport of bowling. Referencing her interview with Storm Bowling the prior week, Caitlyn is a true ambassador for the sport and for Webber.
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About Kegel Training Center
The Kegel Training Center, first known by the name HERBIES was opened in 1997 in Sebring, FL. This private ten lane facility was the first of its kind. In 2004, the Kegel Training Center was moved to its current location in Lake Wales, FL and now features twelve fully adjustable lanes. The KTC coaches players from all over the world and serves as the Training Facility for the Webber International University bowling teams. For more information, please visit www.kegeltrainingcenter.com.
