Young Corbin Rollin’ Redhound headed to state competition

It has been a special season for the Corbin Rollin’ Redhounds bowling program, especially on the girls’ side. Head Coach Pat Venable’s Lady Hound bowlers went undefeated all the way to this year’s Region 8 meet, taking a 14-0 record with them into this past weekend’s team and individual competitions at Galaxy Bowling in Richmond.

Neither the boys or the girls would qualify for a trip to the KHSAA state championship meet as a team, and the boys fell short of that goal as individuals as well. When all was said and done on Sunday afternoon only one Corbin bowler was able to say that she is headed to state, and that bowler is Josie Philpot, a 15-year-old freshman who is currently performing well beyond her years.

Josie, who finished third in the region as an individual over the weekend (the top four competitors from each region advance to state competition), said that she has been bowling her entire life. She said that her grandfather was the one that taught her about the sport and got her interested in playing competitively, which she began doing around the age of eight. Two years ago, as a seventh grader, she began bowling for the Rollin’ Redhounds.

“This year my only goal was to make it to state,” said Josie. “Now that I’m going I want to give God the glory for the opportunity. I also want to thank all of the parents, my coaches, and my team. To know that I have so many supporters makes this an even better experience. I appreciate the fact that I have so many people who want to see me succeed.”

When asked about the success that her team has enjoyed this season leading up to the region meet, Josie said, “It has been a great opportunity to compete with such an amazing and talented group of girls. I love them all, and I feel like the reason we were able to go undefeated is because we have such a great connection. My teammates and I all share a love for this sport. It’s an amazing feeling to bowl with girls who have the same heart for it as I do.”

Coach Venable said of her young star bowler, who will be the first ever from Corbin to compete at the state level, “She is a good team leader. The other girls all look to her for leadership, and they are very proud of her ability to bowl. In the years to come she will be taking on even more of a leadership role on this team. I don’t know if she has realized her full potential yet, but I am very much looking forward to spending the next three years with her.”

Boys team Head Coach Kenny Kysar added, “Josie has been a blessing to this team, both girls and boys. She is just a joy to be around. Bowling is in her blood, and we’re all very excited and proud of her for making it to this level. To send one of our own bowlers from Corbin High School to state competition is remarkable.”

 

Josie is scheduled to be in action this Thursday, February 12 at the Collins-Eastland Bowling Center in Lexington. Gates open to the public at 9:15 AM, and competition will begin shortly thereafter. The News Journal will have more updates on the KHSAA state championship bowling competition as it becomes available.