Sophomore Warwick bowler Ben White has rolled his way through opponents in the post-season, capturing Lebnanon-Lancaster League and District championships, and placing fourth at Regionals. Today he proved himself among the top bowlers in the state with an 11th-place finish in the Single Boys State High School Bowling Championships held at Dutch Lanes in Ephrata.

“Top 24 kids in the state, so it’s a pretty big accomplishment to get here, said Warwick High School Coach Bill Bernstein. “It’s the best of the best, it’s a big stage. I think he bowled great.”

White rolled a 1272 series, landing him in the middle of the 24 bowlers competing from across the state. White turned in invividual game scores of 233, 204, 188, 257, 198, and 192. Results of the preliminary play were used to determine seeds for the final round of ladder play.

“We bowled on a pair with the number one seed who was just blowing through the roof, and Ben just tried to hang with him as best he could and had a couple of big games, had a couple of games that were a let down to him but at the State Championship level, they’re still pretty good games,” said Bernstein.

As the number one seed was on the path to rolling a perfect game, White had to maintain focus on his own score, which can be tough to do.

“There’s no defense in this game. When the kids around you start to roll, just go with them,” said Bernstein.

White, who began bowling at Warwick in an after-school program as an eighth-grader, has accomplished a lot in a short time rolling at the high school level.

“He had two big wins in the league championship, and then a week later the district championship, so his expectation for himself is to win. And you get to a stage like this where everybody’s expectation is to win, that’s why they’re here. It’s tough, it’s difficult. But I think as a sophomore he handled himself really well.

Ben’s parents were both on hand to witness his success at the State Championships.

“He’s had a ground-breaking year,” said mom Rebecca White after her son’s 11th-placed finish at States. “We are not sure that anyone has done what he has done what he’s done this year, to win the Lancaster-Lebanon League tournament, to win the District tournament, to be fourth in Regionals, and to be eleventh in states.”

“He’s got all the talent in the world, and he’s got two years to build on that. It’s good for him, it’s good for the program, and it’s good for the sport. He’s going to do well. Now he’s got the experience, and I know he’s got the determination to get back here again next year,” said Bernstein.

Ben White is already making plans to return to States next year, but not alone.

“We talked about it today at the end about how he can get his team here as well,” said Bernstein.

His parents are happy with his performance this year.

“His dad and I are so proud of him, and we keep reminding him that this is a talent God has given him,” said Rebecca. “Our desire for him is that he will use this talent to glorify God.”