The DeSanti Doubles tournament at Laurel Lanes in Winsted proved to be a thrilling showcase of skill, determination, and resilience, with young bowlers making their mark alongside seasoned competitors. The tournament, held over March 15-16, featured 56 teams competing in a three-game handicapped doubles format. With a strong field of competitors, the tournament saw intense battles for the top spots, but it was Ayden Wilson and Kyle Thomas who emerged victorious, posting a combined total of 1,004 pins, including handicap. Their victory was particularly significant as both bowlers were competing in their first year as adult bowlers, making their triumph even more impressive.

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For Ayden, a 17-year-old from Prospect, CT, this victory was among his most meaningful tournament accomplishments, ranking just behind his two national youth championships and his singles win in the Parkville Youth Classic. "This win is right up there with my biggest bowling achievements," he said. Despite concerns about the lane conditions, he found Laurel Lanes to be better than expected. "There was some funky pin action and a couple of breakdowns with the machines, but overall I thought the house was scoring decently," he noted. His biggest challenge was maintaining focus and capitalizing on opportunities. "I feel like we had to make sure to take advantage of breaks when we got them and keep ourselves locked in, even after a bad ball." One moment stood out in particular—Kyle throwing a perfect shot, only to watch his 5-pin slide all the way over to the 8-pin spot. "It was just one of those moments where you realize how unpredictable this game can be," he recalled.

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Kyle, 19, of Wallingford, CT, has been immersed in the sport his entire life, growing up at Johnson’s Lanes, which is owned by his grandmother. "I've been in a bowling alley pretty much since I could walk," he said. Like Ayden, he was proud of their victory, as it marked a major milestone in his transition to adult competition. "Winning this tournament is definitely up there as one of my bigger accomplishments, just because I got to come in and beat a lot of really good bowlers that I’ve been watching for years and wanted to be as good as." Going into the tournament, Kyle had heard rumors that the lanes would be difficult, but he refused to let that affect his mindset. "You hear that at almost every tournament, so I didn’t let it take hold of me," he explained. "I actually tend to do well at houses where people say scoring is tough." His biggest challenge was maintaining mental discipline and blocking out negativity. "If you listen to complaints about the lanes not scoring well, you're setting yourself up for problems." One of his most frustrating but memorable moments was the sheer number of times he left a 5-pin standing. "It seemed like every other box I had a 5-pin just staring at me," he laughed. For aspiring bowlers, Kyle emphasized the importance of mental strength. "The biggest thing I’m still working on myself is the mental aspect and taking my time. If you can master that, then everything else will come naturally."

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Another standout performance came from Stephanie St. Jean, who posted the highest individual handicapped score of the tournament with 536. The 20-year-old from Plainfield, CT, has only been bowling for about two years but has already made significant strides in the sport. "I started bowling because it was an opportunity to spend as much time with my parents as possible while still having fun," she said. She currently bowls in two leagues at Lucky Strike Lanes in Mansfield with her parents, Mark and Jaime St. Jean. Her greatest personal accomplishment so far has been receiving her Gold Level Award for a 418 set, a milestone she hopes to surpass soon. Stephanie also reflected on her experience bowling at Laurel Lanes for the first time. "I haven’t had bad experiences with any of the houses I’ve bowled at, and I actually liked it here," she said. "I’ve realized that I bowl better on synthetic lanes than on wood, but I don’t have an issue with either." However, she credited her recent improvements to coaching. "A few months ago, I was really struggling with my approach and kept throwing my ball to the left," she explained. "Kristen Cochefski really helped me find my approach, and that has made a huge difference."

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For Stephanie, the biggest challenge in bowling isn’t physical—it’s mental. "When I miss a spare that I know I should have had, I get really frustrated with myself," she admitted. "It affects my bowling for the rest of the day." Learning to let go of mistakes has been a process, and she expressed gratitude for the support she’s received. "John Deschenes has helped me focus on not letting my emotions control my game," she said. "I’ve been working on moving on to the next frame instead of dwelling on the last one." Her performance at the DeSanti Doubles was proof that her hard work is paying off, as she and her partner Kyle Shaw secured a third-place finish with a total of 990.

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The DeSanti Doubles tournament not only highlighted top performances but also showcased the dedication and camaraderie of the duckpin bowling community. From Ayden and Kyle’s breakthrough victory to Stephanie’s record-setting performance, the tournament reinforced the importance of mental resilience, strategic adjustments, and continuous improvement. Mike Stacy and Dylan Thompson made a strong run for the title, finishing just 10 pins behind the winners with a total score of 994 to secure second place. Meanwhile, Donovan Pavlik delivered the most impressive individual game of the tournament, posting a high score of 182 and the best scratch set of the weekend with 447. These performances, along with the many other memorable moments throughout the tournament, demonstrated the depth of talent in the field. As the season progresses, these bowlers—both young and experienced—are sure to make even more waves in upcoming competitions.

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