This post is a throwback to a couple weeks ago, and a really proud mom moment watching Jersey bowl the EYT Youth-Adult in Lockport, IL.

Up until now, she has placed in EYT competitions. But at the last EYT in Lockport, she won in her division – currently the U12 division.

What I observed was the fact that when this EYT paired her up with someone older, it really brought out a new side to Jersey. And it reminded me of what teamwork can really bring out in a person. When you’re dealing with a partner, you want to take your game to another level – not just for yourself, but for your partner.

When you’re bowling alone, nobody else is directly affected by you. But when you’re bowling on a team, no matter who you are – whether it’s me and EJ, or one of you paired with someone  – you sort of get into this state of heightened focus. Because it’s not just you on the line. It’s both of you. Your every move directly affects that other person.

And that is definitely what I saw in Jersey. That’s the state of mind – and state of focus – that she slipped into. She just really wanted to do well for her partner Kayla, who grew her talents at the Elite Youth Tour many, many years ago and is now a professional bowler and also a very dear friend of ours.

The two of them were in their own world, just playing what was in front of them. It was a bit like watching a mini-me, the way I talk about the importance of bowling like a robot – objectively processing what is within your direct focus without distraction. That’s what I was seeing Jersey start to do, and Kayla was really helpful in keeping her in that zone. It was such a different view of Jersey competing. Typically, she tends to be a bit distracted by interacting with all of her friends while not being as hyper-focused on the game. That definitely wasn’t the case this time. In this team tournament, she was really zoned in and intentional. For. Every. Shot. 

There wasn’t a single shot thrown where Jersey wasn’t really thinking about it.

As it got to the last few shots, it would have been so easy for distraction to re-enter, from the excitement of her friends or the pressure. Yet, she did an amazing job of focusing only on the present moment and just playing what was in front of her. She didn’t pay attention to the scoreboard or friends. Until it was over at the end, when she and Kayla had won.

When it came down to the last shot of the semi-final game, she knew that she needed a spare to win and knew how important that shot was to their team. And her level of focus was literally that of a champion. I have watched that shot that I recorded over and over and over again. Because in that moment, it was truly the first time she bowled with pressure on her shoulders. I couldn’t wait to see how she showed up in that moment.

Teamwork elevated her game, brought out that focus – and showed her what she is made of. She’d never taken her game to that level of focus yet simply because she hadn’t experienced a situation like that yet, and this brought out the best in her. Literally.

Honestly, watching her perform under pressure as part of a team like that, I became somewhat emotional.

Sometimes we need those higher-pressure situations to see what we are really made of.

After that tournament, Jersey was really proud – and I started to see Jersey’s champion-like motivation kick in even more. A couple of days later, when I said that I was going to practice, Jersey piped in that she wanted to really go to practice too. She had never done that before – for bowling practice. (Usually, she was only eager for dance practice). But now that she has proved that she can win on the lanes, she wants to put in even more work on her bowling game.

On her own, she has realized the connection between putting in more effort and the possibility of winning.

As she tagged along for practice, it felt a bit of deja vu for me. When I was close to her age and saw my sister Kassy winning, I realized that same connection – and started tagging along with Kassy to practice. That’s when I started really showing up and putting in the work on my own game. 

Later, showing up on a team as a collegiate bowler, as well as on Team USA, is also what brought my game to another level. Showing up on a team or with a partner isn’t always easy. It takes everyone putting in the work and keeping the focus. But when we all show up with all we have, we’re all stronger. That’s a win too. 

I can’t wait to see where this journey takes Jersey now as she continues to show up on this new level for herself – and for any team she becomes a part of.