A-K Valley Senior Spotlight: Apollo-Ridge’s Mia Ament

By: Ted Sarneso
Monday, February 5, 2024 | 9:19 AM

There is no one with more passion and fire for the sport on the Apollo-Ridge bowling team than senior Mia Ament.

“She cares so much about the sport; she wants to help everybody out,” girls bowling coach Michelle Cominos said. “She wants the same drive from everyone else on the team, both boys and girls, that she has.”

Said Ament: “It can be frustrating because it’s hard to be on a team that doesn’t have the drive I have or if they don’t want to be there. The past years, we had kids that didn’t really care. They just joined the team to have something fun to do. This year, they’re more competitive.”

Ament’s passion comes from her parents.

“My mom and dad both bowled, so I kind of grew up at the bowling alley,” she said.

Another influence has been Ament’s Uncle Duggie Belles, who is the bowling coach at Kiski Area.

“He’s been my coach ever since I was little and is the reason I’m as good as I am,” Ament said.

In her freshmen year, Ament placed fifth and qualified for the finals at the WPIBL singles tournament (the top six advance), but lost in the quarterfinals.

She missed the cut her sophomore year, finishing eighth, and finished first last season before bowing out in the semifinals.

“We were anxious to see how her career would pan out after her freshman year,” Cominos said. “We knew she had potential. She did well so early on that we knew she would progress as she aged with maturity.”

This season, Ament is averaging 192.67, good for fifth in the Northeast Section, with a high game of 250 (fifth) and a 671 high series (fourth).

She took some time out for a Senior Spotlight Q-and-A:

You were close to the finals last year and did very well the prior two seasons. How motivated are you for this year?

My goal the last four years was to do better than the year before. I want to place at least third in the states, since I placed fourth last year and sixth the year prior. I’m motivated to do the best of my ability, but your goal is always to win.

How do you stay focused during matches?

I stand next to my coach and mess with my rosin bag and try to distract myself from what’s going on and how I’m bowling.

How have you been able to be so consistent throughout your high school career?

It takes years of practice. I’ve learned to throw the ball and quit trying to place the ball in the lane. It has helped me become more consistent.

Was it your main goal to win a WPIBL title this year?

That’s always the goal, but I’ve been more focused on my smaller goals like trying to average 200 for the year and making first team, because I’ve made second team the last three years.

What would it mean to you if you did win?

I would mean a lot. I would be really proud of myself, but prouder of my uncle, honestly.

Do you bowl in leagues outside of school?

I bowl for a junior league at Deer Lakes.

What’s the best game you’ve ever bowled, both overall and in high school?

A 268 for my junior league, and my high school high game is 253.

What’s it like bowling at Junior Gold?

There are a lot of people there. It’s also kind of nerve-racking because there’s so much going on around you that you have to stay focused to be on your game or else you won’t do well.

How many times have you been to Junior Gold?

I’ve gone the last four years.

What are your college plans?

Alvernia University to study nursing, and I’ll be bowling there as well.

Favorite high school memory so far?

This year when we faced Kiski. We battled the entire match and pulled out a close win. Both boys and girls teams were cheering and invested in the game. It made me happy to see that they have the same drive I do to win.

What’s a fact about yourself that would surprise people to know?

My favorite place is the beach and that I love to travel.

What’s one piece of advice you’d want to leave your teammates upon graduating?

Believe in yourself and know that if you work hard enough, you’re capable of anything.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge