Meridian High bowling team looks to strike on opportunities

Published 10:11 am Monday, December 22, 2025

The Meridian High School bowling teams are taking a break before going back to work after the holiday season.

And with the improvement shown by the Wildcats, they are ready to strike down their opponents. Nothing is to be spared!

The team is once again coached by Kaleigh Covington, in her fourth season at Meridian.

Thus far, the Lady Wildcats are out to a 6-2 record, while the boys’ team sits at 2-6.

“The kids are putting in the work,” Covington said. “Their scores last year were around 56. This year, they’re hitting 200.”

Covington said the reason for the improvement has been due to her bowlers’ love for the sport they have learned and the desire to work hard.

“The kids are going to the bowling alley on their own and practicing,” she said. “Now, they complain more if they don’t have practice.”

Her attitude concerning the school’s bowling program has also taken a turn for the better. Covington said at first, there was no reason but to think positive thoughts. However, that all changed when she saw what she had signed up to do.

“At first I thought, ‘how bad could it be,'” she said. “Then I thought, ‘what have i gotten myself into?’

“But I just fell in love with this group of kids,” Covington added. “This is something they can do for the rest of their lives.”

Covington said her knowledge of bowling has also improved over the past four years.

“I did not know there were leagues and tournaments,” she said. “This is serious. It is a competition.

“I look at bowling as not being very athletic,” she added. “But I’m able to take these kids that are not athletic … and turn them into athletes.”

Covington said she has those on her teams who are capable of earning a bowling scholarship to college

However, those dreams have this far been met with disappointment.

“I had one last year who was offered a bowling scholarship by two schools,” she said, “but he decided to go to work. I have a few this year who can go to college. But it’s their decision to make.”

The head coach noted junior Braylen Brunson as a player who could one day earn a bowling scholarship. The key, Covington said, is to work hard and stay positive.

“We have quite a few who are capable of doing so,” she said. “But they have to continue to work hard.

“If colleges see you’re a hard worker and you’re a good person, that’s what matters. They’re looking for good people and decent bowlers. If you’re improving, that’s what matters, too.”

As for their future in bowling, Covington had one piece of advice for her team.

“Take bowling as this is a life lesson,” she said. “What you put into it is what you’re going to take out of it.”

As of now, the Wildcats and Lady Wildcats are having their matches on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday in Jackson and Philadelphia. Covington said Meridian will likely host matches beginning in the 2026-27 season.

Covington said that her teams’ attitude has changed since she took over as head coach.

“We are better,” she said. “Most of these kids have been with me since I’ve been here. They love the game. And I’m still learning the game. I’ve been here four years and I’m still learning.”

The sport of bowling has been in a slow decline in recent years. Studies show there are fewer leagues and tournaments. Covington said she has an idea that could change that locally.

“There aren’t a lot of older generation bowlers anymore,” she said. “The younger generation of bowlers aren’t doing the same things like the older generation used to.

“Meridian needs a youth league,” Covington added. “I’m hoping I will be able to start that with the kids here at MHS.”