Baxter strikes down typical teen stereotypes
Thomasville native, Tyshaun Baxter, recently competed in two major bowling tournaments.
{Contributed photo/Shenda Baxter}
Tyshaun Baxter isn’t your average teenager.
And he definitely isn’t your average teenager who enjoys bowling. He can converse about Abralon pads, oiling the lanes and “hitting the pockets.” An avid bowler since he was 10, Baxter recently returned to his hometown of Thomasville after competing in the Junior Gold (JG) Championships in Indianapolis. As stated on its website, “The Junior Gold Championships is an annual national tournament for the top male and female youth bowlers in the United States.”
In Baxter’s division, there were 650 participants. He noted at some of the bowling alleys there were as many as 60 to 70 lanes. After three days, his participation came to a halt due to an emergency. At the time, he was 113 in the competition. Although his experience at JG ended early, Baxter said the event highlighted some areas that need improving.
“It was fun. I learned I need to relax more and how I need to make adjustments quicker. You can’t really waste shots. You’ve got to make a shot the next frame to make up for it.”
Born and raised in the Chair City, Baxter became a fixture at the bowling alley at an early age. His mother, Sheneda, and his father, Tiwon, would take him and his younger brothers (twins Terrell and Terrence) with them to practices for their bowling league.
“They used to put me and my little brothers on the side and we would bowl while they were bowling. We would play around and cause trouble. People started letting us use their bowling balls and I grew a love for bowling.”
His appreciation for the sport increased when he started participating in leagues at 10. In his first year of competition, his team won the championship. His teammates Steven, Stefon and Kendall were 16 and 17, at that time. What Baxter has focused on is the fact that age often has no effect on what takes place at the alley.
“You can see kids who are 18 get beat by kids that haven’t even hit puberty, yet. It’s a fair game. You have to know how to work the lanes.”
Working the lanes has served to be beneficial for the soon-to-be high school student. In June, Baxter, 14, won the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Jr. Mooresville U15 Mixed tournament. It was his first major competition. As soon as he stepped into the bowling alley, he knew he’d entered into a different world.
Baxter competes at the Junior Gold Championships in Indianapolis. {Contributed photo/Sheneda Baxter}
“Everybody had on jerseys and were sponsored by certain bowling companies. I came in there with a Polo shirt on.”
His choice of attire came with preconceived notions.
“I overheard some people talking about how I was going to need help or how I wasn’t going to bowl well. It pushed me. I’m a competitive person. People don’t really see it. They say, ‘Oh, when you lose you don’t really get mad or anything.’ I don’t really show that emotion. Next time you come back out here, I’m a try my best to beat you.”
Baxter’s competitive streak isn’t just reserved for his peers. It makes its appearance when he bowls against his parents, too. They often compete in teams. According to Baxter, whether his team wins or not depends on the type of day he’s having. His mother confirmed his assessment while expressing her pride in his accomplishments.
“It’s hard to beat him. You have to come with your A-game. I’m very proud of Tyshaun. He found something he really enjoys, loves and puts in the work. I’m happy he’s seeing the fruits of his labor, too. It’s something to find something you love at such an early age that can carry him. It’s not the end all be all because he’s also a great student.”
Additionally, Baxter likes to write books and is trying to learn how to play the piano. His parents recently gifted him with a keyboard.
However, when talking about bowling, the excitement is undeniable. On Wednesdays, he practices at Northside Lanes in Winston-Salem where he’s found a community of support, encouragement and laughter.
“Some of the seniors make bowling a lot more fun than it already is. They make jokes, trash talk. It’s really fun. They’ve taught me a whole lot while my coach, Frank Fetherson, has been gone. He’s a truck driver. I’ve had the coaches and people there show me certain techniques to do, how to look like a bowler and teaching me the ways of the bowling world. It’s not a game about age or how long you’ve been practicing. It’s about who works the hardest. How hard are you willing to work to knock all those pins down?”
And not everyone can bowl a 279, which Baxter has accomplished three times since the age of 12.
“I got all the way to the last frame [the first time]. Somebody was talking and I was caught off guard. I think it was the twins but I’m not sure. I’m sticking to that story, though.”
So, what’s next for the champion? Well, he has a list.
“I want to be in the PBA and on the USA youth team. Before that, I want to bowl on tv.”
