Strike!
Bisons recruit nation’s top bowler
BERNIE KUNTZ STAFF
PHOTO BY DESIREE IRMA LORALIE
The Manitoba Bisons were able to recruit Milton Benjamin III, unquestionably the nation’s top junior bowler.
The addition of Benjamin III bolsters an already loaded roster that dominated this past season, taking home all the major titles, including the illustrius Bedrock Bowling National Championship, their fifth concecutive national championship. With Benjamin now a member, the Bisons bowling team has become virtually undefeatable.
Benjamin III, 18, is a bowling phenom from Toronto, Ont. That is like no other. Throwing the ball since he was a toddler, Benjamin III has dominated at each level he’s competed on. His accolades include 39 perfect 300 games, eight Junior National titles, and a hefty 242 average.
He was introduced to the team at a press conference on Friday.
“I’m just so pleased to be joining such a great program here at the University of Manitoba. The coaches, my teammates, everything is great. I just hope that I can add to what’s already been built here,” said Benjamin III at the press conference.
His humble nature and maturity was a stark contrast to the attitude of the always-controversial Bisons head coach, Pins McGavin. McGavin, who, although pleased with his coup, was quick to add his two cents.
“The best bowlers want to bowl with the best, and that’s simply what we are. Nobody wants to be a loser, especially Milton, and if he had gone to any other school, that’s exactly what he would have ended up becoming,” said McGavin at the press conference.
When asked about his new coach had to say, Benjamin III simply laughed. “Coach is always saying something crazy like that. I think he’s just trying to get into the heads of the other teams.”
Teddy Johnson, a senior member of the Bisons bowling team, had the same views on his coach’s actions, but put it in a slightly different manner.
“I think he’s just being an asshole,” said Johnson. “But you know what, it works. There’s no way that we win five straight national championships without Coach McGavin. He’s a great motivator.”
But, from what his bowling history dictates, Benjamin III hasn’t needed, and will not need, any extra motivation. His natural skill has made him the poster boy for Canadian tenpin bowling, earned him numerous appearances on ESPN, and even have some people calling him the Wayne Gretzky of bowling.
“When he went out and threw a perfect game as a six year old, that’s when I knew he was something special,” said Christina Benjamin, Milton’s mother, who was also at the press conference. “His skills have continued to mature with age, and I don’t think he’s even come close to peaking. The sky is the limit with Milton.”
Of course, in a humble approach that we should all start becoming accustomed to, Benjamin III credits everything other then his skill.
“Throughout my career, I’ve always had terrific guidance. My mom, my coaches, there’s always been someone there to lend me a helping hand when I have needed it, said Bejmain III.
“But my secret weapon has always been my balls. They’ve always been bigger then my competitors’ balls.”
The balls that Benjamin is talking about, of course, are the four 16 pound bowling balls that he uses. He’s been throwing 16 pounds, the maximum weight allowed, since the age of 8.
“Now I just hope that my balls find their new home comforting”
The Bisons hope they do too.
