Arickx to continue rolling with Grand View University
Rockford senior Sam Arickx shakes the hand of Grand View bowling coach Melody Felton as Mason City boys bowling coach Rich Patras, left, and Sam’s mother and father Kelly and Paul Arickx look on after Sam signed on to continue his academic and bowling career at the Des Moines-based university.
By John Burbridge sports@charlescitypress.com
ROCKFORD — The spelling of Sam Arickx’s surname is peculiar.
The “X” at the end seems to be typo when it’s not..
But for someone trying to make a name for himself in bowling, the “X” — the sport’s well-known sign for a strike — is rather appropriate.
On Wednesday, the Rockford senior signed his letter of intent to bowl for Grand View University next school year.
“I like the small class sizes, and it’s not too far from home,” said Arickx, who will study business administration at the Des Moines school.
Rockford doesn’t have a bowling team, so for the past four prep seasons Arickx has rolled for Mason City.
“I’ve been bowling in Mason City for nine years,” Arickx said of his youth league play at Mystic Lanes, which is also the home house for the Mohawks, “so for me that was the best place to go for high school.”
This past season, the right-hander flirted with a 200 average for the highest of his career.
“I put in a lot of hours of practice,” Arickx said of his sessions than can go for four hours. “I practiced a lot on spares … picking up splits.”
During the offseason, Arickx works with a private coach — Waldorf University bowling coach Joe Squires, who coached at Mason City Arickx’s freshman and sophomore years.
“The best advice he gives me is to work hard,” Arickx said.
As a member of the Vikings bowling team, Arickx will bowl his home matches at Plaza Lanes in Des Moines, the regular site of the High School State Bowling Tournament.
During his time with the Mohawks, Arickx never had a chance to bowl at state.
“But I bowled (at Plaza Lanes) several times before,” he said.
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