April Wu
Hinsdale
When did you start bowling?
I started during COVID. My dad is actually a bowler, so I would bowl with him and then just decided to join the bowling team.
What do you enjoy about the sport?
I like the social aspect of bowling and how it can bring people together while also being competitive. When I'm bowling with friends or playing in a league or on the Central team, it's a fun and relaxed environment. I've also made a lot of friends with players from other schools.
How have you improved over three years on the team?
When I started I was around a 130 average. Now I average, like 170 or 180, usually. I have better technique and feel like I've learned a lot about having emotional discipline. After having bad shots, I can tell myself to calm down more and am a lot better a correcting my own mistakes. I feel like that has helped me in my academics, too.
How would your teammates describe you?
I would say competitive, reliable and supportive.
What gets you pumped up?
The biggest thrill is getting strikes and spares, knocking down all the pins.
What's you goal for the season?
It's always to make it to state in Rockford. I made it to sectionals last year and was two places away from getting to state.
What else are you into?
I've been playing the violin since sixth grade. I love playing the violin, and I'm in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. I love being on a team and working with other people. I also love reading - my favorite genre is probably mystery or horror, anything by Steven King - and doing math. And I love dancing in my free time, like modern hip hop.
How are you feeling as you approach graduation?
I'm excited to graduate but I'm also sad that I'm going to leave all my friends.
Why does varsity girls bowling head coach Paul Parpet like having Wu on the squad?
April is a very classy young lady. She works very hard to be the best she can be in everything she does. It's been a pleasure having the opportunity to coach her the past three years. Her goal is to be a state qualifier.
- profile by Ken Knutson, photo by Jim Slonoff
