Dan Hambleton has experienced his share of challenges in his young life, but he uses inspiration from his "grandpa," his biggest fan, to overcome them.

"He got really sick over the summer," Hambleton said. "The night he passed away, I rolled back-to-back 300s. I can still hear his words and think about his optimism whenever I'm struggling."

At 14, Hambleton had the highlight of participating in the "People to People Sports Ambassador" program.

"We traveled to Auckland, New Zealand, and Sydney, Australia, to compete against the local teams. It was amazing to bowl on the other side of the world and meet different kids that shared the same interest."

Background: Hambleton, of East Lampeter Township, is a 2005 Conestoga Valley graduate. He is the son of Brian Hambleton and Jackie Mowery. He is an IT administrator for a local refrigeration company.

Leagues (averages): Dutch Lanes Commercial League (235).

High scores: Single, Multiple 300s; series, 814 (257, 300, 257) on June 5, 2008.

Achievements: Junior Olympic gold, division title in high school and assorted tournament wins as a junior and adult.

Favorite bowling center: Dutch Lanes.

Type of bowling ball: Storm equipment. I like to find a ball that gives me some versatility and stick with it. Storm covers seem to break down slower, so I have a couple key balls with a ton of games on them.

The persons who taught me the most: My junior league coaches, who volunteered their time every Saturday morning to help us. They taught me the fundamentals for what my game is today.

I look back fondly on high school bowling because: The spirit of competition was very high and we had a lot of fun. I bowled for Conestoga Valley in high school. My senior year, bowling became a PIAA sport and we won the division under coach Donna Pannebecker. We traveled to state competitions and got to meet a lot of the other teams in Pennsylvania

Great teams have: A more relaxed, just-for-fun vibe. In league bowling there is handicap, so consistency is key over a 32-week season. Teams that thrive in competition have unity, leadership and all members focused on the common goal.

Bowling has helped me: Travel all over the world, and introduced me to so many people. Today it gives me an outlet and feeds the competitive side of me.

My interest in the sport began: When my mom worked at Rocky Springs Lanes. While she was working, they would turn a lane on for me to keep me occupied. The sport also runs in my family. My great-grandfather rolled a 700 series on his 60th birthday. That was quite an accomplishment in the 1960s. My grandpa beat Dick Weber at a pro-am in Formosa while he was in the service.

My secret to success is: Ball weight, which often goes unmentioned. Many bowlers jump straight to the 16-pounder, but there is nothing wrong with trading a pound of bowling ball for more accuracy. Also, I noticed my average jumped about 15-20 pins when I started going to the gym. Jack Jurek won another title after 14 years of waiting, and when asked about his success, he attributed it to finally getting back in shape.

Suggestions for others: Watch yourself on film with a coach. It's difficult to stay accurate with improper mechanics. Getting the newest ball is overrated.

Other bowlers would describe me as: That's a tough question. I'm uncharacteristically quiet and calm while I'm bowling. I can't remember a time where I've lost my temper when missing an easy shot or losing a match.

My long-term bowling goal is to: Improve. Anyone that's had some success in any sport has thought about what it would be like to compete at the highest level. I definitely have room for improvement before I'd even have a shot.

The funniest thing that happened in bowling was: I was a mischievous kid. I got my arm stuck in a crane machine while trying to take a prize. I had to stop bowling until the mechanic got my arm out.

People would be most surprised to learn that I: Watch the spot where the ball touches the lanes. The ideal focal point is the arrows or even as far down as the break point. It's a surprise that I have any accuracy, and I'm working on breaking the habit.

When I'm not bowling you will find me: Spending a lot of my free time working with guys that are currently struggling with something I struggled with as a teenager. I learned that your darkest moments can become your greatest assets, if you use them, and I pass this advice on to others. I also enjoy spending time with my girlfriend, Laura, fishing with my family, hanging out with friends, and traveling.

Alley notes: Perfect games were rolled by Mike Pollock, John Kirkner and Chris Wilson at Garden Spot; Mark Gagnon, Steve Levering and Don Rittenhouse IV at Leisure; and Terry Martin at Blue Ball.

A high series (men, 800; women, 700) was rolled by Kerry Smith (719) at Blue Ball; Tammy Rogers (716) at Dutch; and Lisa Farwell (779) at Clearview.

Note: If you have a suggestion for the column, e-mail Sunday News Correspondent Barry Decker at deckrunner@aol.com or call him at 786-2620.

High scores

Garden Spot

Men: Roger Harvey Sr. 670, Lee Metz 665 (Wildcat); Chase Hall 661 (Streamliners); Rick Swayne 673, Jerry Thomas 655 (RPM); Mike Anderer 667, Ron Summers 664 (Pequea Valley Mixed); Tom Abrams 694, Ron Thomas 660 (Levi's Classic); Dale Bollinger 667 (Mechanic Grove); Ron Sheetz 688, Mike Pollock 686, Eric Hiller 680, Tim Laurento 672; Gregg Tavalare 665, Rich Wolf 659, Kurt Yoder 659, Mike Downing 656 (Garden Spot Men); Brent Grumling 692, Ron Phippen 660, Lee Metz 651 (Sunday Night Mixed); Brian Daye 694, Ray Wolf 684, Gregg Tavalare 675, Les Dillman 658, Chris Jensen 657 (Strasburg Community); Jim Johnson 697, Dave Brooks 684, Dennis Nixdorf 676, Tim Weaver 667, Justin Hart 666, Al Lindsey 663, Charlie Rhoades 661 (Central).

Women: Helen Walters 575 (NFL); Cris Stock 569 (Wildcat); Jodi Book 587, Stacy Sauder 562 (Strasburg Community).

Seniors: Sue MacDonald 534, Lois Miller 523, Hank Ploskon 490, Fran Neupauer 470, Otis Harrison 452, Janet Denlinger 428 (Swingin' Seniors); Merle Farmer 632, Glen Lutz 631, Sam Tomlinson 570, Don Neupauer 553, Emil Beers 519, Ed Bredin 500, Jonas Zook 490, Martha Boose 486, Bobbie Browning 485, Alverda Zook 481, Rita Phenneger 472, Nancy Snider 468, Bob Sheaffer 468, Isabel Bingeman 441, Mary Garbrick 433, Ruth Denlinger 429 (Thursday Seniors).

Juniors: Coty Johnson 746, Brandon Wiley 562, Katelyn Welsh 452, Kelsey Ferrier 274 (Family Twosome); Coty Johnson 671, Robert Muckel Jr. 515, Hayley Nester 505, Katelyn Welsh 452, Elizabeth Maberry 390, Austin Mastriana 327, Storm Slaymaker 289, Nathan Scheid 264, Nick Scheid 228, Zack Whitney 200 (Saturday).

Rocky Springs

ABC: What Not, Ken Herr 759, Kermit Rishell 648, Keith Coble 627; Holtwood 10 Pin, James Hicks Jr. 611; Nut League, Darin Groff 641, Bob Sultzbach 609, Ron Speece 609.

Seniors: Bob Rudisill Seniors, Ken Yoder 611, Al Apacible 529, Frank Himmelsbach 507, Shirley White 522, Brenda Plantholt 461; Duffy's Ladies, Ellen Snyder 457; Rocky Springs Seniors, Ralph Kline 498, Rene Oliveros 494, Anne Fullam 488, Chat Apacible 456; Club 55, Bob Brubaker 532, Guido Coccio 496, Dawn Oswald 510, Anne Fullam 504, Beryl Coccio 496, Sarah Kelley 473.

WIBC: Retail Ladies, Carol Bushman 675, Irene Kiphorn 614, Donna Kurtz 611; Women and Wine, Celina Grau 472; Friendship, Joanne Bowman 522, Sue Gamble 464; Juniors, Pete Tollinger 498, Tony Ruof 537, Cory Goshert 525, Andrew O'Conner 432, Katlyn McMichael 433, Trishia Mayberry 510, Michael Scarpone 560, Sean Obetz 637, Michael Deck 612, Joey Byerly 456, Casey Welsh 632.

Mixed: Winter Flower, Curvin High 598, Carol Beiler 572; General Contractors, Phillip Brandt 619, Carl Lucci 614; Semi Classic, Steven Keen Jr. 707 Doug Rehm 692, Tim Breen 680, Dan Breen 678, Josh Hart 671, Linda Goodling 653; Meadia Heights, Gary Ketterer 623, Liz Knerr 414; New Beginnings, Eric England 611, Carol Beiler 587; Have a ball, John Christman 415, Vickey Christman 335; Rocky Early Birds, Ray Hake 608, Cristal Burkholder 638; Mixed Rainbow, Donna Prokay 554; Rocky Rollers, James Canfield 495, Stacie Drebenstebt 536.

Leisure

Men: Wil Kellenberger 721, Bob Harrison Jr. 703, Barry Waltz 701 (McCombs Supply); Scott Canfield 786, Brian Brooks 781, Charlie Riexinger 770, Rick Graham 750, Bob Kilheffer 733, Durbin Fisher 708, Rick Diffenderfer 703 (AMF Ind); Leo Young 673, Mark Gagnon 300 (Klines RV); Larry Krebs 667 (Tues Mens Hdcp); Steve Levering 300, 743, Jim Landis 716, Wil Kellenberger 714, Phil Lenhart 709, Ralph Hoffman 695, Doug Herr 680 (City County Ind); Charlie Riexinger 708, Bob Allison 697 (Indoor World); Kevin Ile 708, Denny Rittenhouse Jr. 707, Mike Bonham 688 (Lanc Ind); Ron Drotos 666 (Millersville Men); Rick Graham 729, Mike Von Graevenitz 690, Rob Gingrich 690, Dave Graham 678 (Leisure Lanes Challenge); Don Rittenhouse IV 300, 749, Kevin Hackman 727, Tim Roth 727, Scott Kennedy 689, Bill Seybert 680 (Conestoga Ind); Tim Wolf 708, Troy Kneir 683 (Midway Hotel Men).

Women: Betty Graham 601, (Precious Gems); Pat Hiemenz 478 (Sparklers); Dennett Anderson 628 (Sparemakers); Gerry Skiles 482 (Jewels); Sue Lapp 671, Ann Rummel 669, Anne McConnell 646, Gail Fetterhoff 638, Sandy Myers 617 (Myers Auto Body Ladies).

Mixed: Ron Smith Jr. 703, Kristina Miller 585 (Funtime); Gary Noll 632, Barbara Geiter 526 (Ball and Chain); Bryan Kauffman 745, Beth Graham 606 (Zodiac); Mike Kreider 657, Catherine Kreider 611 (Turtle); Eric England 733, Linda Bowman 527 (AM Ind); Bob Allison Jr. 676, Sandy Wisler 540 (Leisure Times); Mark Smoker 687, Ann Rummel 596 (Mixed Nuts); Troy Lefever 729, Mike Bonham 719, Laurie Budovec 567 (Southern End); Dan Massey 522, Angie Esbenshade 442 (Late Mixed Nuts); Jim Frable 609, Deb Baldwin 475 (BCA); Steve Salamh 620, Nikki Luecker 567 (Tues Misery); Kevin Rosado 757, Cathy Rowles 514 (Garys Pro Shop); Ron Ryan 617, Ashley Rinehart 598 (Wed Mix); Victor Fritz 603, Tracy Pitz 548 (Thurs Funtime); Ron Lehman 751, Michelle Myers 513 (Roses and Thorns); Kevin Kurtz 777, Russ Alleman 729, Carol Bushman 659 (Thurs Mix); Harold Hess 714, Dean Hershey 701, Ashley Eby 577 (Derrs Auto Transport); Jef Kaufhold 644, Lisa Cunningham 529 (Knights of Columbus); Earl Neidig Jr. 606, Nicole Bonner 521 (Mountville); Scott Brill 665, Melanie Akers 586 (Mixers); Merle Farmer 575, Sue Otthofer 519 (Mix and Match).

Seniors: Skip Newcomer 526, Merilynn Hart 472 (Woodcrest); John Herr 585, Bruce Greiner 557, Pat Files 418 (AARP); Bob Steely 688, Pat Cooper 629, Galen Zook 609, Ken Welk 601, Frank Shafer 585, Dave Hefner 582, Don Bissinger 576, Champ Bauer 574, Fred Kendall 560, Harold Waltz 559, Rudy Ries 558, Janet Warfel 531 (Tender Tears); Roy Belli 552, Pat Strub 533 (Lakes Campus); Ron Hart 569, Bob Fornoff 552, Doris Kendall 590, Kate Bozochovic 569 (Millersville Srs); Bob Steely 662, Richard Kleckner 637, Ralph Kurtz 624, Galen Eberly 617, Bob Zimmerman 610, Charlie Albin 596, Rudy Ries 593, Joe Dyer 585, John Coldren 582, Fred Snyder 568, Joe Sabatine 567, Don Killian 565, Harry Stigelman 562, Bob Buzzendore 562, Don Cunningham 561, Heiner Stoll 560, Bob Kloepfer 556, Kate Bozochovic 555 (Thurs Srs).

Juniors: Jordan Turner 456, Marli Schreiner 334 (Bantam Prep Div); Aaron Jackson 554, Lisa Denlinger 601 (Jr Div); Chris Duncan 683, Becky Gerhart 645, Christina Leid 641 (Major Div).

Clearview

Men: Steve Halbleib Jr. 736, Bill Byers 674 (Donegal HDCP); Patrick Kinsley 717, Mike Johnson 695, Rich Nye 685, Dave Woff 653, TJ Hershey 650 (Wednesday Sportsmen); Len Mumma 605, Harold Frey 604 (Men's Church); Ken Trimble 716, Mike Sheeler 695, Dave Kready 689, Josh Becker 650 (Monday HDCP); Doug Hosking 728, Harry Ebersole Jr. 722, John Henry 707, Jack Stockdale 704, Mike Lewis Jr. 699, Mike Sheeler 690, Lloyd Schaffner 686, Dave Noye 670, Henry Blough 651, Bob Elzer 650, Jack Murphy 650 (Tuesday Businessmen).

Women: Amy Livingston 635, Lisa Farwell 616 (Ladies Classic); Robin Baker 542, Angie Knecht 541 (Pinbelles); Karen Wolgemuth 474, Nel Bender 417 (Kennels).

Mixed: Lisa Farwell 779, EJ Farwell 757, Chris Stum 715, Darlene Anderson 690, Brendan Ford 685, Don Wagner 682, Spencer Gamble 675, Dan Ranck 668, Josh Becker 653, Jim Ritzman 650 (Hennigan's Majors); Robin Baker 605, Jeff Wolfe 563, Dave Simone Sr. 537, Deb Bowers 465 (Monday Mixed); Ike Knaub 609, Sam Nelson 609, Ann Kelly 485, Doris Knaub 463 (Clearview Leisure); Mike Lewis Jr. 759, Dale Young 737, Corey Getz 706, Brian Heagy 705, Tim Mertz 686, Donald Smith 658, Tracy Beck 626 (City/County Travel); Mike Sheeler 683, Steve Decker 585, Laura Bleacher 563, Sue Lehman 507 (Sunday Crackers); Shawn Nichols 663, Curtis Gruber 638, Tracy Schaeffer 439 (Thursday Industrial); Phil Yeagley 692, Doug Keller 671, Pat Weber 589, Shirl Scott 574 (Mixed Outlaws); Scott Canfield 691, Merlin Bordner 687, Henry Blough 677, Deann Michener 673, Sam Weber Jr. 667, Mark Strausbaugh 664, Randy Hogg 651, Lisa Farwell 647, Darlene Anderson 646 (Friday Mixed); Brenda Mowrer 581, Dave Coble 567, Larry Mowrer 564, Carol Eddins 525 (Friday United Church); Carlton Cummings 613, Carl Meachum 584, Eva Cummings 357, Melinda Alleman 337 (Sunday Conoy Church).

Seniors: Al Powell 623, Lindy Condran 621, Milt Heilman 597, Larry Condran 576, Charlie Goodling 547, Jake Garman 545, Bill Gottschalk 543, Bert Goodling 542, Ruthie Garman 528 (Tuesday Seniors); Milt Heilman 531, Jan Olnick 452, Ann Epler 448, John Lee 444 (Early Birds).

Juniors: Steven Ritzman 722, Derek Miller 670, Adam Fink 669, Justin Stillwagner 669, Tyler Halbleib 636, Shaun Meier 634, Beth Moyer 630, Darren Miller 627, Austin Farwell 615, Amanda Jamison 563 (American); Alexis Lee 330, Katelyn Garman 303, Kyle Myers 261, Kaitlin Stoudt 216 (Prep).

Blue Ball

Men: Monday Mixers, Chadd Rudy 715; Blue Ball/Garden Spot, Josh Redcay 748, Curt Nolt 736, Steve Robertson 734, Lance Horst 727; New Holland Church, Steve Lapp 725; Tuesday Bowl for $, Jerry Clark 749; Tuesday Mixers, Philip Brandt 703; Tuesday Businessmen, Chadd Rudy 789, Terry Stegeman 766, Brent Himmelreich 758, Darren Uliaz 757, Terry Martin 751, Rick Butt 745, Jamie Noll 720, Todd Houck 713, John Gravely 713, Charlie Powell 712, Tim Laurento 710, Ray Metzger 709, Jim DiNicola 706, Bill Sipes 705; New Holland Boro, Ford Doherty 757, Philip Brandt 757, Chadd Rudy 743, Josh Redcay 710, Rick Reed 709, DJ Thatcher 704; Wednesday Mixed, Barry Getz 706; Lancaster County Travel, Terry Martin 300, 749, Curt Nolt 714, Buddy Dimeler 708, John Dimeler 707; Thursday Seniors, Jerry Clark Jr. 759, Dale Fegely 721, Wilson Strausser 671, Dave Kennedy Jr. 639, Ron Pressley 609, Al Nihoff 605; Twin Valley, Doug Ranck 745, Wayne Sellers 707, Rod Felpel 700; Starlighters, Ken Ault 744, Ed Daily 733.

Women: Monday Mixers, Wendy Hufford 678, Casey Barninger 678; Blue Ball/Garden Spot, Kerry Smith 719, Kristin Brill 639; Channelettes, Shirley Boughter 527; Wednesday Mixed, Ruth Good 634; Thursday Seniors, Jane Shingle 556.

Juniors: Saturday Juniors, Brian Walton 728, Justin Hammerstone 719, Matt Detrick 703, Brandon Wise 701, Cody Henry 651, Nick Martin 632, Joe McCardle 628, Elizabeth Donnelly 624, Matt Martin 609, Cody McKillips 604; Saturday Preps, Cory Summers 329, Samantha Heindel 314, TJ Delp 329.

Dutch

Men: Bill Frankhouser 596 (Sunday Night Mix); Dick Alexander 752, Jim Dinicola 750, Bob Kennedy 735, Shawn Harnish 726, Jon Rogers 715, Sam Smucker 711, Harry Rogers Jr. 702, Jeremiah Redacy 710 (Industrial Service); Joel Deibler 695, Ric Bromirski 694, Ray Bantz 676 (Brownstown Mix); Jeff Widders 676, Kevin Boyer 659, Bruce Snader 569 (Tri-Town Church); Gene Sholly 688, Andy Boehler 669, Jason Rieker 676 (Woodstream); Dylan Shirk 706, Randy Haldeman 638, Joseph Bilger 617 (Ephrata Mix); Rick Miller 783, Andy Pannebecker 725, Eric Montgomery 717, Josh Huber 701 (Lancaster County Travel); Gene Sholly 719, Bob Kennedy 709, Justin Kleinspehn 700 (Lincoln Forest); Chuck Winkler 696, Steve Martin 667, Gene Habecker 652 (Lancaster North End); Bill Mansbery 625, Lester Wise 618, Dustin Wise 691 (Simply Every Thing); Doug Andrew 732, Troy Lint 727, John Dimeler 719, Tim Watterson 710, Scott Canfield 708, Carl Moyer 702, Eric Montgomery 702 (Commercial); Walt Johns 707, Paul Frantz 688, Lee Zimmerman 677 (New Holland Men); Don Rineer 603, Kelly Claar 601(Ephrata Chuch); Sandy Snook 659, Shawn Connor 636, Derrick Miller 601 (Northend Mix); Dylan Shirk 692, Greg Sourber 628, Darryl Hostetter 612 (Friday Night Mix); Ricky Yocum Jr. 624, Joe Long 613 (TGIF).

Women: Connie Weaver 551 (Sunday Night Mix); Tammy Rogers 716, Ellen Merklinger 653, Christy Ayres 650, Sue Getz 646 (Brownstown Mix); Peg Ammon 547, Donna Snyder 547 (New Holland Ladies); Lydia Cochran 498 (Tri-Town Church); Elysia Current 697 (Woodstream); Janice Meckley 622 (Ephrata Mix); Sandy Harnish 559 (Lincoln Forest); Denise Woodworth 632, Sandra Hinkle 621, Cara Miller 614, Karen Teeples 602 (Ephrata Ladies); Terri Andrew 539, Angie Kilhefner 538 (Simply Every Thing); Amy Kohler 579 (Northend Mix); Marilyn Sedlak 529 (Friday Night Mix); Jamie Miller 532 (TGIF).

Seniors: Rick Weidman 627, Ardie Kopp 558, Al Johnson 557, Shirley Royer 468, Pearl Richelderefer 461, Ruth Eddy 461 (Young at Heart); Carl Partridge 652, Wilson Strausser 627, Sherwwod Miller 591 (Monday SRS); Carl Partridge 673, Frank Shafer 661, Tom Sullivan 658, Marc Catok 648, Clair High 607 (Thursday Srs); Ed Ronald 689, Ralph Marks 531 Jean Eckman 514 (Dutch Maids and Men); Mark Catok 712, Carl Partridge 638, Frank Shafer 628, Tom Sullivan 592, Les Sensenig 573 (Thursday Srs).

Juniors: Tyrus Cuurent 315, Kenny Burdge 292,Tristan Current 285, Kaleigh Kramer 309, Tara Niekirk 261, KC Miller 222 (Bantum); Ian Wettlauffer 448, Tyler Walton 410, Cameron Zwally 362, Rachell Waddell 317, Cheyenne Angelo 287, Miranda Pierce 279 (Zoo); Matt Cover 430, Nick Armstrong 371, Matt Zimmerman 347, Katie Redcay 372, Elizabeth Mace 287 (Co-Ed); Kerry Cooper 656, Alez Blanck 603, Keith Sholly 600, Austin Kissinger 600, Johanna Joseph 599, Crystal Connelly 586, Brianna Nihoff 581 (Seniors).

Cain's

Men: Brian Cain 642 (Sun. Mixers); Bill Loercher 595 (Church); Bill Loercher 611 (Merchants); Terry Miller 651 (Lititz).

Women: Rose Tshudy 427 (Sun. Mixers); Rose Balmer 513 (Church).

Youth: Boys, Garrett Martin 466; Girls, Amy May 458; Junior: Boys, Ryan Alcala 444, Ethan Crills 358; Girls, Brittany Lantz 455; Bumpers: Boys, Bayley Ranck 274; Girls, Emilee Wallace.