Jillian Jensen practices bowling “every, single day.” She even works at a bowling alley when she’s not in school.
For Jillian, bowling is a huge part of her life. And, her passion is a big reason why the Northridge High School Unified Bowling Team took the state championship this year.
“I’ve wanted to win since I was a freshman,” Jillian says, a senior at Northridge. “It’s fun.”
Having fun is a huge theme for this championship team. They joke around like siblings, teasing each other and laughing whenever they are together. In addition to Jillian, the team includes junior Ethan Wahlmeier, senior Jordan Fernandez, junior Annabelle Cox and senior David Rivera.
“I knew we had a chance of winning,” David says. “We were able to get through and have fun. We did our best and ended up winning.”
Winning the state championship was awesome. But hanging out with your friends and being part of a team is the best part of Unified Bowling, the team members agree.
“One time this kid (pointing at Ethan) grabbed my bowling ball and got me a gutter ball,” JIllian says laughing.
Unified sports provide an opportunity for students with intellectual or physical disabilities to be paired on teams with students from the general population. Unified Bowling has five team members and is a Colorado High School Activities Association sanctioned sport.
Coaches Aimee Anderson, special education teacher, and Amy Wahlmeier, paraprofessional, said the Northridge group beat out 27 other teams to take the championship.
And, what makes a winning team?
“I think the most important thing is their relationships,” Coach Anderson says. “They love each other like brothers and sisters. They develop friendships that maybe otherwise wouldn’t have happened.”
