FORT SMITH -- Bowling has always been a big part of Fort Smith Northside senior Max Howerton's life growing up, but he didn't know how big it would be for his future when he entered high school.
Howerton, the River Valley Democrat-Gazette Boys Bowler of the Year, had set out to play baseball at the next level. It's a sport he is very good at and is a key contributor for the Grizzlies. After earning all-state honors in back-to-back seasons, bowling ended up being his calling, making Northside history being the first student to receive a college bowling scholarship.
"Bowling has been pretty good to me," said Howerton, who signed with Kansas Wesleyan in February. "I started when I was probably five. The sport is special to me. It means a lot going to college. I'm so excited about going to Kansas Wesleyan University. Originally, I thought I'd play baseball in college. But I decided to really go for bowling at the next level after my junior year. I guess it worked out for me."
Howerton finished out his senior year strong by bowling a 676 three-game series for third overall individually at the 6A state tournament.
"Last year finishing second, I wanted to win it this year," Howerton said. "But when someone bowls as well as I did and you lose, you know the people ahead of you did something special. I just wanted to go out strong and with a bang during the senior year. You want to prove what you can do one last time at this level."
Howerton is soft spoken and lets his bowling do most of the talking for him. And with all he accomplished in his career, it did plenty for him on his behalf. He has plenty of candidates for top moments in his career as a Grizzly, but the favorite memory ever is an easy one after he achieved the dream of every bowler in the world: A perfect game. He accomplished the feat as a 10th grader in a competition meet.
"It was such a cool experience and has to be the best moment ever for me in bowling," Howerton said. "That was the only one I ever did in competition. I've bowled two perfect games, but I'll remember that one forever. That was pretty sweet."
Being a multi-sport athlete has been fun for Howerton while at Northside. But the two sports have never crossed paths despite baseball players joking they want to face Howerton on the lanes.
"Everybody talks about facing me in bowling, but they never show up," Howerton said with a smile.
Looking back at Howerton's high school bowling career now that it's over, Fort Smith Northside Coach Ryan Solley said he couldn't be more proud of what Howerton has accomplished as one of the best to ever do it at the school.
"He did a great job and was one of our leaders on the team," Solley said. "He has been successful for three years and is ultra competitive. He is going to go bowl in college, which is a big deal. He has been a joy. I'm so proud of him."
Fort Smith Northside's Max Howerton, seen Tuesday, April 2, 2024, is the 2024 River Valley boys bowlers of the year. Howerton signed with Kansas Wesleyan back in February. Visit rivervalleydemocratgazette.com/photo for today's photo gallery. (River Valley Democrat-Gazette/Hank Layton)