FORT SMITH -- Frame after frame, Fort Smith Southside made the throws required to capture its first 6A boys bowling championship in six seasons. Mavericks Coach Tadd Stewart was glad to have the best seat in the house.
Stewart, the River Valley Democrat-Gazette Bowling Coach of the Year, watched a complete team effort in February as Southside knocked down 4,263 pins to win by 66 pins over powerhouse Cabot, which was the two-time defending 6A state champion.
In the biggest meet of the year to that point, Stewart said he was most proud of his team rising to the occasion to capture the title in a highly competitive environment.
"Without a doubt that was a great performance under pressure," Stewart said. "It was a fun day and was just a joy to see. It was a close game back and forth. The kids made some big shots when we needed it. Making history is always cool. It was a team effort. They compliment each other really well. It seemed like if somebody was off, somebody shot lights out."
Carter Traywick, Josh Priester and Rory Moyle, last year's River Valley Democrat-Gazette Bowler of the Year, each earned all-state honors and guided the way for Southside. They combined to knock down 1,940 pins in their three-game series.
Traywick, just a freshman, was the top individual bowler on the day for the entire tournament with his blistering 724 series. Priester and Moyle tossed series of 609 and 607, respectively, to add much needed depth.
The win gave Southside three state titles now under the direction of Stewart, who also guided the Mavericks to back-to-back 6A crowns in 2019 and 2018. Although he is quick to give credit to his players and to area bowling coordinator Paul Humphries, Stewart without a doubt plays a big role in the Mavericks' success.
"Coach Stewart is awesome," Traywick said. "He is a great coach and keeps everything light. We like to have fun and not put too much pressure on us. I'm just starting my high school career, but it was a fun year with him and I'm glad he's my coach."
Stewart said he was happy this bowling group could come together for a season that won't soon be forgotten. He described the team as a hard-working bunch that went the extra mile getting ready for the state tournament to improve by 172 pins after finishing third last year.
"These kids are all self motivated," Stewart said. "You don't have to worry about them missing practice or getting them there. They are always going hard. You don't have to worry about any of that stuff at all. They enjoy the game and get after it at a high level. They make my job easy."
Bowling isn't the only impression Stewart leaves behind at Southside, where he has been at since 2005. When he isn't guiding the bowling team to state titles, Stewart helps develop offensive lineman to play at the next level for the football team. Just this last season Kobe Branham and Cooper Anderson earned all-state honors up front. Branham signed with the University of Arkansas, while Anderson inked with Arkansas Tech.
"He is an excellent offensive line coach," Southside football Coach Kim Dameron said. "You can see that from the products he has put out there, especially the last couple of years. He really does a heck of a job teaching these young men. We do the same things here I did at the collegiate level. He can coach anywhere in the country. He brings a lot overall to Southside. He is a heck of a teacher in his subject matter, and it's not just the linemen he impacts. He helps run our strength and conditioning program. He impacts every kid in our program and a ton in the hallway. He casts a wide net when it comes to influencing kids at Southside."
Fort Smith Southside's Tadd Stewart, seen Tuesday, April 2, 2024, is the 2024 River Valley Bowling Coach of the Year. Visit rivervalleydemocratgazette.com/photo for today's photo gallery. (River Valley Democrat-Gazette/Hank Layton)