-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Fort Dodge Girls Bowlers are, left to right, Ara Ellis and Calli Graves

Calli Graves and Ara Ellis have been bowling since they were seven years old.

Being at the bowling lanes is something they grew up doing and once they started walking the hall ways of Fort Dodge Senior High, it intensified.

Graves, a senior and Ellis, a freshman will finish and begin their careers at the state tournament.

“Calli has bowled well all year long. She didn’t strike as much early on, but bowled some solid games and covered a lot of spares,” said Fort Dodge head coach Nick Vinson. “She is a force as she bowls and is starting to strike more.

“She has been coming into her own and is fun to watch. She has grown a lot this year and the last four years.”

The two Dodger bowlers will compete during the Class 2A meet at Cadillac Lanes in Waterloo on Wednesday.

Action begins at 9 a.m.

“Ara is a very talented freshman,” Vinson said. “She has had some freshman downs, but has had some games where she’s been really good.

“She works hard, listens and competes. It’s paid off. She is rock solid and does a great job. I just can’t say enough about these two.”

2023 Aryssa Lumsden, Gabby Flores was a junior both qualified

Graves and Ellis are the first individual qualifiers for Fort Dodge since Aryssa Lumsden and Gabby Flores in 2023.

“For me what it means to go to state is to remember all the progress and accomplishments I have made throughout this season,” Ellis said. “To keep a positive aspect even when I go through a mental block in the game.”

Graves placed sixth and Ellis was seventh in the state qualifying meet in Le Mars for the Dodgers.

“Going to state is a big deal for me, because even though I don’t show it, it’s something I’ve always wanted,” Graves said. “My knowledge has helped me, but what has helped me the most in my career was coach Vinny.”

Graves’ highest series this year was a 414 with a game best of 225.

“This season has gone really well for me,” Graves said. “I’ve worked really hard this year to get to where I wanted and these moments.

“I not only did it for me, but for Amyrra (Lumsden, who passed away) also, she would have loved to be here.”

Ellis’ high marks were 358 and 193.

“This season I started off really shy and anxious, I thought I needed to show that I was capable of being a great bowler on my own,” Ellis said. “With the help of my team, I was shown I don’t need to push myself so hard all the time.”

Just like Graves, Ellis credits Vinson with help guiding her.

“Coach Vinny understands how my competitive mind works during a game, and he helped shape me to learn how to block out negativity,” Ellis said. “I really appreciate feeling found in the bowling community, but more directly I’d love to thank Calli and Vinny for embracing my fullest potential.”