- April 23, 2024
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McKay Messner bowls against Pine Ridge. Photo by Ray Boone
McKay Messner. Photo by Ray Boone
McKay Messner. Photo by Ray Boone
McKay Messner bowls against Pine Ridge. Photo by Ray Boone
McKay Messner bowls against Pine Ridge. Photo by Ray Boone
McKay Messner bowls against Pine Ridge. Photo by Ray Boone
McKay Messner needed an extracurricular activity when he arrived at Seabreeze High School his freshman year. He grew up playing soccer but wasn’t sure if he wanted to continue with that sport. As a joke, his school councilor suggested he try out for the boys bowling team.
So he did — and he made the team.
“I was crap,” Messner said. “I was so bad that I couldn’t even keep the ball on the lane.”
Seabreeze’s Paul Shuler, who has coached the boys team for the last eight seasons, said Messner was averaging around 90 as a freshman. “Maybe 120 on a good day,” he said.
But despite his early struggles with the sport, Messner found solace in the bowling alley. To see pins topple over excited him.
He had to get better.
“It’s a lot of dedication and hard work. He’s picked up a lot and learned a lot over the past four years. I'm very impressed with him.”
Paul Shuler, Seabreeze bowling coach
Messner developed his craft at local bowling alley Ormond Lanes. He practiced every day after school for four years. He practiced with the team during the season and by himself the remainder of the year.
And now, in his final season with the Sandcrabs, the 17-year-old Messner has the second-highest average in the Five Star Conference at 217.4.
“Knowing that I went from the worst to one of the best makes me feel like I can do stuff if I can really put my head to it,” said Messner, who has lived in Ormond Beach for the past seven years. “I know that I can accomplish anything.”
The Sandcrabs had their last regular season match on Thursday, Oct. 18, losing 5-2 to Pine Ridge. The Sandcrabs enter the postseason after finishing fifth in the state tournament in 2017. The goal is to return to states and finish third or better.
When the last pin falls, Messner will feel a twinge of excitement — but also sadness.
“I know I’m going to miss it,” he said.
