Once Spencer Shumway officially wrapped up his state bowling title last week at Boardwalk Bowl in East Orlando he barely showed the emotion one would expect after attaining such an accomplishment.

Spencer Shumway (Photo by J.C. Carnahan)

Sure, his arms went up and a grin flashed so wide on his face that words were not needed to explain the euphoria he felt as supporters showered him with hugs afterwards.

“That’s the most emotion I’ve seen out of that kid all year,” said Shumway’s coach Jack Bloomingdale.

If you weren’t paying close attention during the state finals match between the junior out of Lyman High School and Nick Speanburg of Jupiter then you’d think things were a lot closer than the 268-235 final game turned out to be in the best-of-three series. Shumway won the first game 279-247 and dropped the second game 248-206.

“I can’t even describe it,” Shumway said as the hugs kept rolling in. ”I still can’t even believe it.”

Spencer Shumway (Photo by J.C. Carnahan)

Shumway bowled in that final series in front of a vocal group of fans that helped push him down that homestretch.

“They’re everything,” he said of the bystanders. “I’m friends with a bunch of the people from all the different teams and having them behind me has really pushed me through the entire tournament.”

Not bad for a kid who came into the final day of competition a bit anxious and “not feeling quite right” when he woke up that morning.

“The last couple matches it all started coming together,” he said. “I was making good shots and it all worked out good. It was perfect.”

It’s been like that for much of the season for Shumway, especially some four weeks back when he helped kickstart the postseason drive for the Greyhounds as he nearly bowled a perfect three-game series.

Spencer Shumway (Photo by J.C. Carnahan)

“That started something for him and the rest of the team,” said Bloomingdale. “They all bowled well after that game. That was a big game for us.”

From there Lyman went on to win their conference and district tournaments before being bounced as a team from the tournament by state runner-up Timber Creek in the consolation round.

“We knew he had that potential,” said Bloomingdale of Shumway taking the title. “He’s one of the greatest kids. He does everything you ask him to do. He works hard, he bowls – I don’t know how many games a day – and his parents are the most supportive parents a kid could have. He’s just got everything going for him.”

Including one more season to return to states and do it all over again.

–– More Coverage ––

Video and photos at WESH

Sam Gardner at Orlando Sentinel