If you’ve been to the Baldwin Bowling Center recently, then you’ve probably seen 17 year old E. J. Walden throwing strike after strike down the lanes with his odd two handed release.

Walden, a rising junior at John Hancock Academy in Sparta, was recently invited to the United States Bowling Congress youth national championship in Detroit.

Since finding out of his invitation June 18, Walden has been at the bowling alley every day practicing for the championships.

“We have come every day leading up to the tournament becuase I want him to practice as much as he can,” said his mother Crystal Walden who can be seen sitting at the table behind the lanes cheering on her son.

Walden has been bowling since he was nine, but it was not until the past several years that he altered his delivery to such a unique approach(as pictured).

“I guess he’s done it the last couple years. He just started doing it and was good at it. All the coaches fuss at him, but if it works for him, why change it? If he can have a 183 average and it works for him, why mess it up?” said his mother.

And Walden certainly has the hardware to back up his game with over 100 trophies and numerous plaques that line the walls of his bedroom.

The Sparta native has a collection of fourteen different balls which each have its own qualities.

“I have 14 balls. It’s dependent on the weight and the oil pattern and oil conditions.”

Walden’s current favorite bowling ball is a Complete NV in which he received as a birthday gift from his grandparents.

While Walden has yet to reach the bowling pinnacle by bowling a perfect 300, he has twice scored a 299.

“He’s had two 299s, but it really didn’t count because it wasn't during league play. I think his highest in league is 278.”

When Walden can’t make it to the actual bowling alley, he doesn’t have to look far for a similar replacement. With the release of Nintendo’s video game console which simulates bowling, Walden and his family are able to bowl right in their living room.

“We live for the Wii. Brunswick has a Wii game, and then AMF has a Wii game, and then the one that comes with the system. We’ve got all those,” said Crystal Walden.

However, his bowling skills may also help in getting college scholarships.