Hard Work Pays Dividends - CQurltsy uf Publici,>, OfficI' EXHIBITING picture-perfect form, captain Mike Bedwell releases [he ball in seorch oj Q strike. The typical All-AIC performer stands 6'8" or is a muscular 280 pounds. Mike Bedwell does not fit this mold. Bedwell, captain of the Ale champion Bi·son bowling squad, is a man who reached the top because of effort. He commented, "In high school I'd go to the bowling alley every Saturday night and roll a score of around 140. I didn't become a real bowler till I got to Harding, and that came from a Jot of hard work." In 19S0 Bedwell led the AIC competition in both average and total pins. The Bison ace averaged 199 pins a game despite back problems which threatened to sideline him. He also set a University record in the Southern Intercollegiate Bowling Conference with an average of 194 per game. The senior from Sikestown, Mo., gives much credit to the older bowlers he met at Harding for his success. "Bryan Davis helped me especially during my freshman year," he said. "Bryan said it would take some time, and he was willing to spend some with me." Bedwell said he picked bowlins because athletics was in his blood. He was realistic about his physical abilities and decided to channel his energies toward bowling. As elected captain, Bedwell took on many responsibilities. His duties included keeping up with team averages in practice, sett ling minor disputes, acting as an "assistant coach," and working with the younger - Ken Bmell Mike Bedwell bowlers. Behind Bedwell are many outstanding accomplishments and Harding records, Looking back over that success is pleasant for him. "I made the team my freshman year on luck. I've never bowled aswelI '3S I did on the day we tried out. From there, I have had the opportunity to bowl with some of the finest individuals around and have developed many friendships. It's all just been really good to me." Even greater than Bedwell's personal merits are those of the Bison team. The keglers won the Ale crown for the seventh consecutive time and took home their 15th overall championship trophy. The reason for the continual dominance of the league is difficult to understand. Bedwell mentioned his philosophy behind the many victories, HI think the program has been built up because Harding has constantly had ten guys with the right character - guys who are driven and want to do well. I especially like the way the older guys have always helped the younger ones improve. The bowlers I've met have just been really good people," Bedwell's brother, Jonathon, was killed as the result of a car wreck outside Searcy. He was, at the time, only a few pins behind Mike in the chase for the Ale si ngles championship. He too was a winner, .. perhaps it just runs in the family. - Jimmy Allen 299 Bowling
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