Bowling is one of Cardozo’s strongest and most accomplished sports teams. While many people might think rolling a heavy ball down a lane and knocking over pins is simple, anyone who truly understands the sport knows it requires technique, control, patience, and countless hours of practice. Catherine Lee has spent the past seven years building that skill.
During her time on Cardozo’s bowling team, she has collected around 12 championships and trophies, proving not only her talent but also her commitment. Her most recent accomplishment is winning the PSAL Girls Bowling City Individuals title. Now, a senior at Cardozo, Lee continues to show her deep love for the game.
Her passion for bowling began years ago, when her family started taking her bowling more often. What started as fun quickly became something she enjoyed so much that she joined a league. Since the summer after sixth grade, Lee has worked and continually practiced her skills.
“I became a champion through practice and never giving up,” she explained. It may sound like a cliché, but Lee believes wholeheartedly in the saying: “practice makes perfect.” She understands that no one becomes great overnight. Improvement takes time. That mindset motivates her, because she believes there is always room to get better.
“Practice, practice, practice equals improvement,” she emphasized. Each time she steps up to bowl, she feels proud of how far she has come since she first picked up a ball as a child.
Being a champion, however, is not easy. Lee admitted that the position comes with pressure; especially during competitions. She often finds herself overthinking or worrying about performing well. It’s easy to compare herself to others, but she has learned to shift her mindset when she needs. When she competes, Lee blocks out distractions and centers herself, reminding herself that in that moment, nothing else matters except her focus and her game.
Lee owns two customized bowling balls, but her favorite is a blue ball specially drilled to fit her hand. It is the ball she trusts the most and the one she uses during her most important games. One of her favorite memories from competing came when she unexpectedly had the opportunity to bowl with a famous professional bowler named Ethan Fiore.
“It was the last thing I expected,” she said, explaining that the surprise made the experience even more meaningful.
Everyone has something that motivates them, and for Lee, that motivation comes from knowing what she is capable of. She has already bowled a perfect game; an incredible accomplishment that only a small number of bowlers ever achieve. Knowing she has reached that level pushes her to set new goals and to challenge herself again and again.
Looking ahead, Lee hopes to continue bowling in college, if she receives a scholarship. If not, she still plans to stay involved in the sport and bowl in the same league she has enjoyed throughout her school years. Bowling has become a part of her life she does not want to give up.
As a graduating senior, Lee also had advice for others who want to pursue bowling or any passion of their own. “Keep practicing. It will be worth it in the end,” she said. “You will have good games and bad games, but don’t let that stop you.” Her journey is a reminder that success doesn’t come from perfection, but practice and commitment.
