On August 30, Fort Irwin United States Army Garrison Commander Col. Kurt Pinkerton shook the hands of the two Soldiers who “bowled him over” during summer opportunity leave.
Strike Zone Bowling Center hosted the award ceremony to honor Staff Sgt. Jahmali Samuel and Staff Sgt. Rogelio Dixon, who both beat Pinkerton during their “Bowl Over the GC” competition in July.
Dixon, a Soldier with A Company Warrior Transition Unit, was the Week 1 winner with a score of 678 for his three-game series, and won again in Week 3 with a score of 599.
Samuel was the Week 2 winner with a score of 735, making him the overall champion with the highest pin count. Both winners received MWR Bucks, and Samuel got his name engraved on a perpetual plaque that now hangs in Strike Zone Bowling Center.
Samuel, a Soldier in D Co., 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Calvary Regiment, has been bowling for nine years.
“I never put the ball down once I started,” said Samuel. “It’s is an all-around great sport, and the more you practice, you definitely see yourself improving. It’s challenging – the more you put into it, the more you get out of it.”
Dixon added that bowling is a great way to stay active.
Specialist Percy Gaston, with Maintenance Troop, RSS, 11ACR, who was the runner up each week in the “Bowl Over the GC” competition joined Samuel and Dixon for a friendly game, saying that he was proud of his accomplishment since he has only been bowling since December 2011.
Sergeant Charles McGee, with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1/11ACR, and Spc. Christopher Taylor, also of HHT, 1/11ACR, joined the fun, bringing the entire family for a night of recreation.
Taylor’s wife Raquel said, “My husband and her husband (McGee) are really competitive, so we come to watch. And of course, the kids love it too.”
If you love bowling too, or would like to give it a try, leagues are now forming for adults and kids. For more info, call the Strike Zone Bowling Center at 380-4249 or go online to www.fortirwinfmwr.com.
