Miranda Hunt, a recent Yelm High School graduate and former Tornados varsity bowler, was handed a split and was tasked with turning it into a spare when it came to her college decision.
She had initially signed her national letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic career at Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee, in June — a decision that took her about a month and a half.
But when Hunt and her family were informed that the bowling program was going to be cut at her future school, their priorities changed. They had previously made contact with McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas, in the spring, and when they heard about the Bethel program’s demise, they contacted the McPherson College coach and scheduled a campus visit the next day.
After a short visit, Hunt decided to commit to join the first bowling team for the McPherson College Bulldogs, who compete at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics level in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.
“I get to be a part of something new and leave something for the next bowlers who want to continue a program,” Hunt said. “... I’m sad to leave my brother and my family, but I am excited for something new, a new experience and to grow myself and to become more confident, more skilled and educated.”
Hunt will move on campus in mid-August and pursue a degree in elementary education with hopes of returning to Yelm to teach. She said she wasn’t sure if she would get to call herself a collegiate bowler, but she will continue a career that includes two consecutive trips to the high school state championships. Hunt finished 21st out of 100 bowlers with a 160 average in the 2024 tournament in February, good for 19 spots better than her 40th-place finish at last year’s state championships.
She credited YHS bowling coach Averie Ford and the coaching staff for encouraging her and helping her advance to the next level in her bowling career.
“They’re very positive, and they make sure to keep my spirits up, which is really great because sometimes it can be hard,” Hunt said. “They’re very positive people and that’s really helpful.”
Hunt also credited her father, Scott, and her mother, Dorine, for their support through her bowling career and financing equipment and tournaments. Scott said his daughter will have family and family friends two to four hours away.
Miranda Hunt earned a scholarship for bowling that covered more than half of her tuition, and she can earn even more funds through the McPherson bowling hometown sponsor, which allows businesses, corporations, groups or individuals to sponsor specific athletes.
“I just think it’s awesome that she gets to represent Yelm across the country. She can put Yelm on the map, which is really cool,” Dorine Hunt said of her daughter.
