Cape Coral High’s Lynn captures state bowling title
A Cape Coral bowler made school history last week in Orlando, as he became the first state champion in Seahawks history.
Senior Daniel Lynn bowled over his competition in the FHSAA State Championships, capturing the top prize and finishing his high school career as the best in the state.
Lynn, who was ranked No. 12 in a field of 16, took down six opponents on his way to the title, including the No. 1 ranked bowler in the state.
"It was just a surreal experience," Lynn said. "Me knowing that I had won, was like a dream come true. It's something I would've wished to do as a kid."
Included in those wins was a 2-1 victory over No. 1 seed Lincoln Moyer of Edgewood, and a 2-1 semifinal win against Mariner's Trey Lemus. Lynn topped Francis Johnson of Orlando East River 2-0 in the championship matchup.
"I'm very proud of Daniel, and his team who helped in supporting him and stayed by his side for the whole journey," said Seahawks bowling coach Lamar Bryant. "It was a progression of four years of hard work and goal setting."
Lynn said his love for the sport started when he ventured to the local lanes with his father when he was younger. He said his dad used to bowl at a high level.
"He had introduced me to the sport, and taught me how to bowl," Lynn said. "I was seeing it all over TV, and I thought to myself, 'Imagine doing this as a job. Something that you go do for fun with your family and doing it as a competitive thing.'
"I just started to practice and I got really good, and I've been in love with it ever since."
Last year, Lynn finished fourth overall in the state, and was determined to improve and work hard to achieve the ultimate goal of being a state champion.
"It was all hard work and dedication," Lynn said of his journey. "I would always be at the bowling alley no matter what — whether we had practice that day or not. Even after practice was over, I'd stay and bowl. I'd just try my best to perfect everything and be the best I could be."
Lynn said heading into the state championships at Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center, he knew he had to go out with a bang.
"I knew no matter what, nobody wanted it more than me," he said. "And nobody was going to outwork me. I was going to do my absolute best to bring the title home."
Lynn defeated Johnson in the final, rolling a 280 in the first match, and 213 in the second, winning by a combined pin score of 493 to 447.
As for bringing home the school's first state championship in bowling, Lynn said, "It feels amazing. It's been an honor to represent Cape Coral High School doing what I love, and doing it to the best of my ability. I'm hoping I made everybody proud back home."
Lynn said he and Moyer have competed in tournaments outside of high school play, and he knew it was going to be a hard-fought match.
"But like I said, nobody wanted it more than I did. And I knew how badly I wanted it," he said. "I knew it wasn't going to come easy, and I was going to have to work my absolute hardest to win."
Lynn plans on bowling in college next year, with the hopes to go pro after. He's undecided on where he'll attend school next year, but will study business.
Looking back on his four years, Lynn said what he'll take away most is the memories made with his counterparts.
"My team and the chemistry we have, and the friends along the way is what I'll remember most," he said. "The coaches as well. It's been an honor and it's been great."
