Brainerd High junior on a roll
Kim Carper is quietly turning heads as she continues to reach milestones in her bowling career.
The junior at Brainerd High School has finished as the top female high school bowler in the state in 2006 and 2007.
She was named the outstanding bowler of the Central Conference and made the all-conference team. Last year, she finished third in the Pepsi scratch division, missing the championship by seven pins.
Carper has competed in the National Junior Olympic Gold tournament the last two years and has already qualified to participate again this year. She is No. 1 in points for the MJBT.
She is considering - among other schools - attending college and bowling at Nebraska, Minnesota State-Mankato, Robert Morris or Wichita State University.
Kim Carper
Carper is averaging 197 in her youth league at Jack's House in Brainerd and 195 in MJBT qualifying after six tournaments.
Carper started bowling when she was 3. Her older sister, Rhonda, made the nation's top 10 in 1993, when she bowled a 289, and her older brother, Terry, also is an accomplished bowler.
Carper, a USBC Level 1 and Level 2 certified coach instructor, was recently recognized in the USBC Youth magazine for her participation as a coach in a bowling camp. She is coached by Don White.