Thousands of young bowlers bring business to central Wisconsin - WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports

A statewide youth bowling tournament will be held in Weston during the next few months. Organizers told Newsline 9 it will bring thousands of bowlers and their families to the area during a usually slow season.

Jaelynn Hoehnen, 12, said a passion for bowling runs in the family. Her Father owns a bowling alley, one she hopes to take over some day.

The Waukesha native has competed in the Wisconsin State Youth Championships Tournament for the past four years and she has high hopes for 2013.

"I want to get in the top 10 for singles, doubles, team and all events," she said.

Organizers said about 4,000 bowlers between the ages of six and 20 will compete during the next few months.

"Bowling is for everybody. Anybody, like I said, from the age of six to 90 can bowl so that's why I think the kids just love it," tournament director Dawn Kluever said.

Business owners in central Wisconsin love it, too. The tournament means thousands of bowlers and their families will be eating at restaurants and booking rooms.

"It's been really, really a good year," Weston Inn and Suites owner Slavica Momcilovic told Newsline 9.

Her business is located right next door to Dale's Weston Lanes where the tournament will be held on weekends through the end of April.

"We're actually almost totally booked February, March and April, every weekend," she said.

Hoehnen said she enjoys traveling the state to compete.

"I like the fact that it's far away because we can stay in a hotel."

She bowled seven strikes during one of her games on Saturday afternoon, a trend she hopes will give her a good shot at winning some scholarship money.

"I want to go through high school and I want to bowl in college," she said.