By the time Allie Williams rolled her final ball for the Neshoba Central High School girls bowling team in February, the tribal member from the Seminole Tribe had racked up plenty of accomplishments in her six-year career with the team.

She was on five state championship teams with Neshoba Central in Philadelphia, Mississippi, dating back to when she was in seventh grade. She was named the team’s most valuable player three times, including this season as a senior. Her top score this season was a 732 series and her season average was 200. She earned All-State recognition this season, an honor she has also previously won.

Additionally, she signed a letter of intent with Ottawa University as she’ll embark on her collegiate bowling career in Kansas. During her signing day ceremony in December 2021 she was surrounded by her teammates and family, including her parents Brandi and Gavin Williams and her brothers Marin and Malloy. With the stroke of a pen, her ambition to bowl on the college level – and to do so on a scholarship – became reality thanks to years of practice and determination.

“Following my ninth grade year, I became more focused on improving my skills to play collegiately. I had to make hard decisions and made bowling a huge priority to get to where I am now,” Williams said.

Ottawa University is a private college 50 miles south of Kansas City and about a 10-hour drive from her home.

“I love it. It reminds me of home, but it is different enough to open myself to the world,” said Williams, whose career aspirations include being a teacher with younger children.

Williams and Neshoba Central came up just shy in their bid for six straight state championships. The team finished runner-up in the Class 2 final in February.

“It was very disappointing. I believed that we had done almost everything we could to prepare ourselves, yet we still came up short,” Williams said. “We strongly believed we had a good chance of winning again. I’m content with how I performed during the regular season, however, I’m left disappointed with how I finished at state championship.”

Williams said she will learn from the rare setback and hopes others will, too.

“I want to remind myself, my teammates, and others that no matter how much you prepare and work hard for something, it won’t always work out as planned; that is okay. All you can do is reflect, learn and move on,” she said.

Most high school athletes never win a state championship, let alone five. There’s no doubt Williams’ career will be tough to match for future bowlers at the school.

“I hope I left a positive mark on Neshoba Central’s bowling team, and I hope to see them come back stronger next year,” she said.