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Rick Hartings joins Spectrum to talk Coldwater bowling, his long history in the sport, and running Pla-Mor Lanes, which he and his wife bought nearly 20 years ago and will celebrate a 50th anniversary in 2026. He explains how youth and high school bowling grew in the area, including his dad helping launch early high school competition in 1999, and how bowling became more organized once leagues like the WBL and the MAC adopted it and OHSAA recognized it as a winter sport in 2007. Hartings pushes back on the idea that bowling is “not a sport,” describing the athletic skill, repetition, and lane strategy involved, including reading oil patterns, targeting boards, and adjusting with different bowling balls. He also highlights Coldwater’s championship tradition, including winning the first OHSAA state title with St. Henry finishing second, and notes the MAC’s continued growth with more teams potentially joining.

As the season heads into its final stretch, Hartings talks about balancing individual awards like Bowler of the Year with team success, especially under a points system where being subbed out can cost a bowler points. He outlines the postseason path and logistics, including sectionals and districts, the importance of choosing the right roster, and how weather scheduling changes are meant to prevent teams from getting squeezed with no practice time between rounds. He says the difference between advancing and missing is usually consistency: limiting open frames, filling spares, and staying steady through three games plus baker games. The biggest mental mistake he sees in the postseason is not handling pressure, and he notes that tougher matches and tournaments help prepare kids for that moment.

Hartings also shares ways the community can support the program, including end of season fundraising and a youth tournament that provides scholarship money. He emphasizes how the youth side has grown alongside the high school success, and promotes Pla-Mor's summer “Kids Bowl Free” program, which runs May 1 through August 31 and helps introduce more kids to bowling.