Showcasing her skill and precision, 12-year-old Averie Bourne, a student at Heritage Middle School in Liberty, Missouri, bowled a perfect 300 game during the Missouri Bowling Proprietors’ Association (MO BPA) Family Tournament on February 23.
Averie’s journey to achieving a perfect score began at the age of four, inspired by her grandfather, Jerry Ferrell Jr., and her father, Clint Bourne. Jerry and his wife, Teresa, own Tiger Bowl in Excelsior Springs. Known to Averie as “Papa,” Jerry helped cultivate her skills from a young age as she grew up spending her days at the alley.
Jerry, not only proud of his granddaughter but also dedicated to growing the sport, has long been an advocate for youth bowling. Under his guidance, Averie has been bowling competitively since she was five years old.
She recalled picking up a bowling ball for the first time at age four, saying, “I was bouncing the ball off the bumpers.” It wasn’t until she was six that she started rolling the ball straight down the lane instead of relying on bumper assists.
With her grandfather’s coaching philosophy—focusing on proper mechanics from an early age—Averie’s skills steadily developed. Now at 12, his teachings have paid off, culminating in her impressive résumé and a historic 300 game.
Currently, Averie competes in three leagues annually, practicing twice a week with additional sessions whenever possible—demonstrating her dedication and passion for the sport. That commitment led to her perfect game at Gladstone Bowl, where she competed in the family doubles tournament alongside her father, Clint, who also achieved his first 300 game.
Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, Jerry bowled his first 300 at the age of 16. The Bourne-Ferrell family has made a lasting impact on the local bowling community. As the owner of Tiger Bowl, Jerry has dedicated himself to sharing his knowledge and training young athletes.
His efforts have resulted in a thriving youth league, with all 16 lanes filled with young bowlers every Saturday morning. His dedication to the sport has helped several youth bowlers secure collegiate opportunities and played a role in establishing a high school bowling team in Excelsior Springs.
For now, Averie continues to refine her game and holds the distinction of being the youngest female in Missouri to bowl a perfect 300. Her achievement has been celebrated across the bowling community and social media.
After her historic moment, her father, Clint, was the first to greet her with a hug, knowing full well this wasn’t the first time Averie had outperformed him—and likely, as he noted, “it won’t be the last.”
In addition to her perfect game, Averie boasts an impressive list of tournament wins:
- Two-time Missouri Pepsi Champion
- First place at the Kansas City Open (KCO)
- First place at the Youth State Masters Tournament
- Four-time Kansas City Champion
- Two-time Southwest Gold 1st Place winner
- Two-time Nebraska Youth Bowling Partnership (NEYBP) 1st Place winner
Beyond her latest milestone, Averie is already looking ahead, with aspirations to compete at the collegiate level. While she has yet to be recruited, she remains optimistic, saying, “It will be cool” when that day comes.
Averie’s success is a testament to the support of her family and the Excelsior Springs community, where Tiger Bowl has helped foster her talent. As she continues to make her mark in the sport, her hometown will be cheering her on every time she steps up to the lane.
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