BUTLER TWP — Every time he picks up a bowling ball, Kevin Hindman rolls up his sleeves and goes to work.

The Knoch senior did so last week, putting together a four-bagger late in Game 3 of the Knights' section-clinching victory over Butler at Family Bowlaway.

He did so last year, averaging 216 in six games during the Pennsylvania State Bowling Championships at North Versailles Bowl, earning himself the No. 1 seed in the stepladder finals.

He then rolled a 214 to defeat Harrison Thatcher of Franklin Regional to claim the state title.

“I don't know what it's going to take to do that again, but I'm sure going to try,” Hindman said about repeating as state champion.

A bowler since age 4, Hindman was averaging 180 by age 13, averaged 200 last year and has increased that figure to 217 this season. The next highest average in the North section of the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Bowling League is Butler's Jacob Cookson at 198.81.

Only three other bowlers in the entire 48-team WPIBL — Javon Trout of Hempfield at 224, Michael Delle Femine of Penn Hills at 220, Dylan Dirado of Greensburg Salem at 218 — have higher averages than Hindman among bowlers with at least 22 games rolled this season.

“Kevin's consistency is impeccable,” Knoch coach Tyler Hawk said. “When he does throw a bad shot, he figures out what happened and corrects it.

“The adjustments he makes are usually right on and it rarely takes him more than a frame to figure it out.”

Hindman's high game in high school competition this year is a 268. His high series is a 757.

He has rolled a 290 in the Saturday junior league at Family Bowlaway this season.

“I helped coach him in the Saturday league here for a few years,” Butler coach Bill Fay said. “Kevin has gotten where he is today through practice, practice, practice.

“A number of these kids work hard at their game and he works as hard as anybody.”

Hindman estimates he bowls 20 or 25 games a week.

“Our high school team practices each Tuesday and we compete Wednesdays,” he said. “I bowl in the a.m. and p.m. shift in the Saturday league.

“I love this sport and the challenges it brings. Your shot can come and go and it's up to you to get it back.”

Hindman is averaging 210 in the Saturday league this year. He plans to bowl for the Robert Morris University team as a freshman next year.

Down the road, he hopes to turn pro.

“I know that's a tough road, but I believe in myself,” Hindman said. “I think I can do it.

“I'll just keep competing, keep practicing.”

In the meantime, he has his Knoch bowling memories to look back on, once this season is completed.

“You accomplish things as an individual and it's fun and a good feeling, but being part of a team that pulled together, came from so bar behind to win the section ... this was incredibly difficult,” Hindman said.

“I can't describe this feeling. It's just so exciting to do this as a group.”

Hawk has been excited just having Hindman around.

“Obviously, he's been the cornerstone of this program since we started three years ago,” the coach said. “Hopefully, we can continue what he started.

“Kevin's successes have certainly gotten more kids interested in bowling. He's been a true leader that way.”