Daily Press Staff Report

Longtime Artesia High School bowling coach Ken Clayton was inducted into the New Mexico United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame last month.

He was installed under the Super Performance category, according to a press release.

Clayton’s bowling career began as a pinsetter in his hometown of Petrolia, Pennsylvania.

“My brothers, our friends and I would set pins for the leagues, and we would bowl in the youth league. We had the key so we could go in anytime and set pins for each other. Many times, I would set all four lanes, bowl until I knocked them all down and go set them again,” he said.

“I have a picture of my brother, Rod, and I setting pins that I have kept under my desk pad in my office for years.”

Clayton rolled his first perfect game in 1992 and two years ago he bowled his 27th 300-game of his career, read the press release.

His additional bowling honors include six United States Bowling Congress (USBC) 800 series awards and a high season average of 236.

“Being recognized by the Hall of Fame is a very humbling and very much appreciated finish to my bowling career. Bowing has given me a lifetime of friendships and memories. For the first time in 45 years, I am not bowling and strictly focusing on my Artesia High School bowing team,” Clayton said.

He has been the only coach the Artesia High School bowling has had in its 17-year history. The team has won nine state championships.

“Mr. Mike Phipps (former Artesia Public Schools superintendent) and I began with a vision of starting a competitive high school bowling team to compete in the New Mexico High School Bowling Association (NMHSBA). Since there was no youth bowling in town, we really had no idea if we could even get enough bowlers to field a team,” he said.

The original Artesia High School bowling team had 35 members laid the foundation for the future champions, read the press release.

The original AHS bowling team ended up with thirty-five members and laid the foundation for a program that has captured nine NMHSBA Class 4A state championships.

“The student athletes in our bowling program are dedicated to the hard work it takes to not only win state titles but to ensure a tradition continues for those watching and waiting to take their turn as Artesia Bulldog bowlers,” Clayton said.

In addition to bowling, Clayton is the chairman and chief executive officer of Western Bank in Artesia.