By Tom Vartabedian
Staff Writer
When he isn't repairing wrecks inside auto body shops at Whittier
Tech, he's wrecking bowling pins wherever he touches a ball.
His latest eruption took place in Nova Scotia recently when he turned Halifax
upside down with his prowess at the Atlantic Coast Junior Classic.
Five single strings resulted in the following scores: 135, 146, 141, 118 and 143
for a 683 total.
He was equally as impressive in doubles with 110, 150, 121, 155 and 116 for 662.
He hit a 401 triple for team play with 104, 149 and 148.
His one-day tournament total was 1,746 for a 134.3 average and he's only 16. The
closest any other junior got to him was 53 pins.
"That's 476 pins over average for the 13 games," said an astonished Gary Angelotti,
who runs Pilgrim Lanes with his brother Dale. "In all the years I've been around this sport, I've never seen anything like
this — a kid this age bowling like that."
The two had entered a tournament six years ago and Godwin was well advanced for
his age. He had gone 350 for his three games as a 10-year-old, compared to Angelotti's 390.
"I knew back then that David was going to be someone special," recalled Angelotti.
"His ability to bowl well is complemented by his attitude. He has all the tools. A lot this age get aggravated and lose their
cool. He's steady."
Godwin was part of a 70-member team which made a big impression in Nova Scotia
March 25. Pilgrim walked away with 34 major awards. Mike Carrington rolled a 1,671 and took second place in his division with
a 128 average.
Jonathan Boudreau led the Div. 1 boys with a 1,427 for a 109 average in the 10-and-under
class, followed by Christopher Lombardo with 1,276 or a 98 average.
Billy Bloom topped the Div. 2 boys in the 11-to-13 age group with a 1,490 or 114
average while Tim Cashman notched a 1,300 for third place with a 100 average.
Godwin joined a five-member team that captured first place in the 16-and-older
division with Carrington, Dan Goldoni, Billy O'Malley and John Joyce. His doubles partner was Cameron Kelly who threw a 571
for five strings, compared to Godwin's 662. Together, they went 1,233.
In Div. 3 doubles, Dan Healey-Rose and John Dumais joined for a 1,025 —
208 pins better than their closest opponent. In the end, however, it was Godwin who was getting the raves.
"It's the best performance I've ever seen by a 16-year-old," said his coach Bart
Maderios. "David's quite the inspiration for teens his age. He's the real thing. No bells and whistles. He beats me regularly
and I have a 125 average. In two years, he should be the top rookie on the professional tour."
The Whittier junior bowls in four leagues and still maintains honor grades. Two
leagues are against adult competition. A year ago, he held a 112 average. Now, it's 124. He's got a high single of 181; a
high triple of 419, and a high five score of 684. In Nova Scotia, only one string was below the 110 mark.
He attributes his success to Coach Bart and pros like Chris Sargent and Gary "Babe"
Carrington for providing some motivation. Godwin got the bug as a 5-year-old while watching his grandmother throw balls.
"She used to bring me to the alleys and I gradually began to bowl on my own,"
he recalled. "The junior leagues at Pilgrim have been a wonderful outlet. I've got some of the best people around helping
me. Now I'm bowling against them." | 
