Joey Nix finds perfect touch — again — for Thomas Jefferson bowling

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, February 22, 2026 | 11:01 AM

Some bowlers never are able roll a 300 game in a lifetime.

Thomas Jefferson senior Joey Nix has accomplished the feat twice during his decorated high school career.

Nix tossed his second 300 on Jan. 14 at Spins Bowl, his home alley located on Buttermilk Hollow Road in West Mifflin — the same place as his first one. Nix is the first student to ever roll a perfect game, and now two, in TJ Bowling Club history.

“One memorable moment from the regular season was Joey bowling his second perfect game of his career,” TJ coach Chris Hrizo said. “Joey bowled his first perfect game — and the school’s first — in his sophomore year. To date, he has the honor of being the only bowler in TJ bowling history to throw not one but two 300s.”

Hrizo was not able to watch Nix’s latest achievement in person due to a work commitment.

“I wasn’t there to witness it,” Hrizo said. “Unfortunately, I had a work commitment and was out of town. But that was the best text message, for sure, that I received that day.

“I was there for his first one and remembered how exciting and dramatic it was. I’m really happy for him.”

The previous single-game record was 299, set by former TJ coach Louie Scataglia, who bowled for the Jaguars from 2012-16 and set the mark in his senior season.

Nix achieved his most recent 300 in Game 1 against Carlynton at the WPIBL team tournament. He said he had to overcome a case of the “nerves” in registering the 300.

“When I bowled my second 300, I was beyond excited,” Nix said, “although very nervous in the 10th frame. I’m very proud of bowling both 300s while competing for my high school team.

“These are the only two I have ever bowled. I’m not sure if the lanes were the same, but I do know they were almost exactly two years apart at the same alley.”

At 6-foot, 220 pounds, the 18-year-old Nix has a commanding presence on and off the lanes.

“I plan on starting my own concrete business after high school,” he said.

The TJ bowler uses a Purple Hammer ball when on the lanes. He explained his unique and difficult “one-handed” bowling style.

“I bowl one-handed with my right hand,” he said. “I hook my ball when I throw and do a fast curve. I used to just throw the ball straight down the lane and after watching other bowlers and YouTube videos, I learned to bowl one-handed with a curve.”

Nix has a 206 average and noted his favorite professional bowler is E.J. Tackett.

“He has multiple PBA titles and one of the highest season averages,” Nix said. “We also share a love for golf.”

The TJ boys starting lineup this season consists of Nix, senior Xavier Lyle and juniors Max Jones, Blake Barchfeld and Jordan Crisp.

“We’ve been able to get some other bowlers in the lineup,” said Hrizo, the Jaguars’ first-year mentor said, “such as junior Jacob Hrizo and sophomore Patrick Mooney when there are no conflicts with boys basketball or when we have a bowler out sick.”

The girls team had only four competitors — freshman Kylie Suprek and sophomores Anneke Petry, Kendalynn Brandt and Annalise Williams.

“Our girls’ lineup didn’t change weekly,” coach Hrizo said. “Teams are comprised of five bowlers for match play; this put us at a disadvantage when competing against teams with five bowlers.

“It’s quite an accomplishment that our girls competed for a playoff spot with a four-bowler lineup.”

The Jaguars were led at the WPIBL section tournament by Williams, who racked up a 582 series to finish third individually.

Late in the season, Williams led the South Section with a sparkling 203.76 average.

“She’s on track to finish strong this year,” said Hrizo, who is a metallurgist serving as the vice president of product technology for Whemco and director of research and technology for Lehigh Heavy Forge, a subsidiary of Whemco, Inc.

Nix and Lyle were the team leaders for the boys squad with averages of 206.83 and 206.38, respectively. Crisp was averaging 188.13.

“All four — Joey Nix, Xavier Lyle, Jordan Crisp and Annalse Williams — qualified for the WPIBL individual championships,” coach Hrizo said, “and I expect them to make runs for the state championships. We look to make a lot of memories in the postseason.

“Crisp has been a major contributor to the boys’ success this year.”

Both squads at TJ finished second in the section to earn berths in the WPIBL team finals.

Tags: Thomas Jefferson