URBANDALE — Fort Dodge’s Trenton Beck knows what to do when he’s struggling.

On Tuesday in a state qualifying meet, Beck didn’t struggle much — but went to a different strategy nonetheless after a relatively slow start.

“My first game was a low 202, which put me in a good mood,” Beck said. “I always tell myself, ‘if you’re having a rough time, just have fun,’ which was one of our team mottos. All that hard work at practice really paid off.”

Beck, who was part of last year’s state title team at FDSH, punched his own state ticket with a district high series of 672. Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson’s Kendall Bell (662) was runner-up.

After his 202, Beck followed with a 233 and 237.

“Making state is always the goal. Now, the end goal is to bring home a state title,” Beck said. “It was a long day between team and individual. We came up short on making it to state as a team coming in at third place.

“During our break, I flushed that out and focused on myself to get me to where I did.”

Making adjustments to the lanes was key for Beck to come out on top.

“This bowling alley was a tough one for the whole team, but at the start of the individual games, I found where I needed to throw my ball and I was on a roll strike after strike,” Beck said. “Even after I left a few seven pins I didn’t let that get to me, I focused on my spares and that helped my games out a lot.”

For the last three years, Beck has been on varsity and was a key part to the 2023 title run. He was the only returner this winter.

“Trenton is pretty locked in right now,” said FDSH head coach Nick Vinson. “Any other year, he would have been the conference champion as well.

“He has really been dialed in.”

Beck was quick to point out the help from his coach that steered him in the right direction.

“I can’t thank my number one coach Julie (Ulrich) for coaching me for the last three years. I have been part of two really good teams, one of those we brought home the state title,” Beck said. “Going into the last game I was really nervous, because I didn’t know if I was even going to qualify, but that last game helped me out. I had four strikes in a row and wrapped a seven pin in the eighth frame so I told myself to add 60 and I did, which put me into first place.

“Now it’s time to add another state title to my name.”

Ulirch was happy the way Beck stayed focused during the individual qualifying.

“Trenton did a great job staying focused and was able to stay dialed in and shoot a big series,” Ulrich said. “This is his third year as a varsity bowler and his experience in big competitions really showed.

“Being our only returning bowler from our state championship team, he has been a great leader this season. I’m so proud of him and excited to take him to state.”

The Dodger team just missed a team qualifying spot, finishing third with 2,884 points. Newton (2,996) and Dowling (2,956) advanced from the district.

“We bowled 80 pins higher and it still wasn’t enough,” Vinson said. “Sometimes it feels better to lose by 200 than be close at 60. We had five new bowlers this year on varsity and they responded well. They gave themselves a chance.

“It stings a little bit right now.”

The Dodgers burst out of the gate in the first round of bakers, rolling a lane-high 224. Seven of their 15 games were 200 or better, led by a 225. Dowling had seven 200s; Newton and Urbandale had five each.

“All of our boys bowled so well,” Ulrich said. “To come into districts as the seventh seed team averaging a 166 in bakers and place third after averaging 192 over 15 games was awesome. With how they competed the boys showed that the Dodgers should never be overlooked.

“It was tough to miss out on qualifying as a team by just 72 pins. It wasn’t the end to the season we all wanted, but I’m very proud of their team effort.”

The individual state tournament is Monday at Cadillac Lanes in Waterloo.