Warren missileer crowned as DOD 'Kingpin'

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jeff Bohn
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. (AFPN) --  To win a local sporting event is an achievement, to compete and win at Air Force level is a heralded milestone, and to take home the gold at a Department of Defense event is worthy of gladiator recognition.

Second Lt. Rickie Banister, a 319th Missile Squadron missileer, bowled over the competition overcoming a final day, 50-pin deficit and was crowned the best bowler in the U.S. Armed Forces at the DOD tournament March 20 at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.

The four-day event brought together 24 of the finest bowlers from across America's military services.

Banister led the event the first two days, but slipped to second place on Day 3. He recovered, rocking a tournament-high 1,429 pins in six games of Day 4 to lead by a 90-pin margin.

Over the course of the tournament, Banister went from sixth to first place -- beating three-time armed forces champion Ricky Beck from Ellsworth AFB, S.D.

"It was the best feeling I've ever had since I started bowling," Banister said. "I couldn't have done it without the support of my squadron. They have been great to me. I never would have been able to achieve (this) without my family -- the 319th."

Before competing at the DOD tournament, Banister had to vie for a position on the Air Force team, competing for one of only six positions. Seventeen of his competitors had been down this lane before as former Air Force team selectees and Banister was concerned about his chances of making the team against the veterans.

Fellow missileers, Frank Brooks and Christopher Williams, assured Banister that he belonged at the tournament.

"My confidence went way up," Banister said. "I never would have done it without my friends pulling me through like that."

With these accomplishments, it could be believed that Banister has been wearing bowling shoes all of his life. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

"Where I come from, they didn't have a bowling alley," he said of his childhood in an area near Hampton, Va.

Banister joined the Air Force in 1992 as an information manager and spent nine years enlisted before getting his commission. He picked up a bowling ball in 1995 at the encouragement of some friends, and found he had natural ability and raw talent. Over time, he improved his game with help and advice from professionals and mentors.

After he rolled his first perfect score of 300 in 1998, it "sparked something inside of me and I started practicing every day," he said. "The first one is always the hardest, after that it becomes easy."

Banister said he currently bowls in two leagues every day and free-bowls for 90 minutes -- averaging 10 games a day.

The next stop for Banister is the Professional Bowlers Association regional competition. He plans to continue improving his bowling game and hopes to add a successful military career to his achievements.