Jesuit’s Cory Ledet recognized for record high school bowling average

How does a 7-year-old record become a new record? With a little online research.

The United States High School Bowling Foundation recently recognized Jesuit’s Cory Ledet as Louisiana’s single-season record holder for highest average in high school competition.

Ledet averaged 234.3 in the spring varsity season of 2012.

Compiling bowling records for every state can be an inexact process. Entering 2019, the record was held by Brother Martin’s Cody Schaffer, who averaged 228.2 as a junior.

A discussion began when it appeared Catholic’s Philip O’Neil would break Schaffer’s mark. Ledet inquired about the record.

“I remember averaging over 230 in high school,” he said.

With the help of Jesuit bowling coach Todd Bourgeois, an online standings sheet for the 2012 season was located, verifying Ledet’s average. Additionally, he shot a 300 game during the prep season.

“I’m so glad that Cory Ledet’s average from the 2011-12 season was ‘re-discovered,’” said Mike Nyitray, president of the United States High School Bowling Foundation. “Once we were provided the league’s final standings Cory’s stats were able to be verified. Now he is the Louisiana boys high school state average record holder.

“We at the USHSBF believe everyone deserves to be recognized, no matter how long ago it may have been bowled. If proof can be provided, we are happy to recognize all high school bowling scoring records.”

Nyitray said that Ledet’s situation is not uncommon. “Over the years,” he said, “dozens and dozens of new records have been discovered.”

The website that contains all these state and national high school records is USHSBF.org, which was launched in January 2012. It also recognizes all honor scores (300 games and 800 series) that are available for all states in high school competition.

The high average record for Louisiana was originally credited to Archbishop Rummel’s Charles Noble, who averaged 223.8 average in 2013. It was broken in 2015 by another Rummel bowler, Perry Giambrone.

Schaffer moved it up to 226.8 in 2017 and then increased it to 227.2 in 2018. O’Neill topped Schaffer’s mark with a 229.4 average this spring.

Ledet said it was “pretty cool” to be recognized as the record-holder. “I told some of my friends,” he said.
Since high school, Ledet has bowled 20 perfect games and at least eight 800 series.

Records are made to be broken and he knows sometime in the future so will this one. But until then, Ledet is in the record book, even though it took seven years to get there.

If anyone knows of bowlers that have shot honor scores of 300 or 800 and might have scores higher than shown on the USHSBF website, please send to jlvangilder@cox.net. High school leagues in Louisiana date back to 1940.