ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Gavan Graham’s bowling journey has amounted to great success thus far.

But, according to the Bridgeport High School junior, he’s just getting started.

After reaching district play his first two years of high school, Graham has lofty goals this season.

“I would like to make it state this year,” Graham said last week prior to a match at St. Clair Lanes.

“I’ve done pretty well so far, but I need to push myself to get better this season and next.”

With the graduation of Kaity Tennant, Graham has somewhat assumed the leadership role for the Bulldogs. He said he’s eager to follow in her footsteps and help continue that burgeoning tradition that’s developing around the Bridgeport program.

“Kaity taught me how to be a better leader,” he said.

“I just had to learn how to take it over when she graduated.”

While Graham is new to the leadership post, bowling has been a part of his entire life.

“I’ve been bowling since I was 3,” he said, noting his grandparents’ parents bowled. “I remember bowling with two hands. just pushing the ball down the lane and all that stuff.”

St. Clair Lanes has also become a home away from home, of sorts. Graham cites the Holubeck family, and Gary Holubeck, as major influences in his life.

“It’s my pace to get away,” Graham said of the longtime bowling house. “I get locked in when I’m here bowling for the school. It’s just fun.”

St. Clair Lanes is also the home house for Bridgeport, which has made Graham’s transition into prep bowling an almost seemless one.

“I’ve been bowling in other tournaments for a long time,” he said.

“(Bowling in high school) was a little bit different, at first. But I like seeing how I can do against other schools. It’s fun.”

Graham’s excited to see what the future holds, especially this winter.

“I;m going to concern myself about sectionals first this year,” he said. “If I get to district, I’ll do my hardest to get locked into that and get myself ready there.”