Two weeks ago, Jefferson High School senior bowler Will James nervously went into the final frames of a Saturday morning youth league match knowing that twin sister Lindsey was beating him.

Bowling on opposing teams, Will calculated he’d have to roll a near-perfect final game to overtake his sister. So what does he do but knock out a 289 to close out the series and top Lindsey’s score by 15 pins.

“She hates it when I beat her,” says Will.

The two aces of their respective J-Hawk varsity bowling teams, the James twins have been friendly rivals even before they were born. Lindsey is the older one by 33 minutes, since their mother Bev had to have a C-section before delivering her baby son 18 years ago on July 12.

“They’re both pretty competitive, especially against each,” says their mom.

Though they do look alike, Will towers over his big sister at 5-foot-11. She’s barely over five foot.

Both stand tall at the bowling alley, however, where each is leading their Jefferson team to another strong season. Will carries a 205 average, while Lindsey averages 180.

And while Lindsey admits she was a little off Thursday at the Cedar Rapids Bowling Center, both played big roles as the boys' and girls' teams took a doubleheader win over their counterparts from Kennedy.

As his team’s leadoff bowler, Will helped the Jefferson boys (5-2) whip the Cougars (3-4) by a score of 3,033 to 2,592.

Bowling second for the girls, Lindsey came back from a sub-par first game with a 193 in the second as the J-Hawk girls (6-1) rolled 2,749 to 2,572 for Kennedy (5-2).

“Both of them are real nice kids and good students,” says veteran Jefferson Coach Virg Cerveny. “And both of them have worked very hard to get where they are.”

Each began bowling at the age of 4 and have never quit. Their mother says their talent comes naturally, since they come from a long lineage of bowlers.

Their mother is a bowler (carrying a 145 league average), as is dad Harold. Most of their aunts, uncles and cousins are also regulars in local youth and adult leagues.

Last year, grandmother Linda Bruce had six grandchilren bowling on high school teams.

Cousin Quincy Bruce is a senior star at Cedar Rapids Washington and is headed to Grand View University next fall on a bowling scholarship.

“He’s one of the best there is on the Cedar Rapids high schools,” says Will. “He helps me out a lot.”

After attending Kirkwood, Will wants to continue his bowling career at Mount Mercy University, where Cerveny serves as an assistant coach. He plans to study business.

Lindsey also intends to attend Kirkwood, then would like to move on to the University of Northern Iowa. She’s interested in psychology but also has a knack for the culinary arts.

“Both of the kids are awesome,” says their mother. “I’m proud of both of them.”

BOYS RESULTS

JEFFERSON (3,033): Will James 148-201=349, Victor Baccam 167-172=339, Zach Ficken 170-191=361, Sean Ely 212-145=357, Christian Hindt 224-183=417, Austin Kluth 237-236=473.

KENNEDY (2,592): Seth Nutt 152-134=286, Doug Svoboda 160-162=322, Aaron Smith 158-140=298, Alec White 153-162=315, Kyle Custer 188-228=416, Troy McKiernan 207-194=401.

Round one: Jefferson 1957, Kennedy 1752. Baker round: Jefferson 1076, Kennedy 840

GIRLS RESULTS

JEFFERSON (2749): Savannah Fowler 195-193=388, Lindsey James 153-193=346, Rebecca Early 169-179=348, Jessie Alff 207-161=368, Rylea Bennett 138-201=339, Nicole Petersen 186-192=378.

KENNEDY (2572): Lisa Warnock 132-141=273, Laura Fischer 170-130=300, Jessie Schoettmer 171-230=401, Niki Dean 121-128=249, Zariell Oldfield 92-122=214, Amanda Wiedemeier 233-231=464.

Round one: Jefferson 1828, Kennedy 1687. Baker Round: Jefferson 921, Kennedy 885