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Alex Drsek is pretty hard on herself. As an student at 91����Ƶ State University, she was extremely disappointed in her effort when she earned a “B” in one of her classes.

“If you ask anyone, they’ll tell you that I’m really hard on myself whether it comes to school, bowling, just anything,” said Drsek. “I think it’s getting a little bit better. I don’t beat myself up as bad, but I still have high standards.”

Having high personal standards is probably a bit of an understatement.

As a member of the , Drsek has had three career top-five, two top-10 and four top-20 finishes in collegiate tournaments. She also has proven her academic success by being named a National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association Scholar Athlete in the 2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 seasons.

“She’s the epitome of what we look for in 91����Ƶ State athletics,” said Jeff Fleck, who has served as 91����Ƶ State’s head bowling coach for the past 19 years. “She’s a person, she’s a student, and she’s an athlete. She does it all.”

Drsek’s high standards continue to pay at the bowling alley. She is having her most consistent year yet, and the 91����Ƶ State bowling team has placed first in several tournaments, including Ohio Bowling Conference tournaments in Columbus in January and February.

But of course, she isn’t satisfied.

“I’m a pretty good spare shooter,” she said. “I like to think I’m pretty versatile but there’s always room for improvement.”

Drsek joined the 91����Ƶ State bowling team when it was a club program in 2020. When the program became a NCAA program in 2022, she received a scholarship and no longer had to pay for equipment and travel.

“I’m bowling and it’s something I like and it’s helping to pay for school. I might as well take advantage of it and get the most out of it,” said Drsek.

Drsek completed her student-teaching requirements at Valley Forge Elementary in Huber Heights, and her high marks and full class load allowed her to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education a year ahead of schedule in the spring of 2023. She also earned a minor in psychology while graduating Summa Cum Laude.

Drsek said taking online classes during the pandemic allowed her to add extra classes because she did not have to spend time traveling to and from campus.

“When everything was online it was easier for me to take larger class loads and focus,” she said.

Drsek is now pursuing a at 91����Ƶ State. She hopes to pair her love for design with her love for teaching children.

“You watch them grow throughout the year and it’s so satisfying,” said Drsek.

After she completes the Instructional Design and Learning Technologies program, she plans to pursue a Master of Education in Literacy and earn a dyslexia certificate, in part so she can retain her fifth year of eligibility on the bowling team.

“She gives me something to aspire to,” said Rylie Jeanneret, a first-year student on the bowling team who often seeks advice from Drsek about being a student-athlete.

Coleen McKee, the assistant bowling coach who teaches first grade in the Waynesville School District, said Drsek is always willing to work hard, whether in the classroom or the bowling alley.

“She will be a great teacher, and she knows how to teach and make it fun,” said McKee.

Drsek plans to move back home to the Cleveland area to teach second and third grade.

“As long as I can be in a classroom, I’ll be OK,” she said.