While it often takes bowlers some time to find the right groove on the lanes, the Pearl City boys’ bowling team has relied on consistent influxes of talent to string together a dynastic run.

Case in point, Pearl City coach James Hayashi had a very reliable source to consult when Nicholas Azumi tried out for the Chargers squad four years ago.

Hayashi first noticed Azumi in middle school when the youngster participated in a junior bowling program at Leeward Bowl, which conveniently sits just a short drive away from the Pearl City campus. Hayashi has also known Azumi’s father, Glen, for more than 20 years, as the pair had bowled together in leagues. The friendship made the fact-finding process simple for Hayashi, and when it came time for Azumi to try out for the team as a freshman, the coach’s decision was a no-brainer.

"He used to bowl on the Hawaii TV Bowling tournaments, and I knew his father very well," said Hayashi. "Usually when the guys are in the seventh and eighth grade and participate in junior bowling, I check them out to see what kind of bowlers they are, and what talent they have at that age. I ask if they have plans to attend Pearl City — it’s convenient."

The de facto feeder system has allowed Hayashi to build a consistent line of contenders as Azumi and his Chargers teammates aim for a fourth consecutive sweep of the OIA and state championships.

The Pearl City boys claimed the "Triple Crown" — winning the OIA West, OIA and state championships — last year, and became the first to win three straight state championships since Aiea (1998-2000). No team, however, has completed the four-peat, and should Pearl City accomplish the feat later this year, Azumi will become the first bowler to be a part of such an insurmountable feat.

This season, the Chargers are gunning for the "Grand Slam."

"It would be an honor to do that," said Azumi of the possible fourth straight title. "It’s inspirational for us. If we’re bowling badly, we just think back to (the goal), and we bowl better."

While Azumi has tasted nothing but victory in OIA and state championship competition, the senior is still chasing individual gold. He finished second to Mililani’s Ronson Dagdag at the 2012 OIA title meet and third at last year’s state championship competition behind Dagdag and runner-up Ian Shanks of Island Pacific Academy.

"It was a good challenge to go up against him and keep up — there was a lot of pressure," said Azumi of Dagdag, who has since graduated. "Now, I’m just trying to keep my average up and score high."

Azumi has his sights set on earning a collegiate bowling scholarship, although he is still going through the early stages of the recruitment and application process. The student-athlete said that his goal is to improve his grades, and while he does not have a college major in mind yet, Azumi would like to pursue a career in a construction-related field.

"Bowling runs in my family," said Azumi, who recalls taking up the sport when he was 5. "I enjoy the competition. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become better and better."

Pearl City headlines the OIA West yet again after winning the first three league matches. Hayashi explains that Azumi has only bowled in one competition thus far, as the skipper is saving his "ace in the hole" for the stretch run, when competition stiffens. In the Aug. 29 competition in which Azumi participated, he posted an event-best three-game score of 691 and tallied the day’s second-best individual game score with a 258.

"He’s one of my top bowlers, and I’ve seen a lot of improvement from him since he was a freshman. He can really focus on the lanes, his concentration is great," said Hayashi, who noted that Azumi will bowl in Thursday’s competition against Kapolei at Schofield Bowling Center. "He’s really motivated to win the state title. Having a leader like that is so positive because the other bowlers want to keep up with him. It really motivates the team."

Hayashi normally carries eight bowlers on his roster, and shuffles his lineups weekly to make sure his veterans face heightened competition, while younger bowlers earn experience early by competing against those opponents that don’t match up to Pearl City’s talent level. In an effort to continue the Chargers’ run, Hayashi has already identified the next wave of talent, including junior Skyler Wakamoto — one of the coach’s picks to lead the team next season after Azumi graduates.

Hayashi also tabs sophomore Ryan Kajihiro, who is averaging 231 thus far and recently rolled a perfect game (300) at a Leeward Bowl doubles competition, as another featured bowler coming through the Pearl City pipeline. Ken Hayase-Fong, senior and team co-captain along with Azumi, averages 224, while underclassmen Aaron Rafael (212 average) — the winner of the aforementioned Leeward Bowl tournament — and Keenan Kihara (207 average) round out the Chargers’ potent lineup.

"It’s all about the team," Azumi said. "If it wasn’t for my teammates, we wouldn’t be winning all the time. It’s not just an individual thing; we all help each other out."