Brian Hower and Christine Mayers strike it big at Slate Belt area bowling centers

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Brian Hower and Christine Mayers share a common thread that's separated only by the passage of time. Both hail from the Slate Belt area and come from the successful Blue Valley junior program.

The 52-year-old Hower fondly recalls his days as a junior as some of the best times he's enjoyed in the sport. His success has carried over since those days three decades ago and continues to write new chapters in a book filled with highlights.

Maybe 30 years from now the 16-year-old Mayers can reflect on her memories and tell the tale of when she put up one of the highest series ever turned in by an area junior.

Mayers, from Bushkill Township, not only topped the 700 mark for the first time, she put up a number that could be hard to match. Her 278-234-236--758 stands alone since Jacqui Reese's 814 in March 2003.


''I was really focused,'' said the junior at Nazareth Area High School. ''I brought my A-game and I'm proud at what I did.''


Mayers scrunched a big string in the opening 278 and didn't take her foot off the accelerator until she totaled 512 after two games and had a legitimate shot at 700.


''The lanes were wearing down and I didn't add up what I had but I figured after the seventh frame I kind of felt I had 700," Mayers said. "I just kept it going until the end.''


Mayers has her average on the upward swing and 758 helps the cause. She's currently rolling at a 182 clip and with the help of her father, Todd, and coach Craig Parsons is looking for 190.

For all of Hower's success, he waited until 50 before tapping Bangor Bowling Center for his first 300 game. He's picked up two more perfect games at the always tough Bangor Bowling Center, but it's an 800 that he needed to check off the bucket list.

Hower closed another chapter as he clipped Bangor Bowling Center for a rare 800. His 279-269-256--804 in the Monday Night Early League has him wondering if he should compare himself to a fine wine?


''Maybe I'm getting better with age,'' Hower quipped. ''I'm learning to have more fun and I think it shows. The nice thing about that night was the whole league stuck around to watch.''


Hower kicked off his evening with the front eight before a 9-pin stopped him. Only a couple of 10-pins in the middle game thwarted another crack at 300 and left him with a stout 548.


''I did add it up and I thought I had a shot at it," Hower said. "I wasn't focused on it too much until I got up for the 10th frame. I knew I needed the first one and it went high flush. After that I really didn't care what I had.''


The 804 helps the cause and has his average over 226, erasing a previous high of 798. He's also adopted a simple philosophy on the game.


''I don't really care about winning anymore," Hower said. "I just hate losing.''


It's raining 300s

A steady stream of perfect games were turned in last week to push the season total to 121. As has been the case all season, Blue Valley topped the list with seven 300, including four in a recent tournament.

Justin Strouse sandwiched a 232 and 279 around 300 for an 811 set. Steve Smith (722) and Ed Altner (757) were joined by Dustin Heckman, Rob Dutt, Tim Roof and Paul Donovan pushing the Wind Gap center's tally to 50.

Greg Rottengen continued his steady pace as he put up 12 straight at Oakwood during a 701 set. Mums Armellino nearly did the double but fell shy with 300-795 at the Bethlehem Panthers.

Mike Fritsche carded 300 in the Rich Konopelski Memorial League at West Hunterdon en route to 751. The week's final 300 came from the left hand of Lee Sandt, who polished off an 827 at Town & Country.

Jim Patten and Rob Surdyka eclipsed the 800 barrier without the aid of a 300. Patten rolled out a consistent 825 at Bar-Don with games of 278, 268 and 279. Surdyka nearly went back to back at Blue Valley before settling for 299 and 289. He finished with a 236 and an 824 series.

Krista Sandt posted the lone 700 for the women thanks to a 256-734 at Town & Country.

Last week's 300 games

Mums Armellino, Bethlehem Panthers
Justin Strouse, Blue Valley
Steve Smith, Blue Valley
Ed Altner, Blue Valley
Dustin Heckman, Blue Valley
Rob Dutt, Blue Valley
Paul Donovan, Blue Valley
Tim Roof, Blue Valley
Greg Rottengen, Oakwood
Lee Sandt, Town & Country
Mike Fritsche, West Hunterdon
Season total: 121

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