Scott Yoder knows the history of the Pennsylvania State Bowling Tournament.

That's why the 30-year-old State College resident isn't too excited about his 704 series in the opening round of singles competition recently at Family Bowlaway.

The 704 leads the PSBA scratch singles category after the first weekend of the 11-weekend tournament that resumes Saturday at Family Bowlaway and Sherwood Lanes.

"It's not going to stand up," Yoder said. "Not a chance."

The last time a series that low won the tournament's scratch singles category was 1975, when Glenn McGregor of York and George Sizer of New Castle shared the honors with a 690.

Yoder's 704 was only the fourth-highest individual series overall during the opening weekend. Bob Dail Jr. of Bucks County bowled a 762 in team competition, Larry Woomer of Seven Mountains Bowling Association - same as Yoder - bowled a 718 in doubles and Paul Geiger bowled a 713 as part of a team.

Richard King of Butler won scratch singles when the PSBA Tournament was in Butler in 1994. He rolled a 772 that year.

Yoder had the highest average in the Seven Mountains Association two years ago at 233. He is averaging 221 this year and has been competing in the state tournament for 10 years.

"I go into the tournament every year with the attitude that I can't be beat," he said. "I believe there's no reason why I shouldn't win the tournament.

"There's a lot of bowlers throughout the state that go into it with that same attitude. That's what makes it such a good event."

Yoder placed 11th in all-events at last year's PSBA tournament in Harrisburg. He has carried a 200-plus average for 15 years.

"I found the lanes to be more difficult to solve (in Butler), but that's the way it always is at the state tournament," Yoder said. "They like to make it more challenging."

Yoder bowled a 225, 256 and 223 for his 704-set.

When he was 18, Yoder admitted to having aspirations of joining the pro bowling tour.

"I was ready to give it a shot and was preparing to do it when my wife got pregnant," he said. "I decided I'd be better off with a stable job rather than counting on money from a tournament win once every six weeks or so."

Yoder is employed as a network administrator today and has never bowled in a PBA Tournament. He bowled in regionals in 1993 and 1994, making the cut once.

Yoder will return to Sherwood Lanes May 2 as part of another five-man team. Bowlers are permitted to bowl in the team competition twice, but in singles and doubles only once.