Many bowlers are taking their games to the next level as most leagues are beginning the home stretch of their seasons.

I wish to congratulate Todd Nelson on rolling 300 games on consecutive days. It is a feat that not many bowlers in the world have accomplished, let alone in our county. Nelson rolled a 300 game in the county tourney at Sherwood Lanes Feb. 20, then rolled a 300 game in league play at Freeway Lanes the next night.

A couple of bowlers who are no strangers to recording perfect games also found perfection again recently. Brian Marcellus rolled a 300 game, his ninth, at Sherwood Lanes during City League play.

Jeff Suchonic recorded his second 300 game of the season in Butler County Men’s Travel League play. It marks the first time in Suchonic’s career that he has rolled two perfect games in one season.

A couple of bowlers just missed perfection recently. Mike Keefer rolled a 299 game in Strikes N Spares League play at Family Bowlaway and Ron Lehman, averaging 235.97 in the Butler City League, rolled a 299 as part of a 750 series two weeks ago.

Strange perfectos

With the spate of 300 games this season, I compiled a short list of perfect-game firsts that have been recorded by the USBC.

• Steven Aiello of New Jersey and Fero Williams of Ohio hold the USBC record of 25 perfect games in one season.

• The first 300 game came in 1902 from Ernest Fosberg of Illinois.

• The first 300 game rolled on automatic pinsetting equipment was in 1953 by Bill Phillips of Texas.

• Jerry Edwards of Illinois rolled the first perfect game on synthetic lanes in 1977.

• Last but not least, Reed Townley of Alabama rolled games of 89 and 87 before rolling a 300 game. His 476 series is the lowest series with a perfect game involved.

Tip of the Week

Paying attention to where other bowlers are playing the lanes that you are bowling on can help you find a good line to the pocket.

If most of them are playing around the second arrow and scoring, try to play the same line.

You must pay attention to changing lane conditions caused by heavy play in the same area of the lanes. If the bowlers start to leave 10-pins or other spares and you are as well, it might be time to change lines.

Top scorers

• Scott Schrecongost rolled a 760 series to lead the Strikes N Spares League. Dave Yost fired a 751 and Mike Dunkerley added a 742 set

• Junior Suchonic rolled a 277 game and 743 series to lead the Buckhorn League

• Dan Manning tossed a 703 set to lead the Troy-Alan League

• Jason Burtner’s 269 game was tops in the Armco C League.

Duke claims crown

Norm Duke escaped with a 225-216 victory over Mika Koivuniemi to win the PBA U.S. Open..

The PBA Mark Roth Plastic Ball Championship will be telecast by ESPN at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Ron Willison is the bowling columnist for the Butler Eagle.