Fall is known as a great season of the year, with its bright colors and crisp, clear days.

Monday, October 04, 1999

Fall is known as a great season of the year, with its bright colors and crisp, clear days.

But at the Echo Lanes "fall" is the cry of every bowler when his ball hits the pins. This year’s season is already a month old, and in the first two weeks there was plenty of pin "fall."

Mike Matyas, a 20-year-old lefthander who rolls in the Echo 65ers, has topped all the efforts to date.

He started out well enough with a 228, even after blowing a 7 pin in the second frame. He then started to put it together with a 267 in his second. His last game he stroked strike after strike.

"After 10 in a row I was really shaking and on the 11th the 7 pin fell late," said Matyas.

He proceeded to bury the 12th ball in the pocket for his perfect 300 game and 795 series. "I really can’t remember much about the last ball, I was kinda numb," he said.

Just a few days before Matyas’ effort, Brian Bushlack of the Saturday Night Splits League put together a record night of his own.

He started with a 244 game, and then managed the first 11 strikes in his second, to leave a solid 10 pin that was flush in the pocket.

"They gave me that pin to take home with me, and I won’t forget it, said Brian. His last game was a 235 for a 778 total. Brian is the secretary/treasurer of the Austin Bowling Association.

The other highlight came from the youth ranks. Jesse Duholm, age 17, put together games of 241, 210, and 279 for a 730 series while bowling in the Saturday Jr. Majors. His 279 game included 11 out of 12 strikes, missing with a 2-pin leave in the third frame.

Terri Eikmeier topped the ladies year to date with a 634 series in the Echo Majors. Sue Mielke added a 623 in the Echo Bowlerettes. Other mens 700s include Dave Swoboda’s 757 and Larry Wolfe’s 713 both in the Echo 65ers.

Most of the scoring has slowed over the last two weeks due to what Mark Pregler states is a change in lane conditioner that was supposed to give bowlers a better shot and carry down less oil to the pindecks, also avoiding stuck ball calls.

"So far results have been very disappointing, but we will eventually work it out," said Pregler.

With the effort put forth by the addition of automatic scorers and an overall brighter appearance of the establishment, positive results should happen soon.

Look for the week’s high five report in all future columns.

Steve Booher’s bowling column appears Mondays.