4/24/2006

By Patrick Brettingen

USBC Communications

A Milwaukee-area bowler rolled a perfect three-game series that, if approved by the United States Bowling Congress, would become the ninth official 900 series in the 111-year history of certified league bowling.

Mark Wukoman rolled three consecutive 300 games for a 900 series on April 22 in the Saturday Night Men's Special League at Classic Lanes in the Milwaukee suburb of Greenfield, Wis. USBC is in the process of completing the standard verification process after an honor score is reported to have been rolled in a certified league.

An accomplished tournament bowler who has been competing in the sport for 40 years, Wukoman, 50, said he felt confident that night with a new bowling ball he had only used once before.

In the final frames of his last game, Wukoman said he tried not to think about making history with a 900 series despite the large crowd gathering on the concourse. The right-handed bowler said he tried to continue his planned routine of throwing his shots and sitting silently at the score table. His teammates, he said, superstitiously avoided speaking with him between shots, similar to a baseball pitcher with a no-hitter in progress.

When he stepped onto the approach in the 10th frame of the final game, Wukoman was tense and simply trying to release the ball cleanly. He managed to keep his nerves at bay to throw three solid strikes, then fell to the floor in joy and relief as he was swarmed by teammates and spectators.

"I collapsed on the approach," Wukoman said. "I didn't want to get up. Everybody was hugging me and giving me high fives. It was a moment in time I can't explain. It is the pinnacle of my career."

Prophetic words
During the first game of the league session, the final one of the season, Wukoman's teammates asked him if he'd be returning next season. He jokingly said he'd only come back if the world stopped spinning or he bowled a 900 series.

"I guess I'm coming back," Wukoman said. "I have to stay true to my word."

The Franklin, Wis., resident carries a 226 standard league average and has 14 certified 300 games and three certified 800 series to his credit. Wukoman's previous high series is 825. Wukoman is a member of the Red Carpet Waukesha team that currently is in third place in the team event at the USBC Open Championships in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Sport Bowling credited for 900
Wukoman credited the USBC Sport Bowling program for his historic performance. Sport Bowling is a series of leagues and tournaments conducted on challenging lane conditions that rewards skillful shot-making, consistency and spare shooting. Wukoman's 206 average in a Sport Bowling league at Alpine Lanes in Muskego, Wis., this season is the 26th highest Sport Bowling league average in the nation.

"I really thank USBC Sport Bowling," Wukoman said. "It has really sharpened up my game."

If approved, Wukoman's feat would make Classic Lanes the only bowling center to have more than one certified 900 series rolled on its lanes by more than one bowler. Milwaukee left-hander Tony Roventini recorded the second approved 900 series at Classic Lanes on Nov. 9, 1998. Roventini rolled his 900 on lanes 3-4. Wukoman bowled his perfect set on lanes 5-6.