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April 28, 2012

Area bowlers hit milestones

By Jim Rueda Free Press Sports Editor

MANKATO — The winter bowling season has ended in Mankato but not without its share of milestones.

Among those milestone makers was Nate McVenes, a longtime bowler in Mankato. The 31-year-old has been bowling since age 4 and apparently is just reaching his prime.

The Mankato East graduate bowls in the All-Star League at the Wow zone and rolled eight 800 series this season, which is believed to be a city record.

“I had more time to bowl this year,” McVenes said. “I got separated in August and then got divorced so I took all my extra energy and turned it into bowling.”

Down at Dutler’s Bowl, longtime competitor Ben Maus turned in another big year. Maus recorded five 300 games, which is a city record.

He nearly had a sixth two weeks ago when he rolled a 299. The sharpshooter is in Las Vegas this weekend competing at nationals.

Back in early October, 25-year-old Carson Kraft was also setting records at Dutler’s Bowl. The Hutchinson native, who now lives in Mankato, got into a groove and rolled the highest three-game series in the history of Mankato with an 857.

“There were a lot of people watching so it was a little nerve-racking, but I think I handled it OK,” Kraft said. “I’ve bowled six 300 games before so I’ve been in some high-pressure situations.”

More recently, veteran Dale Seath pulled a first in his career. The 58-year-old, who started bowling at age 8, was at the Wow Zone on April 4 when he rolled back-to-back 300 games.

“It was kind of nuts,” Seath said. “Bowling a 300 is more common than it used to be, but I’ve never come close to two in a row before.”

Not too many people were watching when Seath rolled the first one, but when he got close to the second one, nearly everyone in the house was paying attention.

“I just told myself to get the ball out of my hand and hit my target and see what happens,” he said. “When I hit that last strike there was a collective roar from everyone. It was nuts.”

He ended up with an 822 series for the night.

“I had 27 strikes in a row at one point,” he said. “I guess I faltered in that last game.”

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