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57 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, October 9, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 5, 2004 Gerber, 14, bowls first 300 game Billy Gerber had an inclination he was on the verge of bowling his first perfect game. The 14-year-old Grants Pass High freshman’s premonition proved correct when he rolled a 300 game in the Generation X League at Lava Lanes Thursday night. Lucas Padilla, 17, was the last junior bowler to register a 300 game when he achieved it in the 2003 Medford City Tournament at Medford Lanes. "We’re trying to figure out if Billy was the youngest one in the Medford area to bowl a 300," said Generation X League coach Vicki Rennick. "I don’t know of anyone that young to do it since I’ve been involved for the past 14 years." Gerber’s previous high game was a 280 about a month ago. He rolled a 300 in practice last year. "I’ve been telling people I was going to get one (a 300) in the next three months," said Gerber. "And I got it." Advertisement Gerber attributes the change to a 15-pound ball, improved form and listening to his coaches as reasons for his success. Gerber opened what would be a 619 series with the 300 game, followed by scores of 235 and 156. His high series is a 764, posted this year in a league at Caveman Bowl in Grants Pass. He found a good groove during his perfect game and sensed about midway through he was onto something special. "Every shot was in the pocket, except in the eighth frame," said Gerber. "It went high, and I adjusted on that." When Gerber stepped on the approach for his 12th and final ball, he looked around and saw quite a crowd gathered behind his lane. "As soon as the ball came out of my hands, everyone was screaming ‘get in the hole, get in the hole,’" said Gerber. "It pounded the pocket. I couldn’t believe I did it under that much pressure. It was way cool." Bowling James Dowling of Medford rolled his first 300 game, reaching perfection in the Monday Night Strikers League at Lava Lanes. Dowling, who has a 206 average, had games of 192 and 191 for a 683 series. Taz Sutherlin rolled an 823 series with games of 279, 290 and 254 in the Columbia Scratch League at Lava Lanes on Sept. 30. Golf Ruth Walker recorded a hole-in-one on the 140-yard fifth hole at Cedar Links Golf Course on Sept. 1. Annette Sonnentag, Judy Laws and Trea Hicks witnessed the 9-wood ace. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities