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Bowling

Young player ties a national record

By LARRY BUGG
Published May 20, 2005

PORT RICHEY - Many bowlers will list one 800 series as the highlight of their career. A Port Richey girl is collecting 800 series. Melanie O'Grady tied a national record by shooting three in a year at Hudson Bowl.

O'Grady, a 16-year-old professional, turned in her first 800 when she rolled a state-record 835 on Sept. 15. She posted an 803 on Jan. 24 and had the third gem (815) on March 21.

What has made O'Grady so successful?

"I think it's because Melanie is an extremely accurate bowler," said her mother and manager, Pat. "She can focus in and hit her mark time after time."

"I try as hard as I can," said O'Grady, who averaged 226 in the High Rollers League. "I never settle for less."

O'Grady, who started in the sport at 11 at Crystal River's Manatee Lanes, is accustomed to performing such feats. But her third 800 threw her off.

"I was very surprised about that," she said. "Men have a lot of 800s."

Not thinking about the accomplishment works for her.

"I really didn't react much until the series was over," O'Grady said. "I try to block it out of my mind. I try to concentrate as much as I can.

"A lot of times, people get caught up," she said. "I try to stay as calm as I can and not think about it."

And she doesn't have the help of a coach. "I don't have any problems anymore where I need a coach. I can figure out and correct whatever I'm doing wrong."

O'Grady established a national Women's International Bowling Congress record at 15 when she logged a 300 game in 2004 at St. Petersburg's Sunshine Lanes. She was the youngest to produce a perfect performance.

The second-year pro competed in a 2004 Ladies Classic Tour event in Jacksonville, collecting $1,600 for second place. On June 3-5, O'Grady will be in the singles and mixed doubles competition at the Cream of the Crop Tournament at Port Richey's Lane Glo North. First place is $5,000 for each event.

Then in July, she will roll for $30,000 at the Mini Eliminator Tournament in Las Vegas. BOWL-A-THON: The Suncoast Kiwanis Club will have the Kiwanis International Bowl-a-thon from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at Manatee Lanes in Crystal River.

Businesses and individuals can sponsor a lane for $125. The proceeds will pay for defibrillators, which will be used in Citrus County Sheriff's Office patrol cars to revive people in emergency situations.

For information, call (352) 795-3727 or 795-4546.

[Last modified May 20, 2005, 01:06:18]