Mahr keeps adding to local legacy on lanes

By DEREK J. LaRIVIERE, Times Correspondent
Published August 10, 2007

Barry Bonds began his ascent 22 years ago toward a record he finally broke Tuesday night. Jason Mahr began a journey toward his ultimate goal 19 years ago, also setting a record Tuesday night.

Only in Hernando County could Mahr's toppling of a high series record be compared to the 756th homer of a future Hall of Famer's career. The exploits of Mahr's season have been well-documented, but even with all of his accomplishments this season, this latest has to be the crown jewel. From his now-record 10 perfect games this season to his first professional title in the 19th annual Spring Hill PBA Southern Regional, Mahr had plenty of feathers in his cap.

Even with all of that, the best bowler in the county still had not tossed either of the top series on local lanes. Jay Olsen and Joe Correa added up 856 series over the past two years at Spring Hill Lanes. Olsen was on hand at Mariner on Tuesday night. He seemed clairvoyant to Mahr.

"In practice Jay told me, 'Tonight you're breaking the county record,' " Mahr said. "He was planning on leaving after the first game, but when that first 300 came out, he stuck around."

Mahr's opening 300 in the Tuesday Summer Metro League was followed by a 299 - one strike from back-to-back perfect games and 24 consecutive strikes. He wrapped up the evening with a 279, also one frame from perfection with a spare in the third frame. The 878 should be a record that's tough to top. It also was his seventh 800 series of the year, extending another county record.

Earlier this season, the owner of KMA Pro Shop at Mariner Lanes tied the house record with 836. At the time, the mark tied Kevin Williams' former top three-game score, a standard he set when he owned a pro shop at the center.

Mahr has separated himself from the pack so many times in the 2006-07 season it would be hard to foresee anyone, even himself, doing this well again.

"All I can do is keep trying to outdo myself," Mahr said. "Every time I go out there, I am looking to throw strikes."

So which was more important Tuesday night, 756 or 878? At Mariner Lanes, the answer was obvious.

[Last modified August 9, 2007, 20:38:35]