Keller bowls first 300 game in school history
10/21/2017 10:43:00 PM | Women's Bowling
Madysen Keller made Sam Houston history on Saturday, bowling the first 300 game in the 8th year of the program. In the process Keller helped the Bearkats to a win over SFA, a 5-0 day and surged to the top of the team standings.
The Bearkats needed every bit of Keller's perfection, edging SFA 1147-1135. Keller said she actually started thinking about the 300 game early on.
“I started thinking about the 300 in the 6 frame,” the junior said about the first perfect game of her career. “I know that's early but I thought there is a chance. If I don't it's okay because I'm filling frames but if I do, what a incredible way to end the day, against our rivals as well.”
While the pressure of bowling a perfect game is enough, Keller also knew every shot was needed to hold off SFA.
“I was nervous but I knew if I hit my mark I should be fine and the ball should do its job,” she said about stepping up in the 10th frame. “(On the last strike) I said in my head I did it! Also thought it should give SFA a run. We still had three bowlers to go and my teammates stepped up and finished it off to win the match.”
As a team, the Kats had a great day, winning all five matches, vaulting to the top of the standings. They will enter Sunday's bracket play as the No. 1 seed and will face SFA again.
“Today was a great day not because of the results score wise, but what we managed to accomplish more mentally,” said head coach Brad Hagen. “We were able to keep the emotions in check a lot more today whether we were down early or up late which allowed us to attack the lanes with a clearer head.”
Stephanie Zavala is third overall in the individual standings with a 231 average. Keller is fourth with a 219 average and Taryn Gray is sixth overall at 216. Hayley Connelly's 212 average gives the Bearkats four individuals in the top 10.
“It was a great group effort and I'm happy we were able to continue today with our momentum from yesterday despite an early lane issue that caused a 90-minute delay,” Hagen said. “Sunday morning match play is always grueling but we found what we were looking for this morning so if we can remain patiently aggressive in the morning, let the pattern develop, and stay present, we'll have a great chance to make a run for the hardware.”
