Xenia bowler’s 1st 300 game comes at state tourney
More than four decades on the lanes had not resulted in perfection, but Mike Barley had renewed hope.
“A couple of months ago, I picked up a 7-10 split and I thought maybe this is my year,” the Xenia resident said.
Barley, 49, was right as the longtime bowler — who first took to the lanes when he was 5 — rolled his first 300 game at the Ohio State United States Bowling Congress State Open Championship at Beaver-Vu Bowl on March 16 in the singles event. He posted a 300-209246—755.
“I had a good line and felt like I couldn’t miss,” he said.
Barley is one of 10 who have posted perfect scores in the first four weeks of the state tournament. Matt Farler, of Chillicothe, and Trey Ratliff, of Winchester, also rolled their first career 300 games at the competitive state event, Farler at Beaver-Vu and Ratliff at PlaMor Lanes.
Barley had been close before with a 298, but that was 15 years ago. So the prospect of perfection at state wasn’t one the 210-average bowler considered until the ninth frame.
“It was a lot tougher shot than usual, but they were all right in there,” he said.
Being surrounded by familiar faces on his home lanes was helpful, but nerves were to be expected as he closed in on his goal.
“Everybody quits bowling around you to watch,” he said.
But Barley didn’t let the big stage, the challenging lane conditions or the extra eyes rattle him as he closed the game the way it began — with a strike.
“I’ve been there when some of these guys bowled a 300 and they finally got to see me bowl one,” Barley said.
He hopes this is just the beginning.
“I’ve heard people say once you get one, they keep coming,” Barley said. “I sure hope so.”
Perfect at home: Barley isn’t the only local bowler to post a perfect game at the state tournament. Scott Buchanan and Sheldon Short, both of Dayton, rolled 300s at Beaver-Vu while Dayton’s Scott Smith shot his 300 at Pla-Mor.
Only one bowler has tallied an 800 series through the first month of tournament play as Dan Higgins, of Westerville, rolled an 803 on the opening weekend at Pla-Mor. The state tournament runs through May 12 at Beaver-Vu and Pla-Mor.