Neilan sets bowling record

Jerry Neilan achieved his lifelong goal and set a new record at the Ritzville Bowling Alley on April 18 when he bowled the first ever 800 series recorded at the local alley. It also marked the first time the 73-year-old has bowled an 800-series.

He earned the house and personal record by bowling 250, 265 and 299 games during the league competition and was bowling as a member of the Cow Creek team.

Neilan began competitively bowling at the age of 19, and he said it took him until last year to bowl his first perfect game. He began bowling with an intramural bowling league in college while he was attending North Dakota School of Science.

Neilan now competes in the local bowling leagues, filling in on teams where necessary, and currently holds the second highest average of the bowlers at the local alley with a 216. The highest series Neilan had bowled before the 800-series was a 794 in 2009.

The record breaking bowling night for Neilan brought much excitement and also a few coincidences. Neilan set the alley record while he was wearing the same hat and shirt, and using the same bowling ball, as he was last year when he bowled his first perfect game. Neilan rotates between about six bowling balls and had not used the black bowling ball since he bowled his perfect game last year.

Neilan’s bowling experience extends far beyond Ritzville as he worked as the manager of the Ephrata bowling alley for 21 years. Neilan continues to bowl for the fun of the game and enjoys the camaraderie and competition between other athletes.

At least twice a week Neilan can be found in the Ritzville alley in his favorite lanes, three and four, practicing for upcoming competitions and continuing to perfect his game. He explained the lanes are always changing based on when the floor has been conditioned, and the practice helps him to quickly adjust to the conditions during competitions.