Wisconsin bowler rolls first career 300 at USBC Open
May 17, 2014
RENO, Nev. - Mike Maerder of Dousman, Wis., relied on the support of his family as he finished off his first career 300 game at the 2014 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships on Friday night.
The 39-year-old right-hander connected on 12 consecutive strikes to finish off his doubles set at the National Bowling Stadium. It was the 19th perfect game of the 2014 event. Maerder started his set with games of 169 and 186 for a 655 series, the highest set of his seven USBC Open Championships appearances.
Maerder's 300 was just the second rolled during doubles this year. Robert McFadden of Bel Air, Md., fired the other on April 29.
Maerder felt the conditions played to his strengths during the final game. After recording the first two strikes in the 10th frame, he turned around after his 12th delivery and relied on his friends and family to let him know the good news.
"I was just feeling it," Maerder said. "Every one of them was pure. I didn't look on the last one, since it felt good off my hand, and I listened to everybody cheer. It was overwhelming. To bowl my first 300 here is the ultimate for me."
Some of the first people to congratulate Maerder were his father, Rodger, and brothers, Douglas and Joel. This year marked the 24th Open Championships appearance for all three, and Maerder is just as excited to help them celebrate their 25th year of participation at the 2015 event in El Paso, Texas, as he is to hear his name announced as a tournament celebrity.
"I owe it all to them," Maerder said. "They inspire me, and they brought me here. El Paso will be the 25th for all of them, and I can't wait to get there and see them get their awards. Those guys made it happen for me, and my father is No. 1."
Maerder added 626 in team and 479 in singles for a career-best 1,760 all-events total.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
Presenting sponsors for the 2014 USBC Open Championships include Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno.
The 39-year-old right-hander connected on 12 consecutive strikes to finish off his doubles set at the National Bowling Stadium. It was the 19th perfect game of the 2014 event. Maerder started his set with games of 169 and 186 for a 655 series, the highest set of his seven USBC Open Championships appearances.
Maerder's 300 was just the second rolled during doubles this year. Robert McFadden of Bel Air, Md., fired the other on April 29.
Maerder felt the conditions played to his strengths during the final game. After recording the first two strikes in the 10th frame, he turned around after his 12th delivery and relied on his friends and family to let him know the good news.
"I was just feeling it," Maerder said. "Every one of them was pure. I didn't look on the last one, since it felt good off my hand, and I listened to everybody cheer. It was overwhelming. To bowl my first 300 here is the ultimate for me."
Some of the first people to congratulate Maerder were his father, Rodger, and brothers, Douglas and Joel. This year marked the 24th Open Championships appearance for all three, and Maerder is just as excited to help them celebrate their 25th year of participation at the 2015 event in El Paso, Texas, as he is to hear his name announced as a tournament celebrity.
"I owe it all to them," Maerder said. "They inspire me, and they brought me here. El Paso will be the 25th for all of them, and I can't wait to get there and see them get their awards. Those guys made it happen for me, and my father is No. 1."
Maerder added 626 in team and 479 in singles for a career-best 1,760 all-events total.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
Presenting sponsors for the 2014 USBC Open Championships include Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno.