Moses Lake man reaches bowling perfection
Lake Bowl regular Christopher Svelnys smiles for a photo at Lake Bowl in Moses Lake. He bowled 12 strikes in a row for a perfect game Thursday.
MOSES LAKE - Lake Bowl crowned a kingpin Thursday. Connecticut native, now Moses Lake resident, Christopher Svelnys bowled a perfect game; his tenth 300 game, his third in Washington.
Svelnys did not actually get a crown, however he will receive a ring from the United States Bowling Commission (USBC). When he receives this one, Svelnys will be able to put one ring from every 300 game, on every finger of both hands.
Svelnys moved to Moses Lake in 2006. Within the first few months he bowled two 300 games, but hasn't pulled a perfect game since, until Thursday.
Svelnys has bowled all over the United States with junior leagues and college teams. He also represented the United States at a tournament in New Zealand and Australia, where he competed against those countries and China. His team earned fifth place out of 50 and he took ninth place individually. He was 19 and nominated, he thinks, after his first 300 game earlier that year.
Bowling also took Svelnys to college. He attended Sacred Heart University in Connecticut for two years on a bowling scholarship.
Bowling is a big part of Svelnys' history.
His father earned a USBC ring by bowling a high series, wherein 800 points are earned in three consecutive league games.
When Svelnys got home after bowling his perfect game, he said his dad said, "Didn't get a 800 though!"
Svelnys' grandfather would probably have something to say about his play as well, if he was still around. His grandfather is in the Connecticut Bowling Hall of Fame. He started Svelnys bowling.
Svelnys said he has bowled every Saturday since he was 12.
These days Svelnys bowls at Lake Bowl in two leagues including Monday's mix league with the Sweet Shots and Thursdays for the men's league with Trophies by Tim.
"Bowling has been for many years the number 1 indoor recreational sport. I'd like to see more bowlers come out," Svelnys said.
He said he is proud to bowl for Moses Lake, and appreciates all the staff at Lake Bowl, and his number 1 fan, Devyn Elder, who watches his team play every week.
Svelnys doesn't know when he will bowl his next 300. He said there were a few lucky breaks on Thursday that won him the perfect game. He said it is every professional bowler's goal to get a 300 every game. So, he said, the next one might be thrown today.
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