When Larry Eikmeier woke up last Tuesday, he had a bad cold and was not even sure he wanted to bowl in the Metro League that night.

Monday, March 29, 1999

When Larry Eikmeier woke up last Tuesday, he had a bad cold and was not even sure he wanted to bowl in the Metro League that night. It was a good thing he did.

He was anything but cold that night. In fact, he was downright hot. He started with two identical 234 games.

"I thought it would be great to get a 234 triplicate, but when I started with the first 7 strikes in the third game, I set my sights a lot higher," said Eikmeier.

He struck all the way out to the 12th ball and then buried it in the 1-3 pocket, only to leave a solid 10 pin for a 299 game.

His 767 series is now the current high series rolled in Austin this year.

The other main attraction last week was accomplished by 13-year-old Mike Swoboda in the Monday Jr Majors.

He tallied a 703 series that included games of 214, 216, and a 273 finish to become the youngest bowler in Austin ever to roll a 700, overcoming the recent effort by 14-year-old Kevin Wolff.

Mike carries a 171 average for the season.

He is the son of Mary Jo and Dave Swoboda, a veteran bowler who has countless 700s of his own. It looks like the Swoboda name will be on the leader board for many years to come.

Mike Matyas shot a 751 in the 19th Hole league and is among a total of eight 700s shot for the week.

Joining him from the 19th Hole was Duane Dahlback with a 718.

Wheels Schaefer rolled two 700s with a 736 from the 65ers and an even 700 from the Hoot Owl.

The Centennial league brings forward Kevin Higbe, 172 average, who matched Eikmeier’s 299 game in his clash for perfection.

His 704 series teamed up with Tim Haldorson of the same league with a 724.

Marilyn Cochlin topped the ladies with a 628 total in the Adult Junior league. TJ Gullickson had the high game of 236.

Jessica Lenway of the Debs league rolled 100 pins over her average with a 235 game.

Darlene Berhow highlighted the senior ladies with a 202 and a 510 series that was well over her 129 average.

In other notables, Mike Nelson converted the 7-10 fenceposts split in the 65ers.

Lea Shawback led the senior men with a 662 series and Dale Ihrke had the high game of 264.

THE WEEK’S BEST

Men’s series

Larry Eikmeier 767, Mike Matyas 751, Wheels Schaefer 736-700, Tim Haldorson 724, Duane Dahlback 718, Kevin Higbe 704, Mike Swoboda 703

Men’s games

Larry Eikmeier 299, Kevin Higbe 299, Mike Matyas 279, Jeremy Olsen 278, Mike Swoboda 273

Women’s series

Marilyn Cochlin 628-609, Nadine Wehrhan 605, Linda Barclay 570, Nona Bauer 564, Mert Scott 564

Women’s games

TJ Gullickson 236, Jessica Lenway 235, Marilyn Cochlin 233, Nona Bauer 232, Beth Petersen 228

Steve Booher’s column appears Mondays