Recordpub.com - It's hard to be perfect, but Illner was for one day

By Susan Jenior

Record-Courier correspondent

Perfection is difficult to achieve in sports, but for one day Crestwood’s Harry Illner knew exactly how it felt.

Bowling perfection is very rare, requiring the bowler to roll strikes for 10 consecutive frames and 12 straight balls.

In the history of the Portage Trail Conference, the feat had only been accomplished twice and that was back in 2006-07 when both Joey Ault of Rootstown and Amanda Culp of Crestwood went straight to the top of the league’s record books, each rolling 300 games.

Until this week.

Illner, a junior at Crestwood, added his name to the record books when he rolled 12 perfect strikes at Bill White’s Akron Lanes, leading the Red Devils against the Springfield Spartans.

“I just took it one ball at a time,” said Illner, who realized he might actually get the 300-game going into the 10th frame.

“I wasn’t nervous at all,” said Illner.

Bowlers often talk about the strike that almost didn’t go down or the head pin that was a little too light, but Illner’s perfect game didn’t have one ball that was in doubt.

“I threw them in the pocket,” said Illner, who explained that each frame was a clean shot.

Even everyone in the lanes, his teammates and the members of the opposing team stopping to watch him roll the 300-game didn’t bother him.

That’s amazing for an athlete who is only a junior, but Illner has had plenty of practice as a member of his bowling family.

His sister, Emily, helps with the Crestwood Red Devil team this season and also is a two-time Portage Trail Conference Player of the Year.

His mom and dad, Cris and Marty, both bowl and can often be found supporting their son at his matches.

Illner started bowling 10 years ago in the Sky Lanes youth bowling leagues in Garrettsville and enjoyed success, competing at the state Pepsi Tournament three times after he advanced out of his home lanes.

Currently carrying an average of 211, Illner’s highest game in match play prior to his perfect 300 was a 256.

He followed his 300 game with a 216 game that claimed the record for high series in the Crestwood bowling books.

While Illner is most proud of his accomplishments on the bowling team as a varsity bowler since he was a freshman, it was the school's athletic director that pointed out Illner's contributions and hard work in school as well.

Although Steve Matheos, athletic director of Crestwood High School, offered that Illner has also worked in the Crestwood athletic office for three years now.

“He is our No. 1 office aid, a dependable and hard working student-athlete who takes his studies seriously and is dedicated to bowling,” said Matheos.

Relaxed as he was talking about his 300-game, Illner mentioned being with friends and hanging out with his teammates as his favorite part of being a member of the varsity bowling team coached by John Bialek.

Illner’s only surprise was that his 300-game came on lanes where he rarely bowls, Bill White’s Akron Bowl, instead of his home Sky Lanes.

Illner is planning on going to college and would like to be able to bowl while earning his degree.

“I would like to find a good bowling school,” he said.

For now, as only a junior, he will look forward to bowling for his school for another year and doing well in the upcoming PTC Tournament, which will be held at Bill White’s Akron Lanes, where Illner will feel right at home.

•••

Contact Susan Jenior at sjenior@recordpub.com