Merle Behr wouldn’t admit he was nervous.

Tuesday, March 13, 2001

Merle Behr wouldn’t admit he was nervous. After all, he’d been in the same situation before. And succeeded. But he definitely didn’t want to blow it this time. And he didn’t.

The veteran bowler confidently stepped to the line and rolled his 12th consecutive strike, completing the second 300 game of his career. It happened during the Holiday Classic League at Albert Lea’s Holiday Lanes.

&uot;I can’t say I was nervous,&uot; said Behr, who’s been bowling for more than three decades. &uot;But when you get a chance at 300, you do want to make a good shot on the 12th ball to give it a good chance to strike.&uot;

There’s also the peer factor. It happens any time a bowler has a chance to reach 300. The other lanes become silent and everyone in the building focuses the final shot.

&uot;You want all your competitors to know you can make that shot,&uot; said Behr.

The perfect game was undoubtedly the highlight of Behr’s series as he finished with a 684.

Behr’s other 300 game, rolled at Kiester Bowling Center, was part of his career-best 823 series which also included a 297 game. Behr has also had two 299 games and a 298.

Behr bowls in four leagues and carries an average of 220. He’s a member of the Albert Lea Bowling Association Hall of Fame.