100 pound Linda Green, a Free State senior eye's the lane as she competed against LHS Thursday afternoon at the Royal Crest Lanes.

When Free State High bowler Kenny Altman opened Thursday’s match against Lawrence High with a mammoth 250 game, he looked to be on his way to a record day.

His first game, which beat teammate Joel Hall’s 220 for highest score of the day, featured no open frames and seven consecutive strikes to finish. When he rolled another strike to start his second game, he even got a little ahead of himself.

“The most consecutive strikes I’ve ever thrown was 13 between two games, and I wanted to get there,” Altman said.

Altman only managed a spare in his next frame, though, and his hot streak began to fade.

However, it still was enough to lead the Firebirds to a commanding 2,308-2,124 victory over the Lions at Royal Crest Lanes. With the victory, Free State improved to 14-2 this season.

“It’s terrific,” Free State coach Anita Carlson said. “As far as winning our matches, they’ve done a really good job. I think they’ve shown that they deserve a state berth, and I’m confident that they’ll get one.”

With Altman’s trusty line breaking down, it was difficult for him to string strikes in either of his final two games.

He bowled a 186 in his second game, followed by a 193 in his third. He ended with a 629 series, the highest total of the day.

Shawn Jimboy, rolls for LHS Thursday agsints Free State at Royal Crest Lanes.

“It’s just one of those things when you get to a point you know it’s going to end before too long,” Altman said. “The oil started to carry down a little bit, and I couldn’t quite make the right move to get back on my spot.”

“He started off so strong with that 250 game and then he just kinda lost it there for a little bit,” Carlson said. “That happens. He struggled there for a while, but for him to pull himself out of that and finish off with a 193 is a sign of a great bowler.”

Free State’s Hall rolled a 601 series with scores of 215, 166 and 220. Lawrence High’s Mark Mercer took third with a 570 series.

On the girls side, LHS sophomore Tiffany Demaline rolled a 572 series to lead to Lions to a 2,063-1,885 victory.