McCook 's Steve Lytle bowls 300 at TJ's Fun Center

Grant Strunk/McCook Daily Gazette Steve Lytle shows the form that enabled him to bowl a 300 game during Thursday Night Men's League play last week at T.J.'s Family Fun Center in McCook. Lytle, McCook, posted the 300 in his first game and bowled a 768 series. He was three pins shy of the league record for high series.

Ray Miller and Jerron Ruzicka bowled 300s at Willow Lanes.

Lytle bowled his 300 during the first game of his series. He followed the perfect game with a 225 in the second game and a 243 in the third game for a 768 total.

His total pinfall missed the lane record of 771 set by Howard Mace.

For bowling a 300 game, Lytle was presented with $300 by TJ's Family Fun Center, $100 by the Men's Bowling Association and $300 from the McCook Businessmen's Classic.

The 300 game will also be sanctioned by the United States Bowling Congress.

Lytle, whose average improved to 217, bowled a 299 and 296 last year. He said he had bowled a few 300s in practice games.

Lytle, who also competes in league play on Wednesdays, said he had a nervous feeling when he started his first game.

"In the fifth frame, I got a little nervous," Lytle said. "I hit every ball solid after that."

Lytle said a 300 game is just one of his goals.

"My goal is to shoot an 800 game (267 average)," Lytle said. "I've been bowling all my life."

Lytle grew up in McCook and was a football standout at McCook High School. He played in the 1978 Nebraska Shrine Bowl and one of his teammates was University of Nebraska All-American center Dave Rimington.

However, Lytle injured his knee during the Shrine Bowl, thus ending hopes of playing college football.

After one year at McCook Community College, Lytle worked for McCook Public Power District and then Nebraska Public Power District.

From 1986-92, he competed on the Bassmaster's Pro Fishing Tour. Since 1993, he has been a full-time fishing guide.

Lytle also works as a security guard at MCC and helps out TJ's Family Fun Center owner Terry Sides.

"I give Terry a lot of credit," Lytle said. "I want to thank the sponsors."

Sponsors from the McCook Businessmen's Classic are Acme Printing, AmFirst Bank, McCook Daily Gazette, Affordable Plumbing, Holiday Inn, TJ's Family Fun Center, Doyle Auto Repair, Bottle Shop, Kugler's, Schmick's Market, Wagner Ford and Chevrolet, Pizza Hut, Bill's Service, KC Motor and Electirc, High Plains Radio, Taste of Texas, Country Kitchen, Chief Motel, Sports Shoppe, Tri-State Spas, McDonald's, Wells Fargo Bank, CRT, Barnett's Do-It Center, Swanson Sign Company, Gateway Realty, MNB Insurance, Miller Lite, Lewis Sports and the Thompson Company.