The Front Row with JASON ELLIOTT May 11, 2011

It was like a day she couldn't believe.

That morning, Lakeland eighth-grader Savahnnah Stocker couldn't miss.

The end result was a Kootenai County youth bowling record for highest game (270) and highest series (667) April 16 at River City Lanes in Post Falls.

STOCKER, WHO began bowling at the age of 7, wasn't aware of the feat until it was brought to her attention a week later by Joey Borgaro, who works and bowls at River City.

"I couldn't believe it at first," said Stocker, 14. "I didn't know what to think of it all at first."

Stocker, whose previous high score was a 237, made a run of nine consecutive strikes, needing just three more for a perfect 300 game.

She wound up with 10, two short of a perfect game.

"I was pretty much going through the motions that day," Stocker said. "I've been around a lot of really good bowlers that have really helped me a lot and have became successful because of that."

Stocker credits Ron Jacobson, Mike Durk and her father, Lonnie, with helping her along with way.

"It's a little bit of watching them and listening to pointers," Stocker said. "A lot of it is what I've picked up on my own."

Her time spent in the bowling alley watching her parents is what helped her fall in love with the sport.

"I got interested in the sport because my parents have bowled in leagues for years," Stocker said. "I practically grew up at the bowling alley."

Stocker made a habit of traveling with her parents on their Thursday league nights and competes in a youth league on Saturday mornings.

"It's fun and an easy sport to play," Stocker said. "Anyone can play it, plus getting high scores is a nice thing to do. I pretty much enjoy everything about bowling. It's a competitive sport - but it's an easy sport to play."

CHERYL STOCKER, who has participated in leagues since 1997, missed the record-breaking morning after staying home sick.

"A lot of the older bowlers have seen her bowl and they've said she's a natural," Cheryl said. "I get to thinking, wow, she's kicking my butt."

When she's not at the bowling alley, Stocker enjoys playing basketball and is currently in the honors program at Lakeland Junior High.

Cherie Borgaro, who manages the River City Lanes, said that seeing the Stocker family occupying one of the lanes isn't out of the ordinary.

"They bowl almost every Saturday as a family," Borgaro said. "She's almost a fixture at the bowling center. She's a really good kid to have around."

This summer, Cheryl is hoping she'll gain interest in a couple other sports.

"She's got a motorbike and has been getting into racing out at Stateline Speedway," Cheryl said. "Whether she gets into it depends on her. We're trying to figure out where to let it go right now."

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d'Alene Press. He can be reached via telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or by e-mail at [email protected].