Elson becomes 1st female bowler with 800 series at T-P Lanes
Bowling an 800 series is one of the crowning achievements in the sport of bowling. It is such a rare feat that in the long history of T-P Lanes, no female bowler had ever reached the 800 club.
However, that changed recently as Taylor Elson fired an 800 series to make house history at the local bowling alley.
Competing in the Zack Keller Memorial Scratch League, Elson began with a 245, then nearly recorded the fourth 300 game of her career with a 298 and finished with a 257 to land right on 800.
“I didn’t realize I was close to an 800,” said Elson. “I never looked at the scoreboard. I was just trying to go about my business.”
She realized shortly after her final ball that she had her first 800 series.
“Everybody around me congratulated me and I called my dad right away,” she said. “He was my high school coach and came to all of my matches in college.
I knew that he would be excited.”
Gina Rucker had the previous house series record for female bowlers at T-P Lanes.
“It is truly an honor to have this record,” said Elson. “Bowling is really big in Bellefontaine and there have been and are a lot of great bowlers here.”
The former Taylor Bodey, she was a standout bowler at Urbana High School where she also made some history.
She won an individual state title for the Hillclimbers in 2014 and also became the first bowler to roll a 300 at the Ohio prep state tournament.
She is a teacher at the Bellefontaine City Schools and joined T-P Lanes leagues a few years ago.
“I really enjoy bowling here,” she said. “Everyone was very welcoming and I have made a lot of good friends.”
While getting an 800 series was something she had her eye on, Elson did not think it was very realistic.
“You think about an 800 and it almost seems unattainable,” she said. “Now, I know it can actually happen.”
So, what’s next on her list of goals?
“I want to keep doing better, so am shooting for an 801 now,” she said with a smile.