14-year-old PV boy brings down the house with a (budding) career-best

By Dave Goodman | For lehighvalleylive.com

Dylan Vlasak is in his element when he's on stage.

The 14-year-old eighth-grader at Pleasant Valley Middle School in Monroe County has played the lead role in several shows along with being a musician, playing the drums and piano.

He's even taking singing lessons in hopes of making it to the bright lights of Broadway, or maybe Hollywood.

Vlasak also dabbles in the sport of bowling, where he's averaging 162 at Blue Valley. Last week he was front and center with the spotlight shining brightly on him. He responded by opening with back-to-back 279s and collected his first career 700 without ever shooting a 600.

''I was in a zone and was really focused,'' said the Saylorsburg resident of his 279-279-162, 720 effort. ''Everything felt good.''

But for someone who doesn't freeze in front of an audience, Vlasak was admittedly nervous as his string of strikes in the first game reached six.

''Yeah, halfway through the game I was nervous, and in the eighth frame I pulled it and left a 10-pin. I just kept striking after that and had the first two strikes in the second game.''

Another 10-pin from the lefty was a mere respite before running the table for a second 279 and a 558 total, which is better than his top series of the entire season.

''Well, I have to admit I was thinking if I could only get another 279," he said. "It was tense because everybody was watching and about halfway through the game I was on pace to get my average and I knew that would get me 700.''

The 279s toppled his old high of 238 and he has his sights set on increasing his average. While there's a lull in his acting exploits, Vlasak can concentrate a bit more on his game before attending The Theatre Program at DeSales University.

After talking to Vlasak, you get the sense it's no act. He has the chops to make it.

Zakszeski tops with 813

A lot of missing scores this week meant the opportunity for others to land their series in the weekly Top 10 list.

Kevin Zakszeski tapped Town & Country for his second-career 800. His 813 performance in the Wednesday Fellowship league fell one pin shy of his career-best 814 from April.

It's the end of January, and incredibly, we're talking about the first 800 of the season from Anthony Johnston. But his 258-259-289 netted the lefty an 806 at Oakwood.

Ron Wynkoop out of Town & Country and Doug Stauffer from Oakwood tallied the area's lone 300s, bringing the season total to 110.

Vlasak was joined by Francis Vitelli, who picked up a 700 with a 706 at Oakwood.

Chloe O'Donnell nipped Jenna Henderson for the girl's weekly honors. O'Donnell used a 251 single en route to a 624 at Town & Country, while Henderson just chugs along, this week recording a 620 effort at Oakwood.

Dave Goodman is a freelance writer who covers bowling.

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