When a high school bowler rolls a perfect game in any competition, it is a major accomplishment. But to bowl a 300 game at a state meet is something special.

That is what Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn bowler Jack Mastbergen did during the Class 1A state individual tournament on Feb. 21 at Waterloo. The junior put Xs on the scoreboard during the first nine frames of his third game in pre-bracket play, and then put up three more in the 10th to reach perfection.

"Jack started off from where he left off from the second game – with strikes. He had found his rhythm and kept the strikes coming, and the confidence grew with each frame," Hawk coach Julia Meyer said. "Jack has always had the ability and skill to throw a perfect game and he knew it also. This time he was not denied. Each shot was perfectly thrown and never wavered."

The junior opened pre-bracket play with a 179 and then bowled a 248, setting up his perfect game.

Mastbergen's 727 series was third-best in pre-bracket play, trailing only Rylan Edwards, of Central DeWitt (740), and Malcomb Clark, of Monticello (731).

As one of the Top 8 to advance to bracket play, he was paired against No. 6 Noah White, of Charles City. White was the fourth individual to advance to state from the qualifying meet at Sanborn. Things did not go Mastbergen's way in the quarterfinal match and he would lose, 213-162, to finish fifth overall.

Two other H-M-S bowlers competed at the state meet and also rolled impressive scores in pre-bracket play. Eli Mastbergen finished 16th out of 32 competitors with a 644 series. He rolled games of 239, 191 and 214. Caleb Aaron placed 23rd, missing a 600 series by two pins. His game scores were 169, 264 and 165.

"We are so proud of all three boys that participated. Each of them bowled their best that day," Meyer said. "It is so refreshing and amazing to see the talent in the state of Iowa in bowling with these young superstars. They make us proud."

SUBMITTED PHOTO

H-M-S's Jack Mastbergen, pictured third from left, placed fifth at the Class 1A state bowling tournament last week.

The 2023-24 season concludes the high school careers of senior girls Keyanna Brower, Lexi Croatt, Heather Elgersma and Annika Overmire, and senior boys Brenden Larson, Aiden Nitzel, Brennan Stoltz, Brett Stoltz and Ian Werkmeister.

"We have a huge number of talented bowlers and the future looks good," Meyer noted. "It has been a fun year with 28 bowlers that have been fun to coach and get to know them."