TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

Youth Bowler Joins Elite Company

Staff photo by BOB EAST III

Anthony Caso, 14, is the second-yougest bowler to roll a 300 game at Mariner Lanes.

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: January 10, 2009

Jason Mahr, owner of KMA Pro Shop out of Mariner Lanes, has watched young Anthony Caso bowl for several years now. One day the county's resident pro had a piece of advice for the 14-year-old.
"I told him I've seen you doing the same things for three years now and you're not fixing anything," Mahr said. "I told him to not be so precise. Get the ball to the break point. Worry about his accuracy; worry about his spares. Since then he's been bowling a little better."
So much better that Caso has put himself on a short list just behind Mahr. On Dec. 27 in the Mighty Mites youth league, Caso rolled a 300 game.
At 14 years, 5 months and 5 days old, the son of Spring Hill's Chuck and Danielle Caso became the second youngest person to ever shoot a perfect game at Mariner.
Mahr had one at 13 years, 9 days old on Aug. 21, 1994, a day short of exactly a month after Caso was born.
"It was definitely a rush when I finally did it," Caso said. "I've been close a couple times in a league. I knew if I told myself I'd do it eventually, I'd be more loose. I think it'll really sink in when I get the ring.
"…I feel honored to be in the presence of Jason Mahr. Everyone knows he's the best bowler in the county. It's great to be on the same level with him."
Steady rise
Caso has bowled in leagues for four years now, starting in 2005-06 when he averaged 111. He has steadily improved since then, from 144 to 187 to 206 this season.
"I've definitely been in the pro shop a lot with Jason Mahr," Caso said. "He's been a great help to me teaching me what I haven't learned. I always listen to what he says because I always know I can learn when I talk to him."
This past June, he also spent time at the Kegel Training Center in Lake Wales in an effort to hone his skills, and estimated he throws 25-30 games a week.
"Definitely as far as a junior bowler he has the best physical game I've seen for a 14-year-old," Mahr said. "He puts in his practice, he puts in his time."
Though his mother tried to get him into bowling at an early age, it was his grandmother, Mary Caso, who finally got him out on the lanes.
Caso, who is home schooled, views bowling as an opportunity to socialize with his peers.
"When I was younger it was a way to hang out with my friends," Caso said. "When I was younger I wasn't very good at bowling, but I always try to figure out why. Trying to be as good as I basically can kept me in it.
"I'm up at the bowling alley 4-5 times a week, always hanging out with my friends. I look at this as a place to hang out with my friends instead of school, where it might not be the best influences."
Recent history
Caso had come close to achieving a 300 two weeks earlier than when he actually pulled it off, hitting the front 10 strikes in a 288 game. That day he produced his high series of 770.
He also had a couple of 279 games in practice, so as he approached the end of his 300, he drew on his recent history.
"I definitely used that experience because I kind of got a little ahead of myself," Caso said. "Jason always told me if you're in a pressure situation and need to relax, tell yourself you're going to miss. That gets yourself out of the pressure situation, let the ball roll and whatever happen, happens."
Caso has aspirations of one day following the path taken by Mahr and becoming a professional bowler. He still has some time to get there, however, so he'll continue to work on short-term goals.
"The one that hasn't come yet is 800 (series)," Caso said. "But I'm just looking to keep my average going higher. Keep bowling for my team; make sure they're up there in the top one or two. Basically I'm just bowling to enjoy the sport."

BY THE NUMBERS: ANTHONY CASO
Season High Average
2005-06 111
2006-07 144
2007-08 187
2008-09 206

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at 352-544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT