It’s believed that the frequency of bowling a perfect 300 game is just 1 in 11,500 for the average player – so when Destrehan High School’s Ethan Fontenot achieved just that for the Wildcats in an early March match against Holy Cross, it was quite a milestone.
And then, just two weeks later, teammate Porter Kauffman matched that feat.
Most bowlers will never achieve the 300 game in their lifetime. Yet, just four years into the Wildcats young and growing bowling program, Destrehan can boast two who have. It’s helped fuel the first-ever bowling playoff berth for DHS, which will face Rummel on Monday in Baton Rouge in an opening round matchup.
Amazingly, both Fontenot and Kauffman each bowled their respective perfect games in victories over Holy Cross – it seems the Tigers bring out the best in these Wildcats.
Fontenot’s perfect game was the first in the greater New Orleans area this season.
“I know I feel fortunate – two 300 bowlers, a lot of coaches never get this,” said Destrehan bowling coach Jasper Vinnett. “These guys deserve all the credit in the world. They put in a ton of work. Bowlers go their whole lives without doing it once. For these two gentlemen to do it at such a young age … they’re the envy of the bowling community.”
There’s only one way to reach a perfect game in bowling – 12 consecutive strikes.
Kauffman, a freshman, has been bowling most of his life. Fontenot, a junior, took up the sport two years ago.
While both acknowledged the chance to bowl a 300 began creeping into their mind the closer they got to the 10th frame, they each said any pressure they felt came more from the team’s overall goal – a playoff push.
“The whole game was pressure really, to win the game to get to the playoffs,” Fontenot said. “A lot of people are watching – you just have to stay consistent and hit your mark. I wasn’t that nervous, really. I was just locked in on staying consistent.”
Said Kauffman, “It was just about making the playoffs, and that kind of took our minds off the idea we were on a 300 pace. But at the end of the day, you get to the 10th frame and you see all strikes from 1 to 9. It’s going to come down to how consistent you throw the ball on target, and you need some luck after that.”
Fontenot said he never thought he’d be able to pull it off – despite his usual gameday talk.
“You say it every time,” Vinnett said to Fontenot, “’I’m gonna roll a perfect game today.’”
Said Fontenot, “I do always say it. But I was honestly shocked that I did it. I wasn’t expecting to do it. I don’t think I’ll ever do it again, but I was very pumped in that moment. Just knowing that yeah, I did it.”
One thing he didn’t say, however, was anything about it at all while it was going on. Nor did Kauffman during his. Nor did their teammates.
“The No. 1 rule in bowling, you don’t say anything about it. Not at all,” said Kauffman.
Fontenot’s came partially as a result of some course correction. Fontenot said his game was a bit out of sorts to start the season.
“My form was really bad,” said Fontenot. “(Kauffman) helped me work on my release. My coach each Sunday helps me with my form. Everything started moving in the right direction and I started bowling the way I should.”
An interesting sidebar to Kauffman’s journey – this was actually the second perfect game he’d recorded.
The first? It came in his Destrehan bowling tryout.
He made the team.
“Really wasn’t a question,” Vinnett said with a smile.
The perfect 300 was something he’d wanted for a very long time.
“It meant a lot to my family … everyone in my family bowls,” Kauffman said. “It’s the one and only sport that I’ve ever really tried my hardest at. My dad was proud. He’d never bowled a 300, and I know it made him happy to see me do it.
“It’s probably been my biggest goal for years. Just to do it at a younger age, it means a lot.”
Kauffman estimates he’s bowled over 3,000 games in his life.
“Working my way up. I remember when I counted all of my 200 (score) games. Now I’m counting my 300 games,” Kauffman said. “It’s a one-of-a-kind accomplishment.”
