The Real Kingpin: Munson rolls consecutive perfect games

MARENGO - In 15 years of bowling, Karmen Munson had never been perfect, but in one evening she changed all that and more.

Munson, of Williamsburg, survived expected nerves to roll her first perfect game. Then Munson accomplished something she thought was unfathomable.

Munson repeated the feat, rolling consecutive perfect games March 26 during the I Wonder league at Lucky 6 Lanes. She became the first woman to bowl a 300-game at the establishment and is believed to be the first woman in state history to roll back-to-back 300-games.

The moments that transformed regular Friday night league bowling into rare achievement remain fresh in her mind.

“I've been on Cloud 9 all week. It's just neat,” Munson said. “Everyday it still goes through my head.”

Munson, 47, an employee of the University of Iowa, tallied 26 straight strikes over the two games. She capped the evening with a 171 in the third and final game, which opened with a spare, for a 771 series. She carries a 185 average.

“I always had a hope and goal to bowl one 300 (game) in my career,” Munson said. ”I would have never thought of back-to-back 300 ever.”

The dream became a reality as Munson approached the 10th frame, sitting three strikes away from perfection. She remembered the advice of Lucky 6 Lanes proprietor, Dick McBride, who has worked with her in the past. McBride had told her that a bowler may tense up and change their delivery. She made the adjustment and hit the pocket for the final three strikes.

“That was something I told her a month ago,” McBride said. “She said that stuck in the back of her mind.”

She seemed calm and collected as she rolled her Roto-Grip Nomad for the final marks. Appearances, however, can be deceiving.

“They told me on the outside I looked pretty smooth, but inside I was a mess,” Munson said. “It was incredible.”

Munson experienced a roller coaster of emotion, beginning with relief after the conclusion of the previous game. With her first perfect game completed, Munson was relaxed. She said she didn't notice the string of strikes had continued until she rolled the ninth frame. The pressure returned and was amplified from the first time.

“My heart took off 10-times harder than the first game,” Munson said. “I said, ‘Here we go again.' I stood up there made the same adjustments and made three perfect pocket strikes and after that one I was glad my husband (Kollin) was there to catch me when I came off the approach.”

McBride said he followed each strike after the fifth frame of the first game. He was there to congratulate her after the first one and then received thanks from Munson, who was overcome with emotion.

It's believed to be the first time a female has accomplished consecutive perfect games in Iowa, but the state association couldn't confirm it, according to McBride. She still sits in elite company.

“It was pretty amazing,” said McBride, who said the alley is still deciding how to memorialize the event. “That's something you just don't see.”

The attention of almost the entire alley was focused on Munson, watching as she kept tallying strikes. Munson said other bowlers offered “high-fives” after the first 300-game.

“It pretty much came to a stop around here,” said McBride, noting that Munson is a well-liked among the bowlers. “Everybody was cheering for her.”

She was right back into action last weekend in Fort Dodge, returning to her Tuesday night league. The I Wonder league did not compete Friday.

“I bowl to have fun,” Munson said. “You have your bad nights and your good nights and that was a great night.”