Special to The Citizen

WEEDSPORT - Eric Wheeler seems modest enough, but he's not beyond quietly answering a challenge, even for his own benefit.

The 23-year-old bowled an 801 series earlier this season, but it didn't pass USBC standards because it was rolled during a make-up match in his league.

“It didn't really bother me that the score didn't count, but it's still nice to prove that I'm capable of bowling well,” he said.

Saturday, he certainly showcased his abilities.

Throwing hard and straight near the second arrow, Wheeler fired 752 in his first The Citizen Masters ever to lead the way after two days of qualifying at Rainbow Lanes.

“It's great to have a day like this,” Wheeler said. “The pins just fell for me.”

Tournament Director Mike Ryan got the event off to a roaring start Friday night. He bowled 300 to cap off a 740 series, punching his ticket into the field of 64 that will be determined today.

“I didn't expect to throw a score like this,” said Ryan, who captured the 2004 Masters. “Now I can concentrate on running the tournament.”

Two more squads, comprised of 115 bowlers, will roll today at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Walk-ons will also be accepted. So far, 128 players have competed.

Jerry Locastro (712), Greg Spinelli (708) and Jim Locastro (662) were the other top scorers Friday night.

Lou Tabone, a talented bowler known for taking long breaks from the game, came out of his most recent hiatus to roll 705. His score was second to Wheeler on the 11 a.m. squad Saturday. Other big shooters were Tom Charles (691) and Tom Knapp (687).

At 2 p.m., Mike Prior had it rolling. Using a smooth delivery, he opened with 258 and 269 en route to a squad-leading 721. Fellow correction officer Scott White stood back and watched his longtime bowling partner make easy work of the condition.

“We've been bowling together for at least six years now,” White said. “We started out on the 3-to-11 shift (at Auburn Prison) and we had to find guys to work for us so we could get bowling nights off.”

A few frames later, White hoped for another strike. “C'mon big man,” he said softly as his friend stepped onto the approach. After the match, White joked that he was going to take a picture of the leader board, where Prior's name sat nicely in third place overall.

Brian Brooks posted a 701 series, helped by a 269 final game, to place second to Prior on the squad.

Still, the day belonged to Wheeler, who's in his first season of adult leagues. He spent the last six years away from the game to get his education. Now he's pursuing a career in law enforcement.

The right-hander shot 236 and 237 his first two games and was coasting toward qualification. But suddenly, the stakes got higher.

He and Knapp, who is a parole officer, opened the third game with eight straight strikes. Knapp had 418 after two games and needed all the wood he could knock down. The two shooters, positioned 1 and 2 in the lineup, fed off each other as they went for perfection.

“During the game Tom would tell me to keep it going, and said that he'd follow my strike with a strike of his own,” Wheeler said.

In the ninth frame, Wheeler left a weak 10-pin on a good hit. The lefty Knapp, who won the 2006 title, then blasted the pocket but a 7-pin stood. The strong push, however, left them both in great shape. Wheeler finished with a 279 game, making him top qualifier so far, while Knapp had 269 to complete his series.

The hard work done, Wheeler plans to enjoy the challenge of match play, which begins 1 p.m. Saturday at Starlite Lanes.

“It's going to be a lot of fun,” he said. “I'm not sure how I'm going to do because there are a lot of great bowlers. Let's just leave it at that.”

Then he smiled and walked away, clearly pleased with his position.