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Your contribution fuels the stories that shape Decorah—make a difference today. DECORAH — Rolling a perfect 300 in bowling might be the equivalent of dunking on Dikembe Mutombo, scoring a goal on Hope Solo, serving an ace on Serena Williams, or keeping Walter Payton out of the end zone. In other words, it's a difficult—if not near-impossible—task. Which is what makes Quinton Bohlen's three 300s last league season so remarkable. And yes, you read that right. His name is Quinton Bohlen, but he isn't "quitting bowling" anytime soon. In fact, as his body begins to slow down—he's only in his mid-40s and starting to feel the aches and pains of age—he's enjoying the sport now more than ever. "My love of the sport has grown as I've been able to coach and teach the young people. The up-and-comers." He's talking about high school students, college players, league bowlers—or anyone who asks. "I'm always ready to help someone get better. It's what I love most about the sport right now—watching players improve." While Quinton isn't an official coach for any one team, he does serve as manager of King Pin Entertainment Center, where he volunteers his time helping students and others with their technique, release, approach or anything that might improve their game. And he knows his stuff. He's got the hardware to prove it. After high school, Quinton attended Vincennes University in Vincennes, Indiana, which offers one of the only Associate of Science degrees in Bowling Industry Management and Technology in the country. While there, he was part of the back-to-back NJCAA national championship team. His teams were dominant, like the Kansas City Chiefs or New England Patriots. It's tough to go back-to-back in any sport, but the Vincennes bowling teams had the talent and work ethic to make it happen. In fact, up to that point, Quinton had been bowling since the age of five, when his grandmother, a bowler herself, signed him up and took him to tournaments. Some kids may burnout from a sport or, in some cases, resent their parents for carting them around to sports competitions at an early age, but not Quinton. Maybe this was because it was his grandmother, and not his parents, but maybe it was because he was naturally gifted, scoring his first 600 series (out of three games) by the age of eleven. A remarkable feat, by any measure. His grandmother, according to Quinton, "dated Dick Weber, so that probably had something to do with it," he said, smiling. However, Dick Weber—the first pro bowler to win 30 tour titles, a number that only six other PBA bowlers have reached—was only part of the reason bowling ran in the family. "[My grandmother] was definitely into bowling," Quinton says, "and that's how I got my start." After graduating from college in 2004, Quinton continued to have enviable success. In addition to competing professionally—at one point ranked among the top 64 bowlers in the country—he also racked up several perfect games in various leagues each season. In the 2007-2008 season, he totaled a whooping eight perfect games. He also won the 2012 Iowa State USBC Bowling Tournament—an honor he shared with Woody Harrelson's character Roy Munson in the 1996 movie "Kingpin," in which Harrelson brags about his ring from winning the "Iowa State Tournament" in 1979. Nowadays, while Quinton still continues to roll in a couple of leagues, he's mostly excited about coaching and providing opportunities for young bowlers. In April, Quinton helped to facilitate and host, in Decorah, the second biggest youth tournament in the country, which, he hopes, will be an annual tournament. Looking ahead, he's hoping to bring a professional tournament to town as part of the PBA circuit. This, he thinks, will continue to encourage and inspire young bowlers. "That's what it's all about," he said. "Giving back to the bowling community. Helping the kids. I'm at the age where I like to bowl now, but I get more excited helping others and watching them improve. There's nothing quite like that first 300 game, and watching someone build toward that goal is pretty special." A 300 game is special. But eight in one season? There's got to be a name for that—some special moniker? While you're thinking about a catchy name for that achievement, Quinton will be at the bowling alley making improvements to the lanes for next year's leagues, which still have plenty of room for new teams, if you're interested. One thing's for sure: if you need advice on which arrow to aim for, or where to position your feet, there's a guy there who won't be quitting bowling anytime soon—he's the one to ask. Feed your curiosity! Subscribe to the free newsletter and indulge in all that's local. Your friends will be impressed.

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"That First 300:" A Discussion with Quinton Bohlen, The Kingpin of Decorah Bowling