FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:
Al Smith/ Gene Kirkham
ABC Championships ABC Championships Media Relations
(505)243-2695 ext. 38, (505)243-2695 ext. 74

April 24,

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- -Rick Hartings of Coldwater, Ohio made his first Easter of the new millennium a memorable one by rolling the 16th 300 game of this year's ABC/Sandia Casino Championships.

"I ran straight to the phone to call my wife," said Hartings. "I was so excited about the 300 that I forgot to wish her Happy Easter."

Hartings 300 came in his second game of Regular Singles. A 14-year veteran of the tournament, it was the 33-year-old's 11th career perfect game.

"I was so nervous going into the last frame," admitted the right-hander, "and I didn't want to mess up a chance that might never be again. Some of the guys I came with, that were a few lanes down, told me that they had to stop bowling because they were nervous for me.

I have never thrown a 300 at an ABC Tournament before," said Hartings. "I knew that doing this here would be something that would be talked about and recognized for tournaments to come."

An avid participant and supporter of the sport, Hartings added games of 182 and 212 for a 694 series.

"My parents purchased a bowling center (PLA-MOR Lanes, Coldwater) when I was three and I've been bowling most my life," explained Hartings. "My father and I are spear-heading a movement in our area to get bowling back into the high schools and recognized as a competitive sport."