By BILL SNIER
NORTH CANTON — Renae Burns has enjoyed her share of success on the lanes over the past few years, with a pair of 300 games and a high career series of 793.
But the 38-year-old Plain Township right-hander has made adjustment this season which contributed to a recent hot streak in the Custom Poly-First Commonwealth Ladies league at Park Centre Lanes.
“I’m just more consistent right now,” said Burns, a nurse in the Massillon City Schools. “I just seem to be focusing more and making adjustments to the lanes when I have to. It’s all about being focused.”
It has led to Burns having series of 706, 728 and 764 — all within a four-week period —including shooting 267 and 278 in the latter three-game set.
Part of that run came during a week when the women’s league was off on a Wednesday night and Burns substituted at the other end of the center in the Pizza Oven Classic league, made up mostly of men.
“Subbing with the men’s league that one week did seem to make me more focused,” said Burns, who averaged 233 for her three games. “I think bowling with the men I get a little bit intimidated, even though I shouldn’t be. I don’t know why. But my focus improved.”
That carried right over to the following week in the women’s league when she hit her 764.
Burns bought a new ball a year ago, an Ebonite One Remix, which she used during her streak. It was a change for the right-hander.
“I think it was the first ball I bought in about six or seven years,” said Burns, who plays direct up the outside line at Park Centre with speed. “I really don’t think I adjusted too much. I’ve had to make some moves here and there.”
This year also has brought change in another way as Burns watches her son, Braxton, bowl as a freshman on GlenOak High School’s team. Burns was a two-time first-team performer for GlenOak’s girls team during the first two years of the Stark County High School Bowling Conference in 2001-02 and 2002-03.
“Watching his first match brought back a lot of memories when I used to to it,” Burns said. “It’s something we share now and it’s just fun to watch him.”
Does she attempt to coach her son?
“I try to help him out, but being a teenager, of course, mom knows nothing,” she added. “I leave it to (GlenOak head coach) Jossett (Petrick) to help him out.
“But it’s hard sometimes to watch from the sidelines and not want to help him.”
But for now, Burns’ focus remains on one key milestone — an 800 series. She has been close.
“That one series when I had the 278, if I would have gotten the 300 it would have been even more frustrating shooting 300 and not reaching 800,” said Burns, who had 219 in the middle game of the set.
“I’ve just got to keep working and staying focused. I want that 800 — and I’m going to get it.”