
DATE: Sunday, September 28, 1997            TAG: 9709260414

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 20   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY GABI CHAPMAN, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   45 lines

AFTER JUST YEAR AND HALF OF PLAY, SHE'S PERFECT

In the past 20 years, only seven women in South Hampton Roads had bowled 300 games. Last week, Adedayo Peterson bowled 12 perfect frames at Pinboy's Military to become number eight.

``When I got to that 12th ball, it was the only strike that kind of veered off course,'' said Peterson. ``It hit the pins and everything fell except the 9 and 10, and then they started leaning and fell. My legs were trembling when I walked up to that foul line.''

Even more phenomenal is the fact that Peterson has only been bowling for a year-and-a-half.

Given her lack of experience, some might say the Peterson's 300 was a fluke. But more likely, it was a result of Peterson's compulsive desire to beat somebody . . . bad.

``There was this one woman. One night I asked her if she had bowled yet. She just went off on me. Every time she walked into that alley, she shook my confidence,'' Peterson said. ``I just wanted to beat her so bad.''

Flukes and vendettas aside, Peterson has come far.

``It's nice, it's wonderful,'' she said. ``I think I'm just getting better. My average is increasing. I just like bowling. I really get into it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Graphic

ADEDAYO PETERSON

Age: 42

Residence: Norfolk

Occupation: Disabled veteran

Bowling center: Pinboy's of Military

Current average: 183 (190 after 300)

Best score ever: 300

Best series ever: 635

Ball: 14-pound Zone

Bowling highlight: The Seagulls Tournament. As a team we took

third place, for doubles we took first place and for all the