First Posted: 2/28/2015
This is not the column that was planned for this week, on the frustration that many may feel for the USBC and the OHSAA will have to wait for a week. There is a need to be positive for another week or two and salute different individuals who have been victorious in recent events.
The most recent champions will be the high school student-athletes that separate stories have been written about over the last two days. By the time this is printed, the OHSAA will have crowned champions in Division I boys and girls sectional play as well as Division II district champions in the same divisions.
We now have teams and individuals advancing to Division II state and Division I district actions next weekend.
Chandler Stevens, who I have had the pleasure of watching off and on this past season roll for the UNOH Racers, took The 800 Echelon Tournament at Southgate in Bluffton.
Stevens defeated Erin Deal in the final match 196-194 over a Kegel pattern known as the Turnpike.
We have to give Derek Dukes and his crew some credit for this one, as he was creative enough to install some of the same potholes that we see on the Ohio turnpike into the pattern. The conditions were so competitive that the 28 bowlers who competed, after averaging 267 per game at least once in sanctioned play, had a combined average of just under 180 for the qualifying rounds. In fact, by the end of the event, only one bowler, Todd Book, had an average north of 200 for the event.
That said, the tournament was really exciting, enjoyed by those in attendance. Let’s face it, when you have an event where you have Stevens, Deal, Book, Dukes, Anthony Kennard, Brian Sharp, Brent Jones and Shane Bugner, you have good reason to enjoy the matches.
Book and Deal got out of one side of the eliminator-style bracket and into the semifinals. The two friends Bugner and Stevens survived in the second bracket, where No. 2 seed Dukes was eliminated along with Brent Jones, who had rolled well the night before in the Proprietors Cup qualifier in Wapak.
The semifinal matches kept fans on the edge of their seats, with each match going to the final frame. Deal would convert a 10-pin to defeat top seen Book, 199-197, and Stevens would hold on when Bugner did not double in the 10th, 180-174.
Stevens got out to a big lead and then held on as the gremlins started popping out of the turnpike potholes down the stretch of his match with Deal. Stevens finished with his 196, and Deal had a double and eight-pin count for his 194. One of the Racer stars had his title.
Astro Lanes was one great place to be on Saturday evening. It started with JJ Miller Bowling Promotions qualifier, and the house then stayed packed the rest of the evening.
Ryan Beasley, of Xenia, who had finished second in the previous qualifier, came north one more time, and this time went back home with his gold ticket for the Proprietors Cup tournament later this season.
Anthony Kennard, Jimmy Ebling, Brent Jones, Luke Manger and Justin Starn were in the mix as well. By the way, happy birthday, Marty Manger.
As mentioned, Astro Lanes was packed for the day. Scotch Doubles was one of the features that followed, and it was really great to see the Crites and Crows out having a great time.
On the other side of the house, even more dollars were being raised for individuals with developmental disabilities. A salute is due to Dave and Laurie Jeanneret for their continued support of those with special needs.
In one day I had seen competition, on the high school and adult level, the fun of those who love scotch doubles and the impact that this game has on those with all kinds of abilities. The smiles of most on that evening clearly illustrated that when some come to the lanes the thought of a disability simply disappears.
It was a great day with lots of winners.
Speaking of a lot of winners, that certainly identifies the most recent tournament of the Lima USBC Association.
This was a unique tournament, somewhat cast upon the local association on short notice. Jr. Johnson rolled out the compliments to the houses of the association as well as to Sue Clay and Sue Wilson, who did all they could do to get the word out to the lady league bowlers of the association.
With absolutely no way to fit this event into a league tournament schedule, the association determined that it would be best to roll an in-league ladies singles event.
Really not sure how many individuals bowled in the tournament, but there were 32 who finished “in the money” in the handicap event.
Kristi Geiser of Southgate finished atop the field with a 747 score. Onalee Shepler of Southgate stroked a 741 to take second. Debbie Wireman (739) of Westgate, Nancy Lucas (731) of Norada and Ruth Everitt of Southgate (724) rounded out the top five.
I can think of no better way to end this column than giving the names of the remaining bowlers who cashed in this event.
Here we go: Donna Childs, Camy Carroll, Sharon Lawley,Kelsey Miller, Tiffany Phillips, Josie Lomen, Barb Walton, Brenda Riepenhoff, Christine Daughtry, Cathy Grumblis, Stephanie Moyer, Elaine McBeth, Angela Sanchez, Gina Bloomfield, Kym Taflinger, Brittini Markward, Tammy Erwin, Kathy Comer, Bethany Pellman, Michelle Duran, Tina Whitaker, Liz Behnke, Marilyn Walch, Vicki Kirkendall, Cathy Bugner and Alyssa Maag.
Hope everybody had fun – now all of you and many others, find partner and bowl the Lima USBC Doubles tournament this coming Saturday at Westgate Lanes. You can call Westgate if you cannot find an entry to see if there is still room for entries.
