Local high school bowling teams advance to state

Another less than desirable week of scoring on the local league front, for reasons unknown, but it will not be long though until bowlers head into the home stretch with high scores as leagues enter the final quarter of the season.

It happens every year; we just have to be patient.

In the meantime, three cheers (and hopefully more) for the Eisenhower Boys and the Elgin Girls High School bowling teams who won their respective division of the regional competition that was held at Sooner Bowl in Norman last Saturday afternoon.

Representing the Eisenhower High School boys team, Cory Bullis, Dillon Claxton, Michael Riley, Peyton Smith, Billy Smith, Austin Kaplan, and Marques Smith, coached by Bill Kaplan.

The Elgin Girls team, coached by Wendy Sterkel, consists of Lizzie Caswell, Emma Young, Abby Foster and Keylee Ellis.

Here’s wishing them all the best as they head to Oakwood Bowl in Enid next weekend, on their way to another trophy…or two.

The High School Bowling Program is held at Twin Oaks Bowling Center, Fort Sill, starting around November and continuing through mid-February of every year. If you are interested in becoming a part of this activity, contact your school or local bowling center for details. This is a free sporting event of-fered to introduce bowling to high school students. The only requirement is that you must be an active student with a required verifiable grade point average.

League Highlights

James Biscaino led area bowlers with a 740 series from the Suburban league at Twin Oaks, scoring 238, 247 and 255 to make up the set.

Coming in with a close second was Megan McAnally with games of 262, 213 and 245 for a 720 to top the ladies honor roll.

The only other 700 came from the Goodyear league where Chad Perry also tallied out at 720 scoring 259, 213 and 248.

High game honors go to Craig Fain for a front 10 game of 286 in the Goodyear setting and to Tony Mendoza who gained 100 pins from game one to game three, finishing his night in the Guys and Dolls at 280.

And the Early Birds league reported Alex Bailey Sr. with his first career 600 series of 634 on games of 242, 205 and 187, bowled off a 166 average.

And in the same league, congrats to Chris Boltinghouse for posting a 212 game off a 117 average.

Youth Highlights

T-Bird Legend’s Peyton Smith rolled the youth high series of 606 on games of 202, 180 and 224 and Kalan Hicks put up the high game of 238.

DJ Scott was the T-Bird HotShots bowler of the week with a 413 set that started with a 173 score and Emma Gagne-Carter led bumper bowlers with a 120 score in the MiniShots.

No-Tap News

John Fortner missed the previous week’s Senior No Tap Colorama at Thunderbird Lanes but he was back last Friday afternoon and ready to reclaim his title scoring an 813 for the win.

Herbert Scott was a close second with 802 and Robert Lansberry took home third with 784.

Cathy Shuman started with back to back 234 games to assist in a first place finish in the ladies division with 795, followed by Kathy Zerbe with a 770.

Scratch Singles winners were Fortner, 735, Scott, 688 and David Yett, 683.

Mystery Doubles first place winners were Kathy Zerbe with John Fortner, 577, Leilani Wiggins with James Halstead, 558 and Robert Lansberry with Diane Frame, 510.

Malden Smith, Dave Yett, Peggy Towne, Herbert Scott, Kathy Zerbe and Robert Lansberry were all strike pot ticket winners and Rob Scoggins cashed in on the Pill Draw for a nice little prize for getting an eight count.

And though he did not pick it up, kudos to Michael Sneed for almost converting the “back row (7-8-9-10)” that was added in place of the “Waldo”.

Sneed managed to roll his ball straight down the middle of the lane to take out the 8 and 9 pins. The 9 pin took out the 10 pin but the 8 pin went straight back, leaving only the 7-pin.

A gallant effort to say the least.

Senior bowlers age 50 and over are invited to join the fun every Friday afternoon at Thunderbird Lanes starting at 1p.m.

In Memory

It is with much sorrow that we share with you the passing of two of the Lawton-Fort Sill bowling community’s former avid and respected bowlers Malcom Ray and David Ridley.

Both of these gentlemen were a huge part of bowling in this area back several years ago, assisting in whatever way they were needed to help make the sport what it has become.

Whether they were at the books, at the score table or on the lanes, they gave their all when it came time to rolling that bowling ball.

Though these bowlers will be missed, their legacy continues as they leave behind children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren to carry on the family tradition and the love for the game.