For those of you who are wondering how I can equate a bowling tournament to the only novel written by Emily Bronte, you are not alone. I'm wondering myself. I think, however, I might just pull this off even though I have to admit I have never read the classic.
I do know "wuthering" is a Yorkshire word referring to turbulent weather, and I believe there isn't a better word to refer to the weather we have had in the last couple of weeks. In fact, the weather would have been the main story of this year's bowling competition had not some bowlers taken their games to new "heights."
And you thought I couldn't make the comparison, didn't you?
Despite dealing with ice, snow and flooding problems, the tournament finally wrapped up Friday. The end came a week later than expected, but despite the weather conditions, bowlers were in rare form for the 81st-edition of the Tiffin Men's Bowling Association City Tournament.
Looking for proof this year's action was top notch? Well, let me throw this stat at you:
There will be a total of 76 United States Bowling Congress individual awards handed out to bowlers. The total would have been higher, but some awards can only be earned once per season. Some participants had previously earned awards.
Let's start with the team competition. The title goes to the Brickner Boys, who ply their trade at the K of C Lanes. Brett Elchert shot 517, Justin Hoepf 618, Mark Orians 525, Kevin Orians 628 and Darl Elchert 669 for a total of 3,443 pins to win the crown by a scant seven pins. It took a huge last game for this to happen and Kevin Orians, bowling fourth, and Darl Elchert at anchor came though big time for the champs.
Orians threw the first nine in the pivotal last game before leaving a pocket 5-7 split. One pin meant 266, setting the stage for Elchert, who followed a first frame spare with eight consecutive strikes. A solid pocket hit in the 10th left an unmoving 7-pin staring him down. He needed to convert, which he easily did and got nine on his last ball for a 268 game and the title.
Bascom Elevator featuring Dave Coppus, Dave Hohman, Roger Coppus, Ryan Coppus and Dave Depinet shot 3,438 to finish a very close second. The rest of the top five teams included Phillips Electric 3,373, Sonoco II 3,351 and S.T.P. 3,326.
The singles champion is Chris King. He fashioned a huge 796 series with games of 278-256-258. His 807 total edged out Lance Davis' (724 actual) 802 for the crown. Kevin Young 762, Brett Babcock 757, and Ryan Chevalier 752 rounded out the top 5. The doubles title goes to Dick Houk (586) and Brett Babcock (727) with 1,460. Bill Biddle/Greg Kiser 1,410 placed second, Chris Rhodes/Tim Sturgill 1,399 third, Dave Coppus/Ryan Coppus 1,384 fourth and Lance Davis/Tony Sehlhorst wrapped up the top five with 1,377 pins.
The actual all events winner was Chris King with 2,120. Scott Plickert 2,037, Dave Jumper 2,005, Jim Ruess 1,986 and Steve Steinmetz Jr. 1,984 round out the top 5. In the handicap division Lance Davis shot 2,248 for first. Brett Babcock had 2,157 for second, Josh Aker 2,114 took third, Don Young 2,106 was fourth and Ryan Coppus 2,105 placed fifth.
The Tiffin Men's Bowling Association will hold it's meeting to pass out awards at 1 p.m. April 3, at the K of C Hall.
The 72nd-annual Tiffin Women's Bowling Association actually was completed on time despite Mother Nature's wrath. The ladies plan to pass out awards 7 p.m. March 23, at Heritage Lanes.
The team title goes to Steamers Sports Bar from the Alley Cats League. Deb Althaus (495), Judy Legron (388), Anne Laughlin (426), Bev Brown (387) and Jani Hartzell (543) make up the winning team. With handicap the champs shot 3,130. Capt. Morgan Crew - Chris Smith, Virginia Vanover, Kristal Fitch, Jami Thom and Deb Cleveland finished second with 3,003.
American Legion placed third, followed by Heritage Family Bowling, Sunday Night Smackers and King's Glass Engraving. The high actual team series was shot by Smut's with a 2,260.
Deb Cleveland shot a big 710 series to capture the singles crown. She was followed by Jamie Thom 647, Robyn Wight 640, Janet Houk 632, Vicki Noller 632, Bev Brown 631, Kathy Coleman 628 and Carla Siebenaller 626.
Deb Cleveland teamed up with Jami Thom as the duo shot a tournament high 1,020 actual series, while their 1,305 total won the doubles title. Nita Doran/Cindy Sendelbach (1,248) placed second, while Sandy Hufford/Sue Stine (1,241) were third, Polly Feasel/Judy Legron (1,203) fourth, Dottie Funk/Beth Jones (1,192) fifth and Carla Siebenaller/Pat Cook (1,175) finished sixth.
In all events actual Beth Jones leads the list with 1,576. Robin Dickman had 1,569, Carla Siebenaller 1,475, Carol Fry 1,431, Janet Houk 1,396, Nita Doran 1,389 and Diane Hoover 1,357. Deb Cleveland had 1,959 to take top honors in all events with handicap. Robyn Wight had 1,878, Sue Stine 1,847, Jamie Thom 1,831, Deb Althaus 1,809, Bev Brown 1,794 and Polly Feasel 1,790.
The high actual game of the tournament went to Robin Dickman with 212. Beth Jones shot the high actual series of the tournament a 579.
Alas, the 2011 City Tournament is now finally in the books. It is a long, but fun week (or more) at Heritage Lanes. Some fabulous scores were shot this year. It leaves me wuthering, I mean wondering, what next year will bring.
Al Stephenson is The A-T bowling columnist.
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