The bowling was done. We were recording the final scores when the little girl came up to our headquarters. She said simply, "Hey, guy." When the association officer did not respond, she repeated the phrase. It took three tries before he realized she was talking to him.
He looked at her and she said, "Can you get my gooey eye down?" She pointed to the ceiling where something strange was holding firm. Fortunately, our "guy" was tall, and he easily, if not enthusiastically, reached up and plucked the squishy little thing then handed it over.
She thanked him and went scampering away with a friend. We all laughed, as it was the perfect ending to a very unusual city tournament. The week was full of strange happenings, though it would be hard to top retrieving a gooey eye from the ceiling. I mean, one guy threw two gutter balls before he realized he wasn't using his own ball. Another bowler threw a perfect strike, 10 pins in the pit. He was pretty happy until he realized it was not his turn to bowl. He had to erase the score and you just knew he would leave a split when he repeated the frame.
Such was the way it went in the 2012 Tiffin Men's and Women's City Bowling Tournament. Along the way some good bowling took place. All right, there were a few stinkers tossed in as well. That happens every year. All in all it was a fun week and it appeared by all the smiles and laughter that people had a good time.
I am about to give you the unofficial results for both tournaments. The final standings will not be certified until all the scores are rechecked. Awards will be handed out at the respective association meetings.
This year marked the 73rd Tiffin Women's Bowling Association city tournament. The final evening featured the last of the singles and doubles competition. Two 500 series were rolled, with Deb Cleveland hitting the mark on the nose and Robyn Wight shooting 525. Wight had the only 200 game of the evening as she fired a 210.
Wight's big night took her to the top of the singles chart. Her winning total was 693. Following Wight was Heather Butler 650, Miriam Fankhauser 646, Kristal Fitch 639, Cindy Sendelbach 635, Sandy Hufford 633, Anne Laughlin 632, Vicki Noller 629, Deb Cleveland 623, Janet Houk 621, Carol Fry 614 and Christine Smith 614.
The doubles title went to Heather Butler and Janet Houk as they shot a 1,244 total. The winners were followed by Jamie Thom/Deb Cleveland 1,229, Miriam Fankhauser/Dianne Smith 1,212, Cindy Sendelbach/Carla Siebenaller 1,195, Nita Doran/Pat Cook 1,195, Judy Legron/Bev Brown 1,180, Kathy Coleman/Robyn Wight 1,180 and Carol Fry/Robin Dickman 1,177.
The team champion was Stiney's Three Oaks with 3,212. Team members are Donna Schriner, Kim Weaver, Vicki Noller, Terri Renninger and Heather Butler. Runner-up honors went to Pine Ridge Lawn Care with 3,146. Smut's Pro Shop 3,105, Steamer's Sports Bar 3,043 and That Fun Team (2,952) rounded out the top five.
Robin Dickman had the high game (246) of the tournament as well as the high series (603). Those scores led to an overwhelming win in actual all-events with 1,762 pins. Janet Houk had 1,498 to finish second, while Carla Siebenaller had 1,481, Pat Cook 1,457, Dianne Smith 1,456, Diane Hoover 1,451, Nita Doran 1,392 and Carol Fry 1,363. The winner of the handicap division of all-events was Deb Cleveland with 1,950. Heather Butler had 1,941, Vicki Noller 1,913, Robyn Wight 1,877, Jani Hartzell 1,876, Kristal Fitch 1,842, Terri Renninger 1,832 and Miriam Fankhauser 1,814.
Awards can be picked up at the women's association meeting, which will take place March 28 at 7 p.m. at Heritage Lanes.
The last night of team competition highlighted the 82nd annual Tiffin Men's Bowling Association City Tournament. Frequently, the final night produces the winner, but not this year. The champions posted their score on the first night and it held up.
Not even a 20-minute delay in the middle of bowling due to an equipment problem could stop Bascom Elevator from capturing the crown. Dave Coppus, Dave Hohman, Roger Coppus, Jerry Swander and Dave Depinet posted a score of 3,184 to take first place. A single mark prevented Wilson Tire from winning as the team of Mike Ditslear, Jim Mason, Paul Gosche, Dick Gabel and Mike Kisabeth racked up a 3,177 total to finish second. Megan's Alpine 3,122, Elchert's Lawn Service 3,110, and Just Nuts 3,090 rounded out the top five teams.
Frank Martinez shot 745 to win the singles crown. Wes Smith Jr. had 688, Chris Rhodes 686, Mike Kisabeth 676 and Chris Fowler 675 rounded out the top five. Frank Martinez teamed with Justin Hoepf to win the doubles title, shooting 1,347. Second place went to the team of Dennis Crum and Mike Babcock with 1,324. Dennis Wickert and Chris Fowler placed third with 1,302, while Ken Burns and John Tyree were fourth at 1,294 and Roger Coppus and Dave Hohman finished fifth at 1,292.
The actual all-events winner was Steve Steinmetz Jr. with 1,992. The top spot in the handicap all-events went to Chris Fowler with 2,018.
The Tiffin Men's Bowling Association meeting to pass out awards will be held March 25 at 1 p.m. at the K of C Hall.
Al Stephenson is The A-T's bowling columnist.
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