11-7-2006

Pair of keglers picks up first perfect games

Last Wednesday night, Butch Preston and Randy Guill tossed simultaneous perfect games at Murph's and the Elks, respectively, for the season's sixth and seventh 300 games.

"I usually end up with a 279 or something like that," said Preston, who was bowling in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League on the eastside. "For a change, I got a chance to shoot for the 300 and I made it."

"I usually leave a solid 8-pin or an 8-10 split when I put a string together," said Guill, who was competing in the Bull Elks League. "I was waiting for that 8-pin or the split to come at anytime."

Preston's 300 was a rare second tossed this season at Murph's, joining Terry Brus in the exclusive club.

"On the last ball I was glad I got to bowl on the left lane, because the right lane was hooking a little more," said Preston. "Curiously I wasn't nervous and the last ball like the rest of them were right in the pocket."

"I was pretty nervous on the last ball," said Guill. "I was just hoping I could keep it on the alley.

"It went right in the pocket, and surprisingly, it carried."

"It was pretty exciting and I was able to hang on for a 702 series," said Preston. "So often you have a big letdown after a big game."

Guill also topped the 700 mark finishing with a 225 game and a 724 set.

"I've shot a lot of 289s," said Guill. "For a change, I got the big strike in the 11th."

"Bowling a 300 is so difficult because you have to try to get all 12 balls to carry," said Preston. "And most of the time you can't."

The pair join Pat Terry, Guyla Streit, Brian Christianson, Glenn Jeffrey III and Brus, who rolled the first 300 game of the season, in this year's perfect-game club.

Apollo Lounge No. 3 and the doubles duo of Marcia Roady and Roy Curtis Jr. captured the titles at the 21st annual Great Falls City Mixed Championships, which wrapped up two weekends of action Sunday at Pin & Cue.

Apollo Lounge No. 3, with Peggy and Misti Bowles, Sam Paladichuk and Leonard McNee, fired a 2,768 to beat Identity, composed of Les and Ellie Bruner and Peggy and Mike Bowles. Identity registered a 2,705.

Maid N' Montana, with Tim Miller, Vern Peterson, Wendi Castle and Karen Feeler, finished third with a 2,693.

Roady and Curtis dominated the doubles with a 1,421 total.

Second were Ruth Kuusisto and Jeff Linscott, who had a 1,369. Linda and Leonard McNee were third with a 1,330.

In Lewistown, at the Montana State Mixed Tournament, there were changes at both the top the team and doubles event.

Golfers I, out of Billings with Mel Eriksen, Stacy and Stu Summers and Steve Cassity, took over the top spot in the team with a 2,690, taking a 10-pin lead over Mixed Up II of Billings.

JELB of Lewistown, the leader for the first two weekends, fell to third with a 2,541.

The Belt couple of Wayne and Sandy Francom combined for a 1,423 to lead the doubles. They are 71 pins better than previous leaders Carol Herron and Mel Blanchard of Helena, who are at 1,352.

Billings' Ted Bertrand turned in one of the best efforts of the tournament this past weekend throwing consecutive series of 701, 702 and 737.

The tourney runs one more weekend, ending Sunday. Most shifts on the final weekend have openings. Phone Rex Coleman, 535-3473, for more information.

Score one for Little's Utility League.

League member Chuck Winn claimed the top spot after throwing a nice 737 set in league play last Friday. Winn's series included games of 260, 235 and 242.

It was a down week for the ladies, with Doris Kimmerle's 628 in Little's MixMasters leading the pack.

Guill's 300 and 724 led the men at the Elks. Kathy Wanner's 236 game and Jean Ostlie's 567 series shared women's honors.

Pin & Cue's highs were turned in by Joe Skaggs, who had games of 244 and 255 for a 706 series, and Deb Skinner, who led the women with a 217 game and 564 series.

Leonard Peterson's 235 game and 678 series set the pace at Black Eagle.

Curt Backa, more absent-minded than an absentee voter, is a Tribune sports and news copy editor and resident bowling hack. Backa, when not sleeping during staff meetings, can be reached at 791-6569, 800-438-6600 or e-mailed at cbacka@greatfal.gannett.com

Here are the rest of last week's honor scores from around the area's houses:

Glacier Lanes / Cut Bank

Women's scores

Sunday Night Mixed — Laurie Wynn 194(+73)

Monday Night Ladies — Carol Flammond 208-524(+131), Holly Keller 153(+74), Melisa Michaels 410 series(+104)

Tuesday Housewives — Debbie Hallenberg 212, Dee Rooney 208, Laurie Wynn 210-503(+123)

Wednesday Ladies — Stacey Roush 221-211-601, Kendra Vermulm 175(+54)-479(+116)

Friday Night Mixed — Jolene Potts 212

Men's scores

Sunday Mixed — Gerald Stockman 186(+78)-447(+123)

Thursday Commercial — Kevin Eaton 243, Dennis Lenoir 206(+59), Tim Luedtke 217(+61), Earl Tail 207(+53), Don Weaver 214(+50)-219(+54)

Friday Mixed — Jim Vaile 243, Mike Moran 180(+50)

Jack's Lanes / Fort Benton

Monday Dust Bowlers — Tom Willson 227

Monday Night Mixed — Trampus Corder 227

Triple L Ladies — Cindy Hunter 201-216

Thursday Men — Tom Willson 225-236-653, Jack Willson 277-650, Bill Madsen 226

Snowy Lanes / Lewistown

Women's scores

Fresh Air — Billie Shammel 194(+50)

Tuesday Skyliners — Kelly Duncan 202

Wednesday Pinetoppers — Corrie Knerr 200

Thursday Seniors — Carol Strander 215

Thursday Money — Fran Coats 209

Sunday Mixed — Jennifer Blazicevich 188(+77)-436(+103)

Men's scores

Commercial — Vern Howard 179(+50)

Tuesday Trio — Wally Hajenga 160(+75), Doug Bingeman 205(+63)

Skyliners — Chuck Dirksen 223(+54)

Thursday Seniors — Floyd Jenni 170(+46)

Thursday Money — Dewey Rosman 244-671, Ed Vogl 216(+56), Bill Munich 192(+60)

Thursday Merchant — Jim Rasmussen 229, Tim Anthony 220(+62)

Sunday Mixed — Jason Blazicevich 382 series(+106)

Elks Lanes / Great Falls

Women's scores

Jack & Jill — Kathy Wannger 236-552(+117), Sharon Gribble 210, Karin Osborn 203, Mary Duryee 194(+72), Cara Piccono 180(+65)

Thursday Seniors — Tina Buls 210-194(+52)-529(+103), Glorida Puechsel 190

Thursday Ladies — Lauretta Gifford 212, Renee LeVeque 201(+77)-506(+134)

Friday Mixed — Dawn Vernon 216-203, Jean Ostlie 212-209-567(+102), Lisa Dunn 209, Heather Vukasin 204, Jeannette Bartel 200

Early Birds — Kay Kinzinger 205

Men's scores

Jack & Jill — Bernie Dickman 238, Fred Sadler 221(sr.)

Tuesday Men — Rex Tanberg 257-236-224-717(+150), Al DeBortoli 247-214-670, Ken Frguson 246, Lee LeVeque 242-633(+111), Rod Hackett 236-228-657, Gary Willits 233, Brian Brown 227, Jerry Vukasin 226, chuck Martin 223-203-610(sr.), Myrle Gollaher 214(+62), Bob Standley 213(sr.), Shannon Ostlie 211(sr.), Bill Austin 209(+51), George Odore 209(sr.), Mel Wardell 207(sr.), Ken Beck 204(sr.), Rich Ferderer 203(sr.), Mac McKay 201-575(+104), John Figarelle 197(+64)

Bull Elks — Randy Guill 300-225-724, Talbert Bryan 255, Ken Ferguson 241-656, Joe Murray 234-653, Doc Basta 221(+51)-211-607(sr.), Rod Hackett 213(sr.), Gary Jensen 210(+52)-607(+133), Dave Shadrick 206(sr.), Ed Mattix 205(sr.), Ed white 202(sr.), Mac McKay 201(sr.) Rhad Keel 191(+53), Aaron Paul 201(+50)-564(+111), Josh Lytle 602(+113, first-ever 600)

Thursday Seniors — Len Buls 246-204-644, Don Thrush 243, Dave Shadrick 240-602, Emil Nygard 238-566(+107), Sherm Mills 236-607(+145), Rich Ferder 226, Mel Wardell 223, Jerry Vosberg 222, Jim Remsh 216-600, Roy Curtis 215, Harlan Lartch 204, Cal Hering 204, Bob Bellaver 201, Mel Kerbs 201, Roger Sherman 201, Bill Oswald 200, Doc Basta 200

Friday Mixed — Shannon Ostlie 240-201-610(sr.), Stephen Bush 234-625(+118), Joe Franchois 181(+54)

Little's Lanes / Great Falls

Women's scores

Little's Seniors — Helen Cascenden made the 3-7-10 split; Sharon Reeve converted the 1-7-10 spare

Teachers Mixed — Karen Johnson 181(+52), Shirley Sundquist 210

Monday Ladies Classic — Laurie Ueland 212, Peggy Johnson 201(first-ever 200); Tammy Cady 224, Pamm Selstad 183(+51), Marlene Samuels 177(+51), Cindy Sikes 210

Tuesday Afternoon Trio — Jackie Henry 200, Max Frank 201

Casino — Jackie Undem 203

Tuesday Mixed — Janet Meyers 209

A to Z — Vera Holtom made the 6-7-10 split; Barb Curtis converted the 4-7-10 split

MixMasters — Dawn Rambo-Orr 214, Doris Kimmerle 213-214-628, Judy Jackson 234-205, Kristen Egan 224, Barb Lankford 210

725 Classified — Doris Kimmerle 213

Short Season Trio — Teresa Solomon 211-222

Classic Trio — Bridget Schermele 189(+71)-197(+79), Ruby Willey 211

Satellite Mixed — Crissy DeBolt 218, Paula Guisti 201

Men's scores

Little's Seniors — Mearl Christianson 200, Rod Hackett 201-213, Bill Oswald 205, John Ferda 202, Dave Shadrick 218-200-254-672, Cal Hering 206, Bob Muretta 227, Wendell Peck 204, Mel Kerbs 205, Steve Lyczewski 215

Teachers Mixed — Matt Harthun 245

Casino — Bruce Hruska 256-237-693, John Dixon 246, Jim Dixon 252

Tuesday Mixed — Scott Thompson 255

Little's City — Mike Christensen 288

MixMasters — Donnie Zuhoski 247, Brian Lee 236-279, Ross Rambo 234, Don White 236-675, John Balzarini 227, Don Jordan 237-231-689, Robby Jackson 243-237-654, Pat Terry 234, Mike Carrethers 226, Paul Dehn 245-664, Ken Curry 236, Terry Pearsall 226, Mike Brown 236-652, Brian Christianson 236, Marlin Cross 231, Roger Wirtanen 267-236-703, Mike Christensen 248

Business House — Chad Cunningham 230, Ron Nelson 236, Mike Christensen 227, Brad Harthun 225, Ervin Crumley 223, Dick Cunningham 242

725 Classified — Bill Christianson 227-244-658, Glenn Jeffrey III 236, Wes Baker 235, Al Pearsall 234-226-652, Willie McGee 234-266-713, Bernie K. Dickman 225-235, Mike Christensen 226, Jody Bastas 236-658, Bruce Hruska 234-239-677, Mike Carrethers 235

Thursday Mixed — Ken Curry 232, Hayes Delisle 217(+60), Joe Paranteau 227

Short Season Trio — Don White 248, Scott Coulston 187(+55)

Straight-A-Way — Ron Corkin 244-236-695, Mike Carrethers 235, John Balzarini 235-254, Willie McGee 267, Brian Christianson 268, Donnie Zuhoski 246, Richard Crawford 268

Utility — Larry DeBolt 235, John Norton 231, Chuck Winn 260-235-242-737, Mike Sharp 226, Steve Howse 225, Norm Miller 225-226-656, Jamie Galbreath 232-235-666

Satellite Mixed — Matt Harthun 247, Andy Schindele 258, Jack Patton 244, Hank Rimkus 225, Greg Romanchuk 234-228-681, Clifford Hall 225, Darrin Schreder 255, Bernie K. Dickman 239-664, Mike Arps 252, Don Jordan 233

Aces High / Malmstrom

Thursday Night Mixed — Bob Shampo 244, Jeff Laird 233, Gerald Hurst III 233, Jerry Rangitsch 267, Michael Jerauld 270-227, Chuck Finan 257-258-696

Murph's / Great Falls

Wednesday Men — Stephen James 244, Terry Brus 201(sr.), Butch Preston 300-702, Ryan Moody 234

Friday Alibi — Del Erickson 222(sr.), Terry Brus 218(sr.)

Black Eagle Lanes / Great Falls

Monday Volunteers — Suann Konesky 198(+65)

Howard Ghee Thursday Mixed — Bo McCoy 210(+57), Bruce Enott 197(+52), Laramie Jorgenson 180(+67), Leonard Peterson 235-678

B.E.C.C. Seniors — Red Johnson 534 series(+150)

Pin & Cue

Women's scores

Sunday Mixed — Deb Skinner 217-203, Marcia Roady 202

Ladies Nite — Barb Walker 200

Men's scores

Monday 535 — John Kramarich 233, Don White 234, Jack Skinner 210(sr.), Ken Haugen 2336, Chuck Lull 215(sr.), Reid Michel 234-652, Chuck Bartel 209(sr.), Joe Skaggs 244-255-706

Wednesday Mixed — Jack Skinner 247-630(sr.)

MFCU — Curt Pepi 243, Boomer Bruner 210(sr.)

Wednesday Mixed — John Ferda made the 4-8-10 split