3-27-2007

Rare string of 300 games at Murph's

Ron Simonsen struck for another — the lanes' fourth so far — last Wednesday night, opening his three-game set with the perfect 12 in a row for his second-career 300 game.

"I don't know what is going on," said Simonsen. "Maybe they made the shot a little easier.

"Actually the oil dried out pretty quick and we were able to get into a nice groove."

After the first 12, Simonsen wouldn't stop until a solid 9-pin in the ninth frame of the second game stopped a run of 20 strikes in a row.

"It was a nice shot," said Simonsen, of his 21st ball of the night.

Simonsen's second-game 269 combined with a letdown 182 in the third game provided a career-high 751 series, which was also the high set of the week around town.

"As a team we really had it going in the first game," said Simonsen. "We shot a 1,256 scratch and I think (Wayne) Quinby was the low man with a 214.

"It was really something."

Simonsen's first 300 game came last year in the city tournament, which was also held at Murph's.

As far as nervous on the final ball, "I was about the same as the first 300," said Simonsen. "I was a little nervous."

Simonsen joins Terry Brus, who tossed the first 300 of the season, Rich Fisher and Butch Preston in Murph's 300 club. Doris Kimmerle, Randy Guill, Mike Judd, Brian Christianson, Glenn Jeffrey III, Mike Bowles and Guyla Streit have also thrown perfect games this season.

Streit's was rolled in a women's traveling club stop in Missoula.

It was the 11th thrown this season.

·  ·  ·  After a weekend of record scoring, hometowner Nate Gelling defeated Spokane's Mike Hanson, 197-194, to capture his first-ever Ringin' 10 title Sunday afternoon at Butte's Star Lanes.

Gelling, 23, was strong all weekend leading qualifying with an unheard of average of 256.3 over the six games, followed by Salt Lake's Don Winter, who averaged an astonishing 255.8.

In Sunday's matchplay, Hanson outdueled Gelling for the top seed.

In the other stepladder matches, Spokane's Rob Cline defeated Calgary's T.J. Calera 216-180 in the opener. Craig Harrington, of Draper, Utah, then beat Cline 193-182, and fell to Gelling in the semifinal, 225-196.

Unfortunately, the stepladder scoring couldn't match the qualifying.

Gelling's victory was worth $2,000. Hanson won $1,200 for second.

There were 166 entries in the tourney, which ranks one of the best in the region.

Mike Christensen turned in the best finish of the Great Falls bowlers, in seventh. Others Electric City bowlers making the top 48 and getting a check were Rich Crawford, Mike Carrette, and Bruce Hruska.

It took a staunch 218 average to make the top 48, or 108 over.

·  ·  ·  In a sign that high school bowling is continuing to flourish in the state, the annual Montana State High School Bowling State Championships were held over the weekend at Helena's Sleeping Giant Lanes.

A record 14 boys' teams and seven girls' teams entered the event, which also included a boys' and girls' singles tourney.

The Hardin Bulldogs, paced by Nathan and Josh Link and Aaron Chavez, won the boys' team title with 177.5 points in the mixed regular and Baker-style, three-bowler format.

A point behind in second were the Helena High Bengals 2, made up of Ryan Collick, Josh Forbes and Brian Dahl.

Missoula Big Sky Eagles, with Theron Conger, Ryan and Matt Sears, took third with 155 points.

The Butte High Lady Bulldogs, which included Denea Reopelle, Kayla Medina and Amanda Mulcahy, won 186 points to claim the girls' division.

The Great Falls High girls, with Hillary Vukasin, Marynda and Joleen Martinich, turned in the top performance of the local teams, with a second, scoring 175.5 points.

Helena High, with Olivia Johnson, Katie Gorsich and Erin Murphy, took third with 120.5.

The CMR girls finished last in the field of seven. The Great Falls High boys, which included Trent Reeve, Eric Crawford and Sean Hill, finished just out of the medals in fourth with 145 points. The CMR boys' teams finished in 13th and 14th.

Hardin's Josh Link won the boys' singles with a four-game 880 total. Great Falls High's Sean Hill tied for third with an 816.

Butte High's Amanda Mulcahy won the girls' singles with an 806 total, beating out a pair of Bison, Marynda and Joleen Martinich, who turned in a 752 and 747, respectively, for second and third.

It was the third year the tournament has been held.

·  ·  ·  Junior bowlers will again have a chance to shine this weekend in the annual Glenn Rose Memorial Scholarship Tourney, which runs Saturday and Sunday at Little's Lanes.

The tourney will have both handicap and scratch divisions, with stepladder finals in each event scheduled for Sunday.

Saturday's qualifying shifts are 8 a.m., noon and 4 p.m.

Phone Little's 452-4116 for more information about the tourney.

·  ·  ·  Simonsen's 300 and 751 weren't the only good scores rolled at Murph's last week. Bernie Dickman reeled off games of 256 and 279 en route to a 729 set and Bruce Steffani led the week off with a 279 game and 711 series in last Monday's Christian Intramural League.

Todd Depping led the way at Pin & Cue throwing a 288 game, 100 pins over his average, and 688 series in the Monday 535 League. Chris Dittus was high for the women with a 222 game and 597 series.

Brian Lee was pin away from high-scoring honors last week after a 266 game and 750 series in the 725 Classified at Little's Lanes. Lee also had games of 237 and 247. Guyla Streit's 235 and 653 series set the pace for the women.

At the Elks, Dickman switched houses and led the men with 679 set in the Jack & Jill, coming on games of 247 and 244. Heather Vukasin's 222 single and 619 series led the Elks women.

Bob Chesko's 221 game and 602 series were highlights from Black Eagle Lanes.

Here are the rest of last week's honors scores including leaders after the second week of the Elks State 2007 Tournament. Also, the results from last week's middle and high school roll-off can be found in the youth bowling scores above.

Glacier Lanes / Cut Bank

Women's scores

Sunday Mixed— Theodora Weatherwax 196(+76)

Monday Night Ladies— Carolyn Barnes 197(+51), Heather Micheals 189(+68), Lee Shock 216

Wednesday Ladies— Kim Crane 202, Christine Howell 201

Friday Mixed— Jolene Potts 238

Men's scores

Sunday Mixed— Jimmy Littrell 201(+57)-203(+59)

Thursday Commercial— Kevin Eaton 247, Allen LaPlant 224(+59)-599(+104), Dennis Lenoir 207(+50)

Friday Mixed— Mike Moran 188(+57), Dan Svalstad 178(+53)

Snowy Lanes / Lewistown

Women's scores

Monday Doubles— Dora Corry 224, Jame Kowalski 192(+70)-532(+166)

Tuesday Skyliners— Kenda Horacek 211, Karin Longshore 202, Jenni Gaines 189(+50)

Wednesday Ladies— Elaine Thomas 216

Wednesday Pinetoppers— Linda Petersen 203, Susan Reilly 455(+107)

Thursday Seniors— Sarah Duncan 185(+49)

Thursday Money— Terri White 230

Sunday Mixed— Kami Rasmussen 204-493(+151), Suzy Skoyen 181(+56_

Men's scores

Monday Commercial— Jim Rasmussen 243

Monday Doubles— Dewey Rosman 244

Tuesday Trio— Dave Ward 222(+61)-610(+127), Doug Bingeman 221(+74), Wayne Reiman 166(+52)

Tuesday Skyliners— Tim Anthony 258, Dave Pillar 246, John Stokken 232

Thursday Seniors— Chuck Sifert 194(+51)-529(+100), Floyd Jenni 173(+47)

Thursday Money— Dewey Rosman 246-656, Ron Miller 205(+65), Bob Hanson 223(+52)

Thursday Merchant— Garald Johnston 265(+109)-569(+101), Jim Clinton 238, John McBurney 236-602(+122), Rex Coleman 231, Shane Balthazor 226, Leno Lankutis 219(+80)-540(+123), Tim Anthony 220(+54)

Sunday Mixed— Dean Person 236, Jim Rasmussen 234-675

Elks Lanes / Great Falls

Women's scores

Jack & Jill— Karin Osborn 253, Connie Croskrey 225, Jodi Paulson 222, Lillian Fitterer 149(+50)

Thursday Ladies— Lisa Dunn 216, Angi Brown 194(+53)

Friday Mixed— Heather Vukasin 222-200-619, Jean Ostlie 213, Dawn Vernon 213, Nobi Sirucek 212-201, Mikell Firman 190(+55)

Sunday Early Birds— Judy Ryan 201, Amber Petersen 181(+51), Jamie Harpole 176(+50)-509(+122)

Men's scores

Jack & Jill— Bernie Dickman 247-244-679, Abe Zigan 246, Zane Paulson 236, Jake Jacobs 232, Phil Piccono 223(+56), Tony Gribble 212(sr.), Mel Zuidema 209

Tuesday Men— Ed Bandel 248-246-645(+105), Jack Anderson 245-202-640(sr.), Al Ridder 244-226, Jack Howard 234-601(+115), Wayne Maurer 232, Don White 228, Rex Tanberg 223(sr.), Mel Wardell 221(sr.), Gale Swanson 221(sr), Chuck Martin 220-206(sr.), Roy Curtis 211(sr.), Ken Ferguson 210-208(sr.), Millard Ketterling 210(sr.), Jerry Vosberg 205(sr.), Myrle Gollaher 203(sr.), Ken Beck 202(sr.)

Bull Elks— Jim Pickering 257-662, Scott Rodger 247, Randy Guill 217-207-204-628(sr.), Rod Hackett 247-236-687(+114), Gary Jensen 235, Dave Culliton 234, Dave Gifford 233-653, Talbert Bryan 229, Sherm Mills 217-209(sr.), Gale Swanson 215(sr.) Bill Poser 213(sr.), Mel Zuidema 212(sr.), Ken Ferguson 203, Bob Dickenson 201, Doc Basta 201(sr.)

Thursday Seniors— Jim Remsh 256-636, Len Buls 256-201-638, Nick Cetto 229, Tony Degele 225, Mel Kerbs 223, Rod Hackett 216-210-616, Bob Bann 210-201-602, Bill Oswald 205, Dave Shadrick 204, Sherm Mills 203, Rich Ferderer 203, Mel Wardell 203, Chuck Dailey 202, Jerry Vosberg 201-565(+112), Cal Hering 200, Chuck Hackman 199(+53), Lloyd Allie all-spare 181 game

Friday Mixed— Mike Baumgartner 182 triplicate; Chuck Rogers 210(+59), Robert Smith 209(sr.), Bill Offerdahl 200(+55)

Sunday Early Birds— Steve Vernon 258-671(+104), Chuck Martin 278-654, Rod Hackett 220-212-202-634(sr.), Ken Beck 222-207-609(sr.), Vern Durand 221(+64), Gary Willits 218-203(sr.)

2007 State Elks Tournament Leaders (2nd weekend)

Singles— Men, Sherman Mills, 716. Women, Alice Martin, 683.

Doubles — Men, Don White-Scott Rodger, 1,372. Women, Sharon Yaeger-Barb Baumgartner, 1,315

Team — Men, Elks Lanes (Jim Remsh, Josh Lyle, Rod Hackett, Duane Zeier), 2,619. Women, Wild Bunch (Lisa Dunn, Dawn Vernon, Jean Ostlie, Karin Osborn), 2,488.

All Events— Men, Sherman Mills, 2,125. Women, Dee Standley, 1,986

Mixed Doubles— Hallie and Jake Jacobs, 1,375.

Mixed Team— The Broken Wings (Barb and Mike Baumgartner, Sharon Yeager, Chuck Bartel), 2,641

Little's Lanes / Great Falls

Women's scores

Monday Ladies Classic— Tammi Galloway 142(+55), Kelly Lawson 195(+57), Stella Murray 198(+58), Mary Black 201

A to Z— Vera Holtom 179(+53), Veronica Myre 212

MixMasters— Kristen Egan 243-620, Dawn Rambo-Orr 218, Barb Lankford 268-629, Karin Osborn 241, Guyla Streit 212-235-653

Business House— Sharon Kunz 210

Classic Trio— Sharon Kunz 200-248-200-648, Becky Bortnem 222

Satellite Mixed— Cheryl Dalla Mura 200, Bobbi Olguin 209

Men's scores

Seniors —Rich Ferderer 211-207-617, Chuck Dailey 214-200, Pat Terry 251-234-202-687, Roy Curtis 201-207, Rod Hackett 246-244-681, Steve Lyczewski 213-205, Dale Sirucek 202, Bob Chesko 226-201-621

Teachers Mixed— Jerry Nisbet 190(+55), John Toenyes 221(+58)

Casino — Tarl Dixon 237-224(+50)-651, Bruce Hruska 235-241-658, Mark Pettis 256-662

Tuesday Mixed— Gary "The Common Bowler" Forsman 222(+65)

Little's City— Bernie K. Dickman 246-242-233-731, Scott Shanahan 236, Steve Krattiger 232

MixMasters— Roger Wirtanen 236, Jim Svir 268, Mike Christensen 243, Chuck Lull 248, Don Jordan 226-247, Donnie Zuhoski 233, Jim Dixon 226, Bob Jackson 229, Mel Willey 247, Terry Pearsall 228-704, Paul Dehn 228, Rich Crawford 229, Brian Lee 277-676, Jim Esther 243, Kyle Wheatley 279, Ken Curry 248-247-698

Business House— Brad Harthun 246, Mike Christensen 258, Ron Nelson 224, Al Decker 202(sr.)

725 Classified— Mike Christensen 246-681, Jody Bastas 279-239-710, Brian Lee 237-266-247-750, Mark Hewitt 232, Bruce Hruska 236-673, Glenn Jeffrey III 245-658, Wes Baker 230

Thursday Mixed— Fred Berry 246, Ron Nelson 254

Short Short Season Trio— Marion Olson 227-246-651, Kyle Wheatley 255, Bill Yetter 270

Straight-A-Way— Rich Crawford 236-227, Wayne Quinby 228, Mike Carrette 243-236, Brad Harthun 228, Willie McGee 258, Bob Orham 225, Pat Terry 242

Utility— Rick Martinez 250, Jamie Galbreath 242-235-675, Norm Miller 236, Bill Bury 248, Jack Hawley 247

Satellite Mixed— Don Jordan 243-243-670, Kyle Grossman 230, Cory Arps 290(+111)-687(+150), Mike Arps 233, Matt Harthun 226, Hank Rimkus 228, Mel Willey 244, Andy Schindele 237-227-660

Aces High / Malmstrom

Thursday Mixed Doubles— Amy Mardis 202, Mary Shampo 212, Sandra Finan 233-216-608, Tim Warden 235

Jack's Lanes / Fort Benton

Dust Bowlers— Dan Danreuther 246, Jack Willson 226, Elaine Hahn 201

Tuesday Nite Mixed— Guyla Streit 279-647, Jack Willson 242

Triple L— Patty Paulsen 200

Thursday Men— Tom Streit 258-678, Randy Kerbs 225

Pin & Cue

Women's scores

Monday 535— Chris Dittus 212, Linda Miller 217

Ladies Nite Out— Stretch Richards 209, Judy Stubbs 204

Wednesday Mixed— Trina Linabary 211, Shelly Rayl 206, Chris Dittus 222, Julie Pfeifle and Stacey Peterson both made the 6-7-8-10 split

Friday Mixed— Shanna Konesky 213

Morning Glories— Barb Bessler made the 6-7-10 split; Donna Bossard converted the 4-10 split

Men's scores

Sunday Mixed— Richard Ferder 214(sr.), Ducky Faler 201(sr.), Leonard Peterson 223(sr.)

Monday 535— Todd Depping 288-688, Randy Guill 210-202-208-620(sr.), Tank Judd 229, Bob Orham 234, Chuck Bartel 235-657, Jack Skinner 202(sr.), Dan Woodcock 224-232-636(sr.), Larry Johnson Jr. 221-204(sr.), Les Bruner 229-278-630-863(4), Mike Bowles 218(sr.), Don White 213-216(sr.)

Wednesday Mixed— Nathon Faulconer 234, Brad Dockter 226, Ducky Faler 209-203(sr.), Jack Skinner 204(sr.)

MFCU— Arnie Depping 255, Steve Edwards 226

Friday Night Mixed— Dave Pfeifle 202(sr.), Gene Gladue 205(sr.), Ducky Faler 224(sr.), Dave Harris 255-649

Murph's / Great Falls

Christian Intramural— Del Erickson 203-230(sr.), Charlie Pepos 242-226, Bruce Steffani 279-711

Belt Valley Mixed— Dave Anderson 221, Gary Pimperton 223

Wednesday Men— Ron Simonsen 300-269-751, Drew Wanner 226, Lucas Cyr 238, Dick Preston 245, Butch Preston 241-666, Cory Preston 236, Kiel Brown 232, Bernie Dickman 256-279-729, Larry Taylor 226, Jack Hawley 246, Jerry Wagner 255-233-659, Tim Preston 225

Friday Alibi— Rich Fisher 247, Charlie Pepos 232, Kyle Braxton 276, Bruce Ward 212(+64)

Black Eagles Lanes / Great Falls

Friday Club 55— Charlene Kommers 192-185

Howard Ghee Thursday Mixed— Bo McCoy 207(+57)

BECC Seniors— Bob Chesko 221-214-602, Carl Kangas 220(+80), Red Johnson 199(+61), Jon Tovson 206

Tuesday Club 55— Betty Butler 204, Dan Ruff 200, MaryAnn Komar made the 3-7-10 split

K-Lines / Rudyard

Women's scores— Betty Marshall 212, Dani Kline 212, Karen Watson made the 5-6-10 split; Mary Hybner the 5-10; Marjie Spinler the 4-5, Bev Halter the 6-7-10 split

Men's scores— Shane Rice 232, Greg Spinler 235-656