4-3-2007

Wing Commander orders plenty of (bowling) strikes

She may be the only bowling wing commander.

"I know a lot of my colleagues play golf," said Finan, commander of the 341st Space Wing.. "I might be the only one who bowls in league regularly."

And she's not a bad bowler either.

Finan, who bowls with her husband Chuck in the Thursday Mixed Doubles League at Aces High, carries a 180 average and has a career-high game and series of 284 and 691.

"I'm like a lot of other bowlers," said Finan. "I can put two games together but I rarely pull off three good games."

Finan, pronounced Fin-an, says she started bowling when she was a 10-year-old growing up in San Bernardino, Calif.

"My first league was the bantam league at Arrowhead Lanes in San Bernardino. I started out with a 10-pound ball, eventually went to a 12-pounder and now I use a 14-pounder."

After high school graduation, she quit bowling for a quite a long time.

"I just never got back into it," said Finan. "I thought about it several times but the opportunites were limited."

Finan finally returned to bowling after meeting and marrying her husband.

"He's a big bowler, too," said Finan, about her husband who carries a 200 average. "It's a fun way to spend time together."

"I don't throw a big hook," said Finan. "It's kind of an arching hook. It just hooks in at the end."

"I would compare her to some of the better women bowlers downtown," said Aces High manager Bryon Mullett. "She's a bowler who takes it pretty serious but also has a good time.

"I would say she hooks the ball between five and 10 boards."

Finan says she is very happy with the condition of Aces High.

"Bryon is a doing a great job," said Finan. "And he's doing such a fine job with our junior program."

·  ·  ·  In this past weekend's Glenn Rose Memorial Scholarship Tournament, Great Falls' Jeff Lull and Billings' Amber Hoyt captured the top prizes in Sunday's stepladder finals, held at Little's Lanes.

Lull, who averaged 206 in Sunday's match play portion to take the top seed, defeated Missoula's Matt Sears, 213-158, to claim the scratch crown.

The victory earned the CMR senior a $500 scholarship. Sears received a $400 stipend.

Great Falls' Robbie Schwenck opened the stepladder with a 187-158 victory over Great Falls' Eric Crawford. Schwenck then defeated Billings' Travis Bird, 196-157, and then lost to Sears, 183-178, in the semifinal.

Hoyt won the handcap event with a 239-206 victory over Great Falls' Josh Haagenson. Hoyt also won a $500 scholarship for her effort. Haagenson pocketed $400.

In the other stepladder matches, Belt's Dillon Gliko upended Billings' Sammy Dorendorf, 214-205, then lost to Billings' Keilei Kohlman, 190-186. Haagenson topped Kohlman 199-183 to move into the final match against Hoyt.

Third through fifth places earned $300, $200 and $100 scholarships, respectively, in both the scratch and handicap events.

Forty-four bowlers, with re-entries, rolled five games of qualifying on Saturday in the scratch event and the field was cut to the top 16 for Sunday's match play. It took an 894 or better to make the cut.

A total of 60 handicap bowlers entered the tourney. The top 24 made it into Sunday's match play.

The late Rose, who was inducted into the YABA Hall of Fame last spring, was one of the top bowling instructors in Great Falls for many years.

·  ·  ·  In a sign women's professional bowling is making a comeback, the USBC announced over the weekend it is reviving the U.S. Women's Open.

The Open, which will be conducted at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Aug 13-18, will feature a unique qualifying and bracket elimination format and will be televised by ESPN.

The Reno event will determine 16 finalists who will compete in four separate, four-player, tape-delayed televised elimination rounds. The winner in each elimination round will earn a spot in a live final bracket elimination to determine the tournament champion.

The live show will be Oct. 14.

Those women entering the Open will have the option of paying an additional entry fee to have their qualifying scores count toward the PBA Women's Tour Trials.

The scores will determine the 16 exempt player for the new USBC-sponsored four-week PBA Women's Tour, which will be held in conjunction with the regular Denny's PBA Tour this fall.

For more information, bowler should go to bowl.com.

·  ·  ·  Scores continued to soar last week at Murph's, with a total of four 700s shot, including Rich Fisher's high for the week 765.

Fisher, bowling in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League, reeled off games of 234, 277 and 254. Other 700s coming from the eastside included Lucas Cyr's 732, with games of 256 and 248; Del Erickson's 713, with games of 238 and 244 and Bruce Steffani's 246 and 704.

Linda Michel and Tracy Rigor shared women's honors last week. Michel, bowling in Pin & Cue's Monday 535 League, turned in games of 204, 221 and 203 for a 628. Rigor, in the Elks' Jack and Jill Mixed, went 225 and 222 on her way to a 628.

Leading the men at Pin & Cue was Don White, who turned games of 236 and 279 into a 710 series in the Sunday Mixed. Chuck Lull's 238, 264 and 692 series also deserves mention.

Rod Hackett paced the men's scores at the Elks. Hackett went 268, 233 and 216 for a big 717.

Mike Christensen's 720 was high for the men at Little's Christensen's set included games of 241 and 269. Jack Hawley, a Murph's transfer, also deserves mention after a 274 game and 714 series in Friday's Utility League.

Women's honors downtown go to Quincy Brown, who fired a career-high 243 game and a 536 series. The game was 108 pins over her 135 average and the series was a 158 total pins over her norm.

·  ·  ·  League secretaries and lane managers please take note, I have a new e-mail address. Scores and questions should be e-mailed to cbacka@greatfallstribune.com.

Here are the rest of last week's honor scores from around the region, including final results from the 2007 Elks State Tournament:

Murph's / Great Falls

Monday Christian Intramural— Del Erickson 231-238-244-713, Charlie Pepos 233, Bruce Steffani 246-225-233-704, Al Roberts 215(+71)

Belt Valley Mixed— Doug Pierson 248, J.C. Lindeman 243

Wednesday Men's Handicap— Lucas Cyr 248-256-228-732, Rich Fisher 234-277-254-765, Mike Preston 237, Drew Wanner 248, Larry Taylor 234-236-674, Ryan Moody 229-658, Scott Thompson 234, Josh Calvert 232

Tuesday SkyRaiders— Vera Smereck 213

Black Eagle Lanes / Great Falls

Friday 55 Club— Ray Voeller 212

Howard Ghee Thursday Mixed— David Capps 212(+56), Kathy Jorgenson 194(+57)

BECC Seniors— Bob Chesko 225, Red Johnson 200

Monday Volunteers— Ed Van Vleet 213(+50), Reeve Caffyn 213-213(+50)-634(+145)

Glacier Lanes / Cut Bank

Women's scores

Sunday Mixed— Hapi Seewald 190(+64)

Monday Night Ladies— Holly Keller 153(+51), Mimi Loring 177(+51)-484(+106), Deb O'Brien 179(+50), Janette Rckie 177(+64)

Wednesday Night Ladies — Charlotte Barry 200, Treasure Berkram 188(+64), Fran Jacoby 168(+61), Miki Suta 211

Friday Mixed— Jolene Potts 205, Kathy Talks 162(+50)

Men's scores

Friday Mixed— Carl Arnoux 247, Austin Carlson 195(+55)-205(+65)-530(+110)

K-Lines / Rudyard

Women's scores— Lynn Lonbecky 216 and made the 4-9 split; Marjie Spinler 200 and converted the 5-10 split

Men's scores— Darby Ditmar 227, Greg Spinler 236, Dave Watson 256-658, Sid Haugen 229, Chris Pappas 244

Snowy Lanes / Lewistown

Women's scores

Fresh Air— Sue McGuire 206

Monday Doubles— Dora Corry 209

Skyliners— Kelly Duncan 216

Wednesday Ladies— Becky Jackson 203, Bobetta Newton 203

Wednesday Doubles— Theresa Dirkson 193(+55)

Thursday Seniors— Carol Strander 212(+61)

Thursday Money— Cherie Errecart 226

Sunday Mixed— Anne Knerr 201-541(+109), Chrisie Wichman 171(+52)-459(+102)

Men's scores

Monday Commercial— Fred Wood 231

Monday Doubles— Dewey Rosman 227

Skyliners — Ken Berlinger 205(+75), Roger Derks 210(+69), Steve Horacek 212(+50)

Wednesday Doubles— Don Houser 205(+55)

Thursday Seniors— Bill Baldwin 222(+54)

Thursday Money— Jim Rasmussen 266-721, David Maier 222(+58)-603(+111), Ron Miller 191(+50)

Thursday Merchant— Rex Coleman 238-669, Garald Johnston 235, Larry Becker 215(+79)-516(+108), Steve Bracha 214(+73)-604(+181)

Sunday Mixed— Jim Rasmussen 238, Ted Knerr 235, Lyle Mackey 179(+61)-464(+110)

Little's Lanes / Great Falls

Women's scores

Little's Seniors— Shirley Christianson 208, Fran Oswald 181(+61), Grace Gregori 190(+58), Barb Skinner 150(+53)

Monday Ladies Classic— Lori Hopp 210, Jennifer Byrn 188(+74), Kim Reynolds 188(+57), Deb King 197(+64), Quincy Brown 243(career-high, +108)-536(+158), Tammy Cady 203, Cristy Snider 208

Tuesday Afternoon Trio— Max Frank made the 4-9 split; Alta Burford converted the 4-7-9 split; Caroline McKinlay 3-10 split

Wednesday A.M. Trio— Carol Garnell 189(+61)

MixMasters — Tracy Rigor 214, Doris Kimmerle 214, Barb Lankford 217-606, Karin Osborn 246

725 Classified— Coleen Balzarini 223, Guyla Streit 226-202

Thursday Mixed— Patti Curry 209

Short Short Season Trio— Anita Christianson 201, Roberta McCune 191(+63)

Classic Trio— Becky Bortnem 203, Lois Engbrecht 178(+51), Sharon Kunz 219

Satellite Mixed— Connie Dickman 201, Jackie Graham 201, Bobbi Olguin 220-203

Men's scores

Little's Seniors— Mearl Christianson 214, Rod Hackett 213, Mike Bowles 211-236-624, Dale Sirucek 202, Dave Shadrick 229, Elwood Sayler 235, Bob Chesko 205, Dennis Smrdel 205, Ken Croscutt 186(+65), Dan Ruff 212-202, Pete Pueschel 209, Chet Knab 212

Casino— Bruce Hruska 247-227-677, Matt Muretta 228

Tuesday Mixed— Mark Nash 241, Matt Reis 172(+50)

Little's City— Gary Paladichuk 285-686, Howard Clodfelter 267, Steve Krattiger 255-691

MixMasters— Jim Esther 245, Pat Terry 247-238-657, Mike Carrethers 245, Jim Aklestad 243, Don White 254, Trent Orr 217(+92), Bob Jackson 225, Mel Willey 230-225-651, Allen Fenner 246, Terry Pearsall 251-246-708, Jim Svir 235, Mike Christensen 241-269-720, Donnie Zuhoski 225-226-257-708, Paul Dehn 259-257-717

Business House— Travis Feller 222, Howard Clodfelter 234, Steve Johnson 223

725 Classified— Dan Schaaf 238-652, Mike Carrethers 252, Carl Conte 237, Bruce Hruska 265-672, Mel Willey 234, Willie McGee 236-669, Pat Terry 234, Mike Christensen 241-673, Paul Dehn 257-258-705

Thursday Night Mixed— Joe Paranteau 236

Short Short Season Trio— Steve Howse 236

Utility — Rick Suek 252, Mike Martinez 210(+68), Kent Wilke 212(+78), Jack Hawley 230-274-716, Steve Krattiger 233

Straight-A-Way— Al Pearsall 242, Mike Carrethers 244, Mike Carrette 237, Willie McGee 240-237-695, Donnie Zuhoski 245, Rich Crawford 236-246, Brad Harthun 236

Satellite Mixed— Norm Miller 225, Cory Arps 253, Darrin Schreder 234, Bernie K. Dickman 225-234, Hank Rimkus 229, Kyle Grossman 234-230-651

Aces High / Malmstrom

Thursday Mixed— Mary Shampo 201, Paula Livingston 202, George Garber 229, Doc Shampo 226, Tim Warden 236, Bryon Mullett 225, Les Taylor 244

Jack's Lanes / Fort Benton

Tuesday Mixed— Guyla Streit 203-216-219-638, Tom Streit 226-236, Cole Price 227

Thursday Men— Monty Meeks 258-665, Dick Fisher 237, Robert Olson 226-227, Randy Kerbs 234, Dustin Robertson 225, Tom Streit 226

Elks Lanes / Great Falls

Women's scores

Jack & Jill— Tracy Rigor 228-212-628(+136), Karin Osborn 225-222-614, Kathy Wanner 222, Barbie Kakalecik 207, Hallie Jacobs 191(+60)

Thursday Seniors— Lauretta Gifford 200

Elks Seniors— Shirley Adams 190(+59)

Friday Mixed— Barb Baumgartner 237-205-621, Nobi Sirucek 216-201, Jeannette Bartel 212, Lisa Dunn 208, Jean Ostlie 208, Rachel Lyle 182(+77), Karen Svenby 517 series(+100)

Men's scores

Jack & Jill— Abe Zigan 235-232-657, Paul Threlkeld 211(sr.), Dave Gifford 221-203-200-624(sr.), Tony Gribble 213, Fred Sadler 200(sr.)

Tuesday Men— Al Debortoli 258-226-661, Brian Brown 252-242-660, Gale Swanson 248-245, Martin Treis 245-571(+106), Rod Hackett 243, Dennis Vandenberg 243, Ben Flanagan 240-604(+136), Jeff Dennen 239, Chuck Martin 236-220-644(sr.), Mel Wardell 235, Ken Ferguson 234, Jerry Kenik 234-224-665, Rex Tanberg 234, Al Ridder 227-661, Roy Curtis 221(sr.), Ray Pankratz 211(+64), Ed Buresh 208(sr.), Mike Beggs 204(sr.), Mearl Christianson 204(sr.), Howie Low 183(+59), Don White 224-651

Bull Elks— Rod Hackett 268-233-717, Randy Guill 266-245-233-744, Ken Ferguson 247-222-667, Sherman Mills 245, John Basta 238, Gale Swanson 231-604(sr.), Terry Keel 228, Norm Miller 225, Roger Sherman 217(sr.), Dave Woolsey 216(sr.), Jim Pickering 214-214-609(sr.), Dave Gifford 213(sr.), Fid Fitterer 209(sr.), Chuck Dailey 209(sr.), Don Smith 200(sr.)

Elks Seniors— Rod Hackett 251-216-630, Len Buls 225-607, Sherm Mills 224-224-621, Mel Kerbs 216, Jim Remsh 216-201, Don Thrush 214, Chuck Dailey 212, Don Smith 211, Mel Wardell 211-202-611, Don Basta 203, Roger Sherman 200

Friday Night Mixed— Steve Vernon 235, Rex Tanberg 233-214-214-661(sr.), Chuck Bartel 228-629(sr.), Tom Futral 225, Tim McCune 220(+58), Chris Dunn 203(+50), Dale Sirucek 202-200-601(sr.), Greg Spangelo 201

2007 State Elks Tournament (Final results)

Singles

Men— Mel Wardell, GF, 722, Sherm Mills, GF, 716, Beau Brown, Deer Lodge, 703.

Women — Alice Martin, GF, 683, Mary Ann Beck, GF, 666, Bert Gresham, GF, 665.

Doubles

Men— Don White-Scott Rodgers, GF, 1,372. Bob Standley-Chuck Martin, GF, 1,355; Millard Ketterling-Dave Woolsey, GF, 1,351.

Women— Sharon Yaeger-Barb Baumgartner, GF, 1,315. Helen Dial-Berty Bowen, GF, 1,298; Mary Ann Beck-Dee Standley, GF, 1,268

Mixed— Hallie and Jake Jacobs, GF, 1,375; Dawn and Steve Vernon, GF, 1,343; Rex and Tracy Rigor, GF, 1,308

Team

Men— Joe's Delivery (Don White, Mike Hagen, Jock Rodgers, Scott Rodgers), 2,695; Elks Lanes, 2,619. BJ's Trucking, GF, 2,587.

Women— Monday Ladies (Lillian Fitterer, Hallie Jacobs, Tracy Rigor, Lauretta Gifford), 2,605; Wild Bunch, 2,488; BJ's Girls, GF, 2,428

Mixed— The Broken Wings (Barb and Mike Baumgartner, Sharon Yaeger, Chuck Bartel), 2,641; Griffins, GF, 2,514.

Pin & Cue / Great Falls

Women's scores

Sunday Mixed— Betty Peterson 200

Monday 535— Nobi Sirucek 201, Linda Michel 204-221-203-200-628-828(4), Chris Dittus 211

Ladies Nite Out— Sharon Gribble 212, Barb Walker 212

Wednesday Mixed— Chris Dittus 207-206, Nobi Sirucek 201-200, Trina Linabary 218, Shelly Rayl 211,

Friday Mixed— Gabriel Beauchman 213

Men's scores

Sunday Mixed— Ducky Faler 202-202(sr.), Leonard Peterson 255-200-645(sr.), Elwood Sayler 229, Don White 236-279-710

Monday 535— Joe Skaggs 215-205-245-665(sr.), Jim Reeve 206(sr.), Reid Michel 226, Chuck Lull 238-264-692, Mike Bowles 211-213-204-614(sr.), John Kramarich 225, Bob Berard 243, Don White 233-650, Leonard Peterson 232-652, George Levandoski 232, Bob Orham 248-228-688-855(4), Ross Rambo 235-246, Dan Woodcock 206(sr.), Chuck Bartel 237-201(sr.)

Wednesday Mixed— Alan Christensen 202(sr.), Bob Berndt 214(sr.)

MFCU — Bud Johnson 240, Dale Alexander 269, Ducky Faler 235-203-629(sr.), Steve Edwards 245-663

Friday Mixed— Darrin Davenport 269-678, Josh Buchanan 242, Dave Pfeifle 206(sr.), Mike Bowles 203(sr.), Bruce Skaggs 208(sr.), Bob Chesko 224-231-212-667, Jay Schmidt 257