11-6-2007
Christensen goes on another tear
If you ever had the chance to watch Mike Christensen bowl, it is really something worth watching.
And if you ever get the chance to watch Christensen bowl when he is banging the pocket, you'd almost pay to watch him.
The strapping righthander got on a roll last Thursday night in Little's 725 Classified League, reeling off games of 279, 267 and 268 for a whopping 813 set — his second career 800.
"I noticed Mike was hitting the pocket and stringing a few," said Don Jordan. "When I looked up again, he had shot a 279 and was well on his way again with a string of strikes in the second game.
"Next thing I know I see he shot an 813 in the league recaps."
The 800 was the second rolled in Great Falls this season — Bernie Dickman Jr.'s 809 was the first — and the third fired in the area, counting Choteau's Wayne Maurer's record-setting 823 at Alley Kat Lanes.
Two years ago, Christiensen shot his first 800 with an 803 in Nov. of 2005.
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A night before, Dickman, bowling in the Business "Let's Party Now" League at Little's, sent the league and spectators into an uproar blistering the first 11 strikes in a row before going a tad bit high in the 12and leaving a stubborn 4-pin spoiling the fun as well as his perfect game.
Dickman finished with a 748 set and the next night put up a 725 in the 725 Classified.
· · · ONE OF THE ATTRACTIONS of this weekend's Class 50's Ladies Scratch Tournament is that it provides good bowlers an opportunity to experience competing in a scratch element.
Yes, the tourney draws some of the best bowlers from around the region and state, but it truly welcomes bowlers who are willing to try their ability in scratch tourneys for the first time.
"Many times these bowlers' games are lifted up by competing with better bowlers," said Doris Kimmerle, one of this weekend's organizers. "We have seen this happen quite often."
Looking to test your game, the tourney still has many openings.
Six-game qualifying shifts are open at both 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday, The top 16 qualifiers advance into Sunday's seven games of match play — with an eighth position round that will determine the top 5.
The top five compete in a stepladder finals for part of $2,000-added prize.
Entry fee is $80 and Amanda Steffani will be back to defend her 2006 title.
Phone Little's 452-4116 for more information or to sign up for a shift.
· · · CHRISTENSEN'S 813 was the high for the week, but there were plenty of other high scores that deserve mention from around the area's centers.
The aforementioned Kimmerle tuned up for this weekend's tourney with a nice 706 set, opening with games of 226 and 202 and finishing with a big 278 for a 706. Kimmerle was bowling in Little's Casino League.
Leonard McNee came off his first 300 game with a bang, firing a 723 set, on games of 248, 235 and 249, in Pin & Cue's Friday Mixed League. McNee just edged Randy Guill, who put together a 705 set in the Monday 535 League on games of 224, 245 and 236.
Sara Hathaway topped the women on the westside with a 631 series, sparked by games of 205, 206 and 220.
Downtown at the Elks, the oiler must be doing the trick as scores continued on the rise.
Chuck Martin, in the Tuesday Men, led the way with a nifty 748 series, with games of 279, 255 and 214. Lee LeVeque deserves a little mention after the attorney reeled off games of 247, 242 and 234 afor a 723 in the Early Birds.
Dawn Vernon's 596, with a 219 and 214, was the women's high.
Out at Murph's, Rich Fisher was no stranger to the high score list posting games of 279 and 248 for a 749 set.
And at Jack's Lanes in Fort Benton, Robert Olson followed suit with a 757 set, with games of 264, 258 and 235.
· · · NOTES:A big thank you goes out to the organizers of the Bowl for Kids Sake, which wrapped up two weekend's of action Saturday at Little's.
Tina Cubbage, Laura Funkhouser and their staffs and volunteers put together some great times the last two weeks. Over $27,000 was raised over the first weekend. Bowler Lavonne Hagens raised the most with $3,000. ... Glacier Lanes in Cut Bank is playing host to an Adult Mixed Doubles No-Tap tourney this weekend. The event is unsanctioned and any bowler over 18 is welcome. Phone 873-4018 for more information. ... Also, in conjunciton with this weekend's women's tourney, Classic 50's is hosting a feed with free appetizers to be followed by a Calcutta. The activities are slated to start at 7 p.m.
Curt Backa, never one to turn down a free feed, is a sports and news copy editor and resident bowling authority. Backa, when not grazing at a buffet table, can be reached at 791-6569, 800 433-6600 or e-mailed at cbacka@greatfallstribune.com
Here are the rest of last week's honor scores from around the state:
K-Lines / Rudyard
Women's scores— Shirley Kline 2-10 split
Men's scores— Gordon Standiford 234, Greg Spinler 265-621, Todd Langel 225
Black Eagle Lanes / Great Falls
Wicked Wednesday— Dagni Gleason 433 series (+103)
Friday Falldowns— David Wise 202 (+51)
BECC Seniors— Don Mann 202, Frank Thompson 208, Bob Chesko 204, Ethel Sayler 164 (+45)
Park Lanes / Browning
Monday Trio— Merlin Sinclair 245, Galen Sinclair 234, Carl Arnoux 228, Don Barcus 227; Jolene Potts 236, Yoletta Polk 211-200, Kelly Boushie 206, Laurel Bull Calf 202
Tuesday Women— Karla Fitzpatrick 209
Wednesday Singles— Tim Higgins 236, Paul Pilgeram 204 (+56), Kenny Artel 171 (+52)
Little's Lanes / Great Falls
Women's scores
Teachers Mixed— Dorothy Haensel 201
Monday Ladies Classic— Tammy Cady 214, Trish Russette 159 (+56), Cindy Sikes 200, Cristy Snider 200-204, Betty Mee 180 (+52)
Casino League— Doris Kimmerle 226-202-278-706
Tuesday Mixed— Lindy Crocker 202
Wednesday A.M. Trio— Bonnie Guthrie 180 (+62)
A to Z —Janet Huston 199 (+66)
MixMasters— Doris Kimmerle 223
Business House— Toni Dusek 240, Sharon Kunz 205-216
725 Classified— Guyla Streit 219-213, Doris Kimmerle 209-213-601
Classic Trio— Ruby Willey 215, Nona Larkin 193 (+50) and made the 6-7 split, Shirley Durran 194 (+53)
Satellite Mixed— Jackie Graham 208, Patti Byrn 173 (+55)
Men's scores
Little's Seniors— Rod Hackett 214-224-627, Roger Sherman 214, Ed Dobeas 204, Roy Curtis 217, Jim Pickering 223, Dennis Smrdel 212, Al Decker 234, Bill Oswald 200, Pete Pueschel 190 (+51), Leonard Buls 203, John Ferda 220, Joe Reardon 189 (+50)
Teachers Mixed— Ron Meyers 245
Casino League— Bruce Hruska 213-670, Tom Brendgord 247
Tuesday Night Mixed— Scott Thompson 219 (+53), Bill Claassen 204 (sr.), Matt Reis 184 (+53), Sean Engum 235-247-701 (first-career 700)
Little's City— Chuck Winn 246
MixMasters — Marlin Cross 233-256-689, Jim Esther 256-676, Brian Christianson 258-268-726, Pat Terry 255-258-710, Ross Rambo 256, Bruce Hruska 234, John Balzarini 258, Paul Dehn 277-723, Mike Arps 233, Brian Lee 255, Steve Martin 227-656, Jesse West 232, Tony Gribble 231, Ken Curry 258-236-235-729, Tim Neuroth 235, Lucas Cyr 248-675, Bob Jackson 225, Jody Bastas 258-248-699, Jim Svir 255, Terry Sundquist 233, Mike Brown 225-239
Business House— Bernie K. Dickman 299-255-748, Stephen James 279-682, Brian Christianson 244-247-654
725 Classified— Pat Terry 268-694, Al Pearsall 241-665, Dan Schaaf 228, Dick Hixson 205-214-601 (sr.), Mike Carrethers 654, Paul Dehn 234, Jack Lien 255-671, Mike Christensen 279-267-268-813, Jody Bastas 279-249-723, Jody Bastas 279-249-732, Jim Chaisson 226, Glenn Jeffrey III 236, Mel Willey 232
Thursday Night Mixed— Ken Curry 268, Joe Paranteau 226, Dan Wilkerson 214 (sr.), Jon Tovson 226
Straight-A-Way — Mike Christensen 233, Pat Terry 242
Utility League— Steve Howse 257, Adam Thoroughman 225, Dave McGillis 215 (+53), Jack Hawley 245
Satellite Mixed— Don Jordan 246-653, Hank Rimkus 228, Abe Zigan 235, Mike Arps 257-699, Chad Waltz 233, Andy Schindele 232, Matt Harthun 227
Elks Lanes / Great Falls
Women's scores
Jack & Jill— Tracy Rigor 241, Dawn Vernon 219-214-596 (+113), Lauretta Gifford 200, Connie Croskrey 191 (+53)-521 (+107)
Thursday Seniors— Ethel Ramstead 192 (+71), Lois Hering 497 (+110)
Thursday Ladies— Nina Otter 171 (+58)-457 (+118), Donna Shandley 172 (+56), Sheila Reeve 167 (+50)-165 (+51), Ann Rambo 207-450 (+110)
Friday Mixed— Jean Ostlie 214
Early Birds— Dorothy Vukasin 188 (+50)
Men's scores
Jack & Jill— Jake Jacobs 234-228, Dave Gifford 220-217-639 (sr.), Bernie Dickman 229, Dave Culliton 223-223-639 (+117), Ed Trujillo 204 (+61), Larry Guttornsom 175 (+50)-477 (+102)
Tuesday Men— Chuck Martin 279-252-214-748, Vince Goeke 264-581 (+113), Wayne Maurer 243-234-616 (+106), Ken Ferguson 236, Mel Wardell 236-221-601 (sr.), Ed Bandel 235-602 (+110), Brian Brown 233, Joe Summers 232-590 (+119), Josh Lyle 229-587 (+104), Terry Keel 223 (+57), Al Debortoli 223-601 (sr.), Darren Rowe 221 (+100)-547 (+184), Mac McKay 207 (+64)-206 (+63)-570 (+111), George O'Dore 205 (sr.), Jack Anderson 202 (sr.), Millard Ketterling 202 182 all-spare game (sr.)-565 (+100)/
Bull Elks— Joe Murray 247-227-696, John Basta 244-226-675, Talbert Bryan 240, Jim Pickering 240-624 (sr.), Dave Gifford 238, Dave Culliton 235-226-665, Scott Rodger 234-233, John Toenyes 225-214 (sr.), Aaron Paul 225-563 (+100), Sherm Mills 200 (+73), Randy Guill 217 (sr.), Darwin Reeve 210 (sr.), Andy Atkinson 220 (+58)-597 (+111), Ed Mattix 205 (+61), Ron Kimball 187 (+50)-519 (+108), Bill Reed 460 series (+121), Craig Bimler 192 (+71), John Newman 162 (+50)
Thursday Seniors— Bob Bellaver 232, Len Buls 222, Jim Remsh 214, Darwin Reeve 210, Roy Curtis 203, Don Thrush 202, Mel Kerbs 202, Jim Krommendyk 202, Marvin Aune 200-489 (+114), Len Ritzschke 179 (+71), Dom Fontana 192 (+63), Dick Newman 193 (+56)
Friday Mixed— Chuck Bartels 254-252-699, Greg Spangelo 234, Mike Baumgartner 228-654, Stephen Bush 226, Howie Low 213 (sr.), Dale Sirucek 203
Early Birds— Lee LeVeque 247-242-234-723, Gary Willits 245-208-202-655 (sr.), Ken Beck 244-215-651 (sr.), Steve Vernon 236-235-659, Vern Durand 209 (sr.), Rod Hackett 203 (sr.)
Pin & Cue / Great Falls
Women's scores
Ag League— Bernie Campbell 201, Marlene Konen 5-10 split
Morning Glories— Cindy Brown 5-8-10 split; Betty Wandke 3-6-7 split
Monday 535— Chris Dittus 206-204, Terri Nall 221, Nobi Sirucek 204
Ladies Nite Out— Sara Hathaway 205-206-220-631, Michelle Paquet 224
Wednesday Mixed— Chris Dittus 221, Cindy Nicholson 200
Friday Mixed— Judy Ryan 208, Cristy Snider 209
Men's scores
Sunday Mixed— Leonard Peterson 213-201, Dan Woodcock 204 (sr.), Jerry Ferderer 216 (sr.), Boomer Bruner 230-204 (sr.), Josh Buchanan 225, Shawn Ostberg 234
Ag League— Roger Beck 246, Rick Cummings 211 (sr.)
Monday 535— Leonard Peterson 255, Randy Wadsworth 224 (sr.), Curby Dennis 236-214-618 (sr.), Bob Berard 226, Don White 216-211-607 (sr.), Joe Skaggs 200-213 (sr.), Arnie Judd 276, Bob Orham 214-211, Joe Smith 244, Steve Edwards 227 Chuck Lull 234, Jim Livingston 234, Randy Guill 224-240-236-705 (sr.)
Wednesday Mixed— Bob Ferguson 202 (sr.), Coley King 232, Al Vukasin 202 (sr.), Scott Karaffa 212 (sr.), George Levandoski 236, Steven Bankhead 242, Ducky Faler 232
MFCU— Jay Schmidt 250-657, Josh Buchanan 225, Mike Henderson 245
Friday Mixed— Bruce Skaggs 207-200 (sr.), M. Eastwood 234-225, Dave Pfeifle 206 (sr.), Mike Bowles 201 (sr.), Leonard McNee 248-235-249-732
Murph's / Great Falls
Wednesday Men's Handicap —Larry DeBolt 244, Jeff Walsh 231, William Fry 228, Jerry Wagner 225-235-662, Ron Simonsen 225, Charlie Pepos 245, Larry Taylor 237
Friday Alibi— Rich Risher 279-248-749, Ervin Crumley 242-233
Jack's Lanes / Fort Benton
Monday Nite Mixed— Tom Willson 225
Tuesday Mixed— Robert Olson 264-258-235-757
Thursday Men— Robert Olson 243-666
Aces High / Malmstrom
Thursday Mixed— Sandra Finan 210
Snowy Lanes / Lewistown
Women's scores
Fresh Air— Billie Shammel 181 (+50)
Skyliners— Dora Corry 210-551 (+122), Dorthy Erlandson 183 (+53)
Wednesday Afternoon Ladies— Teresa Lamphier 191 (+51), Elaine Thomas 561 (+114)
Pinetoppers — Glenda Kolar 201
Thursday Money— Cindy Bassett 204, Cherie Errecart 200
Sunday Mixed— Daylene Conolly 150 (+50)
Men's scores
Commercial— Jerry Johnson 234-532 (+100), Tim Thomas 233-637 (+142), John Nilsen 196 (+64), Bill Heath 198 (+51)
Monday Doubles— Jim Rasmussen 235, Greg Matzick 597 (+117)
Tuesday Trio— Bob Conard 218 (+70)-547 (+103)
Thursday Seniors— Hank Laughlin 177 (+55)
Thursday Money— Fred Wood 256-650, Tim Thomas 222 (+50), Tom Surber 186 (+50)
Thursday Merchant— Duane Neeman 222 (+69)-567 (+108)
Sunday Mixed— Don Miller 191 (+58)
Glacier Lanes / Cut Bank
Women's scores
Monday Ladies— Cesila Hofer 192 (+55)
Men's scores
Sunday Mixed— Jeff Billman 183 (+78)-495 (+150), Leonard Fugle 196 (+51), David Kennedy 165 (+51)-183 (+69)-501 (+159)
Happy Bowlers— John Omsberg 200
Thursday Commercial— Shane Borg 193 (+68)-168 (+51)