Mike Christensen and Doris Kimmerle captured the titles, and Great Falls bowlers dominated this past weekend's U.S. Open qualifiers, held at Helena's Sleeping Giant Lanes.
Christensen won his first-ever major title defeating Bruce Steffani 203-183 in the men's final.
"Mike was pretty excited about winning it," said Steffani, who led Sunday's match play session to take the top seed.
Christensen marched through the stepladder, opening the finals with a 214-158 win over Great Falls' Mike Carrette.
Christensen then topped Billings' Brad Muri, 225-190 and advanced to the championship match with a 203-191 victory over Helena veteran John Brodersen.
"Both Mike Carrette and Mike Christensen made major runs to get into the finals," said Steffani. "Conditions were really tough, and they seemed to get it going."
Christensen pocketed the $1,700 first prize as well as a berth in the next U.S. Open.
Kimmerle claimed her first U.S. Open qualifier with an impressive 235-162 victory over Amanda Steffani Jensen.
Jensen, Bruce's daughter, ran through the stepladder with victories over Great Falls' Barb Lankford, 183-159; Fort Benton's Guyla Streit, 236-206; and Butte's Brenda Rathbun, 158-156, before running into the top seed in Kimmerle.
Kimmerle, who won the inaugural Magic City Classic last fall, won $455 for her effort and has her choice of an entry in the USBC Queen's Tournament or the U.S. Women's Open.
In all nine Great Falls' bowlers — if you include Streit — made it into the stepladder finals, claiming the four top spots.
It was bittersweet for the Steffani family, who came home with a pair of runnerup finishes.
"It was both good and bad for me," said Steffani. "It was great for Mike to win, but I wanted to win also."
History was made at Rudyard's K-Lines last week, as Gordon Standiford rolled the first 300 in the lanes' history.
Standiford, bowling in the Tuesday Men's Handicap League, added a 228 game for a 701 three-game set.
With so much bowling news going on, I forgot to send out my condolences to the Gene Black family last week.
Black, a longtime city association secretary and local hall of famer, recently passed away.
My fondest bowling memory of Black, was that he always liked to give the city champions each year a plaque to remember their performances.
For many years the tradition was forgotten until this year. Open tourney director Willie McGee brought back the momentos giving wooden nameplates to all the champions.
When I saw them, I immediately thought of Gene Black.
A lot of Electric City bowlers made runs at perfect games last week, unfortunately all of them came up a little short.
Charlie Compton and Kristen Dehn each put the first 11-in-a-row together, only to leave solid 7-pins on their final ball for 299 games.
Also, Mike Carrethers and Jo Ovalle each had 11-in-a-row 279s in league play.
"I thought I had the 300 game," said Compton, who was bowling in the Monday's Teachers Mixed league at Little's. "The ball was right there."
Dehn's 299 game was part of a 700 series, which was high for the week for the women.
Dehn was bowling in the MixMasters at Little's.
Bernie K. Dickman tossed the high set for the men with a 277 game and a 747 series in the Tuesday Mixed, also at Little's.
At Pin & Cue, Joe Smith, in the Friday Mixed, led the men with a big 289 game and 728 series. For the women, Heather Vukasin Helmbrecht's 232 game and 647 in the Wednesday Mixed was the high.
Scores took a little tumble at the Elks as Steve Vernon's 236 game and 661 series was the high for the men. Joleen Martinch, bowling in the Saturday Youth League, led the women with a 235 game and a 640 series.
Curt Backa, who has taken more tumbles than he can count, is a Tribune sports copy editor and resident bowling clown. Backa, off to catch a little roundball action this week, can be reached at 791-6569, 800 438-6600 or e-mailed at cbacka@greatfallstribune.com
Here are the rest of last week's honor scores from around the region, including the results of the recent Great Falls Elks City Tournament:
Jack's Lanes / Fort Benton
Dust Bowlers— Danny Danreuther 233
Monday Nite Mixed— Dale Stone 232; Tom Willson 226
Tues Nite Mixed— Amanda Jensen 202
Triple L— Patty Paulsen 213
Little's Lanes
Women's scores
Monday Ladies Classic— Tammy Cady 201, Tracy Eisenbarth 212, 208, Barb Jackson 204, Cristy Snider 200.
Tuesday Afternoon Trio— Sharon Zuhoski converted 5-7 split, Donna Schroder converted 4-5.
Casino League— Donna Webb 172 + 65.
Tuesday Night Mixed— Shannon Anderson 180 + 50, Julia Nicholls 142 + 51.
A to Z— Betty Mee 173 + 51.
Mix Masters— Guyla Streit 228, 217 - 615, Sally Callery 226, Kristen Dehn 213, 299 - 700, Barb Lankford 258 - 606, Karin Osborn 222.
725 Classified— Kristen Dehn 211, 222, 244 - 677, Jackie Graham 222, Doris Kimmerle 220, 206, 626.
Thursday Night Mixed— Patty Curry 227, Mary Shampo 209.
Short Season Trio— Roberta McCune 202, Lori Hopp 227 - 601, Charli White 206.
Classic Trio— Marilyn Gersack 171 + 53, Anna Salois 161 + 50.
Satellite Mixed— Karen Arps 215.
Men's scores
Senior Citizens— Ed Dobeas 243, 242 - 653, Chuck Dailey 224, Dave Shadrick 215, Roger Deitz 236, 222 - 625, Leonard Buls 203, 247 - 618, Wes Martin 218, Jim Pickering 277, 223, 204 - 704, Pat Terry 203.
Casino League— Taran Dixon 244, Roger Deitz (sr) 202.
Tuesday Night Mixed— Bernie E. Dickman (sr) 236, Bernie K. Dickman 277, 228, 242 - 747, Don Jordan 246, Dennis Vogel 189 + 60, Mike Agamenoni 202 + 57.
Little's City— Wayne Parker (sr) 233, 209 - 604, Fred Bigelow 238, Ron Fleming (sr) 221, Reid Michel 231, Mike Picking (sr) 202.
Mix Masters— Donnie Zuhoski 258, 279 - 711, Bernie K. Dickman 235, 267, 227 - 729, Steve Martin 228 - 653, Darren Rowe 234, Brian Lee 238, Jim Esther (sr) 247 - 618, Tyler Rames 237, 226 - 654, Charlie Pepos 232, Steve Lyczewski (sr) 213, Steve Volk 278, 232 - 711, Ken Curry 264 - 677, Marlin Cross (sr) 214, Pat Terry (sr) 215, Mike Carrethers 279 (11 in a row) - 678, Brian Brown 255 - 667, Mike Brown 231, Jody Bastas 234, 268 - 721, Mike Christensen 226, Mike Arps 235, 231 - 655, Paul Dehn 258 - 652, Stephen James 246, Lucas Cyr 264, Ryan Moody 225, 258 - 670, Steve Howse 253, Bob Orham (sr) 227, Ross Rambo 257, Dan Jackson 216 + 52, Bruce Hruska 255, Chuck Lull (sr) 214, 211, 226 - 651, Mike Bowles (sr) 234, 209, Don White (sr) 246 - 605.
725 Classified— Wes Baker (sr) 202, 231 - 601, Paul Dehn 246, 241 Dutch 200 - 687, Tom Brendgord (sr) 248, 209 - 668, Ron Meyers (sr) 258, 241 - 664, Pat Terry (sr) 256, 234, 248 - 738, Al Pearsall (sr) 213, 203, 211 - 627, Mel Willey (sr) 208, 201 - 601, Jerry Wagner 235, 269 - 696, Carl Conte (sr) 201, Mike Carrethers (sr) 247, 254 - 696, Ron Corkin 253, Duane Zeier 268 - 661, Mike Christensen 225, Brian Christianson 245, Glenn Jeffrey III 246, Ron Underwood 247.
Thursday Night Mixed— Cory Preston 269 + 109, Jon Tovson (sr) 212, Dan Wilkerson (sr) 222, Ken Curry 231 - 668, Doc Shampo 235
Short Short Season Trio— Jamey Galbraith 227, Duane Zeier 226, 233 - 673, Ryan Moody 244, 232 - 670, Kenny Volk 240.
Straight-A-Way (PBA Experience)— Paul Dehn 228, 256, 247 - 731 - 1092, Ross Rambo 235, 239 - 1085, Bob Orham (sr) 233, Willie McGee (sr) 216, 214, Bruce Steffani 236, 247 - 1090, Pat Terry (sr) 202, Wayne Quinby (sr) 200, 201, Mike Christensen 242.
Satellite Mixed— Bernie K. Dickman 256 - 662, Andy Schindele 233, Steve Volk 226, 249 - 689, Mike Arps 225, Jo Ovalle 279 (11 in a row), 241 - 714, Hank Rimkus (sr) 214, 214 - 618, Ron Blaquiere 233.
Snowy Lanes / Lewistown
Women's scores
Tue. Skyliners: Karin Longshore 213
Wed. Pinetoppers: Karin Longshore 201, Leeann Fisk 203
Thursday Seniors: Fay Kasala 174(+66)
Men's scores
Mon. Commercial: Matt Moseng 243, Rex Coleman 228, Dewey Rosman 225, Fred Wood 225, Vern Howard 201(+77)
Tue. Trio: Mark Kucera 238-623(+107), Dave Witt 191(+51)
Tue. Skyliners: Dave Pillar 232-669, Ben Ward 193(+79)-460(+118), Jay McGuire 184(+66)
Thursday Seniors: Don Dormady 200(+68), Floyd Jenni 169(+52), Jim Strouf 143(+45)
Thursday Money: Tim Anthony 223(+57)
Thursday Merchant: John McBurney 225, Rex Coleman 225, Mike Coolidge 214(+57), Bo Kombol 188(+51)
Sunday Mixed:Rex Coleman 267-731, Dean Person 237-671
Elks Lanes / Great Falls
Women's scores
Ag League— Jean Ostlie 191 (sr.)
Jack & Jill Mixed— Bobi Brown 204, Barbie Kakalecik 197 (+62)
Thursday Seniors— Carol Martin 196 (+67)-488 (+101)
Friday Night Mixed— Nobi Sirucek 204, Heather Helmbrecht 203, Jean Ostlie 192 (+50), Lydia Low 162 (+51)
Early Birds Mixed— Carol Tigart 194 (+66)
Men's scores
Monday Ag League— Rick Cummings 248; Nick Konen(sr) 213.
Jack & Jill Mixed Monday Night— Rod Hackett(sr) 259/630; Steve Vernon 236/661; Bernie Dickman 247; Bob Dompier 233(+50); Dave Gifford(sr) 215/207/602; Paul Threlkeld(sr) 203.
Tuesday Nite Mens— Vince Geocke(sr) 257(+79)/616; Gary Willits(sr) 236(+53)/619; Rex Tanberg(sr) 236; Al Ridder 235; Bill Brown(sr) 234/216/210/660; Jim Rothweiler 231(+50); Larry Veatch(sr) 228(+51); Lee LeVeque(sr) 225/222/211/658; Chuck Martin(sr) 224/213/202/639; Roy Curtis(sr) 215(+55); Mike Beggs(sr) 214; Max McKay(sr) 214(+53); Rich Rossberg 212(+51); Bob Standley(sr) 209/205/203/617; Millard Ketterling(sr) 204; Dave Woolsey(sr) 204/203; Ken Ferguson(sr) 202; Arnold Schlagel(sr) 201; Bob Rioux(sr) 201; Chub Michel 198(+57)/532(+109).
Weds. Bull Elks— Chad Mans 256; Dave Culliton 247; Jock Rodger 246; Rod Hackett(sr) 235/215/648; Paul Threlkeld(sr) 223(+56)/209/615(+114) (1st 600); Jack Howard(sr) 220(+59)/584(+101); John Toeynes(sr) 211; Dave Gifford(sr) 204; Fid Fitterer(sr) 204; Bob Dickenson(sr) 203; Jack Anderson(sr) 202; Bud Hagen 202(+51); Ken Ferguson(sr) 201; Chuck Dailey(sr) 200.
Thursday Sr League — Dave Woolsey 235(+50); Harlan Lartch 233(+75); Len Buls 225; Dave Shadrick 223; Jim Remsh 218; Don Kuntz 215, Jim Krommendyke 214, Bob Bann 212, Rod Hackett 212, Don Thrush 204, Tony Degele 202, Mel Wardell 201.
Friday Night Mixed— Mike Baumgartner 258(+73); Vince Goecke(sr) 234(+51); Steve Vernon 225; Bob Tilson 211(+60); Alvin Bartels 207(+83)/522(+150; Dale Sirucek(sr) 202; Bob Downey 185(+70); Roger Schulte 430(+105).
Early Birds Mixed— Bob Standley(sr) 225; Jack Mallory(sr) 215; Gary Willits(sr) 204/201/604; Rod Hackett(sr) 222/603; Chuck Martin(sr) 220/201/200/621; Vernon Durand(sr) 203/202.
Here are the final results from the Elks City Tournament: Men Singles: Dave Culliton 703; Josh Wuertz 701; Jack Howard 677. Women Singles: Carol Tigart 738; Barb Baumgartner 672; Jeri Bartels 659. Men Doubles: 1-Ken Ferguson 699/Darwin Reeve 721—1543; 2-Rex Rigor/Tom Croskey 1368; 3-Dave Culliton/Dan Rollheiser 1365. Women Doubles: 1-Jeannette/Jeri Bartels 1266; 2-Sharon Willets/Renee LeVeque 1252. Men Team: 1-Hi Ho Tavern #1 2656(Jack Anderson/Jack Howard/Ken Ferguson/Darwin Reeve); 2-Frontier Inn 2621; 3-Friday Nite Boys 2594. Women Team: Foxy's Casino 2565 (Della Johnson/Gloria Pueschel/Shirley Christianson/Kay Kinzinger). Mixed Doubles: Tracy Rigor/Rich Teesdale 1243. Mixed Team: Tees & Cees 2633. All Events: Men: Ken Ferguson 2127. Women: Shirley Christianson 1962.
Aces High / Malmstrom
MSC— Jim Johnston 206 (sr.), Miles Kirkhuff 203 (sr.)
Wednesday Intramurals— Don Richer 225, Dave Torkelson 202 (sr.), John Kurtz 237-654, Mark Boser 225-258-662
Thursday Mixed— Allen Antonson 243, Tim Warden 238, Rock Rayl 227, Robby Robinson 202 (sr.), Les Taylor 201 (sr.)
Murph's Party Bowl / Great Falls
Friday Alibi— Roger May 204 (sr.), Ron Rose 203 (sr.), Terry Brus 200 (sr.)
Glacier Lanes / Cut Bank
Friday Mixed— Stephanie Old Chief 121 (+51)
Thursday Nite Commercial— Tom Arkinson 174 (+59), Steve Burney 201 (+52), Jack Connolly 191 (+51), Ric Fauque 585 (+126), Albert Jordan 225-610 (+136), Rick Kraft 198 (+56), Neal Roush 564 (+102), Roderick Sellars 185 (+51), Raymond Skunkcap 214 (+67), Vern Watson 581 (+116), Marc White 279-646 (+166)
Sunday Night Mixed— J.W. Eaton 245-646 (+112), Dan Raemaeker 176 (+56)-462 (+102)
Tuesday Housewives— Gladys Billman 182 (+78), Joey Walter 168 (+64)
Black Eagle Lanes / Great Falls
Wicked Wednesday— Diana Maus 203-195 (+50)-586 (+151)
BECC Seniors— Carl Kangus 219 (+66), Dan Ruff 199 (+56), Bob Chesko 220
Black Eagle Bums— Leonard Peterson 246, Larry DeBolt 220 (+53), Jeremy Mellinger 206 (+65), Chris Greenfield 200 (+53), Tony Pietrykowski 196 (+65)
Tuesday Club 55— Ben Flanagan 151 (+118)
Monday Volunteers— Nathan Beebe 263, Andy Thomas 223 (+65), Shawna Miller 201 (+52)
Pin & Cue / Great Falls
Women's scores
Sunday Mixed— Ruth Rogers 232-619, Debbie Skinner 209, Nobi Sirucek 201
Ladies Nite— Chris Tinker 210
Morning Glories— Cindy Brown 213
Wednesday Mixed— Heather Helmbrecht 232-220-647, Holly Vukasin 225
Friday Mixed— Chris Dittus 232
Men's scores
Sunday Mixed— Jerry Ferderer 200-242-625 (sr.), Leonard Peterson 200-242-625 (sr.), Don White 246
Monday 535— Leonard Peterson 229-213 (sr.), Arnie Judd 215 (sr.), Bob Orham 213-202-244-247-659-906 (sr.), Curby Dennis 219 (sr.) Les Bruner 278-226-679-905 (4), Ken Haugen 212-207 (sr.), Chuck Lull 202-224 (sr.), Mike Bowles 221 (sr.), Rock Rayl 228, Dan Woodcock 205-210 (sr.), John Kramarich 234, Don White 200 (sr.)
Wednesday Mixed— Boomer Bruner 213 (sr.), Mick Brown 236-201-203-640 (sr.), J.D. Dennen 232, Joe Smith 259, Kevin Hieb 236, Dusty Curtis 233, Steven Bankhead 202 (sr.), Sam Hagen 236, Ducky Faler 247, Bill Schlosser 255-256-715
MFCU— John Baker 212-212 (sr.), Terry Cross 256-653, Dale Alexander 245
Friday Mixed— Chad Konesky 248-682, Bill Sybrant 248-630 (sr.), Leonard McNee 225, Joe Konesky 201-222 (sr.), Mick Brown 214-216-221-651 (sr.), Rich Fisher 233-235-673, Joe Smith 289-728, Bill Bury 233, Adam Thoroughman 232-235-670, Ducky Faler 200 (sr.)
K-Lines / Rudyard
Women's scores— April Kerhart 100 triplicate, Rose Ish 5-10 and 9-10 split; Helen Inabnit 3-10 split; Denise Wakken 3-10 split; Inez Keith 5-10 split; Ann Wickum 2-4-9 split; Marjie Spinler 2-7 and 6-7-10 splits; Doral Anderson 3-6-7-10 split
Men's scores— Mark Aspevig 234, Tom Allen 246, Gordon Standiford 228-300-710-901 (4), Ben Spinler 2-7-8 split; Nick Grant 3-10 split; Dave Jones 3-6-7-10 split