Conger earns $1,000 with victory in all-lefty final in Billings

by Curt Backa

11-24-2009

      

Missoula's John Conger defeated Butte's Mark Hodges, 215-207, in an all-lefty final at the Treasure State Classic, held Sunday at Billings' Fireside Lanes.

The victory earned Conger the $1,000 first-place prize, while Hodges took home a check of $650.

Billings' Chris Guidry and Brad Muri were third and fourth, respectively, and former Missoula bowler Vince Saccarini, now out of Boise, rounded out the top five.

Top Great Falls' bowler was Mike Christensen, who finished seventh.

Also, making the top 16 were Bruce Hruska and Duane Zeier.

Zeier, who was Saturday's top qualifier, battled thumb problems on Sunday to fall out of contention.

The tournament drew 61 entries and it took a 63 over to make the top 32.

  • In youth bowling news, Great Falls' Brien Martinich won the B Division crown, averages 164 and under, at this past weekend's Bud Atchison Junior Ringin' 10 Scratch Invitational at Butte's Star Lanes.

    Martinich beat Butte's Michael Ryan 163-160 in the final match to claim the $500 first-place scholarship.

    In the A Division final, Butte's Jeff Preston turned back Billings' Travis Bird, 183-180, to win the title and the $500 stipend.

    Great Falls' Marynda Martinich turned in a 10th place finish in the A Division.

    The tourney, in its eighth year, copies the adult Ringin' 10 tourney, which matches the state's top bowling talent against tough lane conditions.

  • High scores for the week were turned in by Willie McGee in the 725 Classified League, and Hank Rimkus in the Satellite Mixed League, both at Little.s.

    McGee fired games of 223, 259 and 246 for a 728, while Rimkus matched McGee with games of 268, 259 and 201.

    Heather Helmbrecht, bowling in the Friday Mixed at the Elks, led the women with a 647 series. Helmbrecht's set included games of 244 and 211.

    Lisa Voss was high for the women at Little's with a 634 series, on games of 232 and 223, in the Tuesday Night Mixed.

    Charlie Compton broke through for the first 700 series of the season at the Elks with a 708 in the Wednesday Bull Elks. Compton had games of 257, 237 and 214.

    • Bruce Steffani continues to have a hot hand at Malmstrom's Aces High. Steffani, in the Christian Intramural, tossed a 715 series with games of 247, 234 and 234.

  • And don't forget about this weekend's Ragtime Mixed Doubles Tournament at Black Eagle Lanes.

    Entry fee is $40 per couple for the USBC certified event, which includes money prizes, and $2 of every entry will go to BVL, a charity for Disabled Veterans.

    Phone Betty Peterson, 868-1753, or Mary Reuter, 899-3817, for more information.

  • Snowy Lanes / Lewistown

    Women's scores

    Tuesday Trio:Fran Coats 204

    Tuesday Skyliners:Kelly Bracha 232-603, Karin Longshore 203, Nicole Distad 147(+51)

    Wednesday Afternoon Ladies: Nancy McKeen 168(+55), Nadine Robertson 178(+54), Jean Kaurin 184(+52)

    Wednesday Doubles: Carol Jennings 192(+63)-487(+100)

    Wednesday Pinetoppers: Darcy Sturm 201

    Thursday Seniors: Ellen Baldwin 183(+45)

    Thursday Money: Winnie Norman 177(+52)

    Men scores

    Monday Commercial:Jim Rasmussen 237, Tim Thomas 223(+54), Jerry Johnson 195(+53), Glenn Roberts 216(+53)

    Monday Doubles: Dewey Rosman 237-676, Rex Coleman 236, Shane Balthazor 219(+54)

    Tuesday Trio: Mike Monfils 202(+57)

    Tuesday Skyliners: Tim Anthony 226(+70)

    Thursday Money: Dewey Rosman 247, Fred Wood 232, Bill Munich 202(+52)-533(+116)

    Thursday Merchant: Jon Larson 253(+95)-604(+130), Rod Wesselmann 222(+75), Earl Tresch 208(+70), Rusty Hall 224(+63), Eli Bowen 205(+55), Mike Hall 214(+51)-594(+105), Daryl Butler 165(+51)

    Elks Lanes / Great Falls

    Sunday Mixed— Dean Person 233, John Reishus 222(+90)-512(+116)

    Monday AG League— Larry Cummings 201; Lee LeVeque(sr) 221/201; Glen Corccoran(sr) 187(+51); Lynn Freeman picked up 4/7/9/10 split. Kay Kinzinger(sr) 200; Alice Freeman(sr) 186(+60)/508(+130); Pat Onstad 143(+58); Lois Guidatis(sr) 169(+52).

    Monday Jack & Jill Mixed— Shane Brown 265-651, Ron Miller 235-225-219-679 (sr.), Rod Hackett 233-200-602 (sr.), Jerry Brown 233, Rich Teesdale 228-201-634 (sr.), Hutch Spangelo 219 (+63), Burt Tschetter 211 (sr.), Ron Meyers 205 (sr.), Dave Gifford 200 (sr.), Dave Doughty 179 (+50). Karen Arps 212; Sheila Brady 203/564(+102); Lauretta Gifford 206/200.; Dorothy Vukasin picked up 6/7/9/10.

    • Tuesday Nite Men— Darwin Reeve 279(+108)/211/204/694(+181); Brian Brown 268(+90)642(+108); Rex Tanberg(sr) 225/216/626(+131); Ron Miller(sr) 239(+65); Jim Dixon 236(+63)/232/215/683(+164); Mike Bowles 237(+60)/227/657(+126); Jim Whetham 236(+87)/615(+168); Al Ridder 228; Chuck Martin(sr) 225(+68)/222/201/648(+177); Dennis Vandenburg 222(+58); Wayne Maurer(sr) 220; Mike Beggs(sr) 212; Steve Soria 212(+57)/571(+106); Bob Rioux(sr) 210; Larry Veatch(sr) 209; Ed Buresh(sr) 201; Jack Anderson(sr) 200; Mearl Christianson 520(+109).

    Wednesday Bull Elks— Charlie Compton 257/237/214/708(+174); Randy Guill(sr) 242/631; Rich Teesdale 234(+73)/622(+139); Dave Culliton 233(+62)/232/658(+145); Aaron Paul(sr) 230(+80)580(+130); Tom Gossack(sr) 230(+82)/201/593(+149); Reid Michel 225; Bud Hagen 225(+86)/577(+160); Ron Meyers(sr) 223(+59); John Dixon(sr) 222(+59)/204/203/629; Rich Charlson(sr) 213(+50); Jim Pickering(sr) 212/203; Talbert Bryan(sr) 210; Norm Miller(sr) 208; Darwin Reeve(sr) 202; Dale Sterrett(sr) 201; Ed White(sr) 201; Ken Ferguson(sr) 200; Chuck Dailey(sr) 200; Josh Wuertz 181(+55)/502(+124); Tim Hagen 193(+53); John Figarelle(sr) 173(+50); DC Dobson 191(+50)/544(+121).

    Elks Seniors— Roger Sherman 235(+82)561(+102); Ken Price 225(+66); Doc Basta 222(+57)/214/626(+131); Ron Miller 217; Steve Lyczewski 215; Tony Degele 214; Bob Muretta 211(+75)/527(+119); Bob Bann 208; Dave Shadrick 206/201/593(+116); Richard Ferderer 200; Don Kuntz 200; Harlan Lartch 194(+55). Peggy Yetter 204(+52)Lois Gudatis 190(+56); Ethel Ramstad 181(+53).

    Thursday Ladies— Marie Walsh 206(+67); Dawn Vernon 206; Kay Kinzinger 202; Norma Miller 199(+65)/503(+101); Angi Brown 164(+53); Barb Nelson 194(+50); Vera Smereck picked up 2/7/10 twice.

    Friday Mixed— Mike Baumgartner 268(+102)/652(+154); Stephen Bush 235(+78); Chad Konesky 232(+64)/211/614(+110); Jim Dick(sr) 225(+77); Robert Smith(sr) 201; Josh Lyle 219(+67); Dave Shane 179(+54). Heather Helmbrecht 244(+81)/211/647(+158); Lisa Dunn 221(+64)/213/607(+136); Sheila Egged 219(+67)/203/574(+145); Jeri Bartels 203; Jean Ostlie(sr) 200(+53); Hillary Vukasin 200; Linda Summers(sr) 188(+58).

    Saturday Van's IGA Mixed— Steve Edwards 245(+77); Mike Hoffman 233(+57)/225/630(+102); Greg Gordon(sr) 224; Bill Sybrant(sr) 214/205/603; Wes Aho 199(+81)/459(+105). Christy Snider 202; Michelle Resler 184(+60).

    Sunday Early Birds— Gordon Weninger(sr) 244(+95)568(+121); Cory Arps 216(+/208/616(+112); Greg Romanchuk 214(+56); Ron DeBerry(sr) 200/571(+103); Rod Hackett(sr) 212; Lee LeVeque(sr) 203; Ken Beck(sr) 203/574(+124); Dale Specht(sr) 200(+52); Les Pedersen 195(+55); Josh Wuertz 480(+108). Amber Pedersen 211(+84); Dawn Vernon 235(+71); Carol Tigart(sr) 180(+54); Dee Standley(sr) 174(+54)

    Little's Lanes / Great Falls

    Women's scores

    Senior Citizens— Betty Wandke 168 + 56 and picked up the 6-7 split.

    Teacher's Mixed— Karen Arps 202.

    Monday Ladies Classic— Becky Ogden picked up the 6-7-9-10 split, Kat Vincent 172 + 50.

    Casino League—Rhea Harthun 199 + 50, Dawn Vernon 200, Donna Webb 165 + 53, Terry Tobiness 209.

    Tuesday Night Mixed— Lisa Voss 232, 223 - 634, Deb Dickman 180 + 50, Janet Myers 186 + 50.

    Wednesday A.M. Trio— Max Frank 198 + 54, Sharon Reeve picked up the 2-10 split.

    A to Z— Phyllis Lee 169 + 52.

    Mix Masters— Karin Osborn 213, Barb Lankford 200, 202, Kristen Dehn 213, Doris Kimmerle 201.

    M.F.C.U.— Terri Nall 221, Brenda Maheaux 201.

    725 Classified— Kristen Dehn 244 - 633.

    Thursday Night Mixed— Patti Curry 216.

    Classic Trio— Carolyn Kimmerle picked up the 3-7-10 split, Becky Bortnem picked up the 5-10 split, Joan Slocum 168 + 51.

    Satellite Mixed— Jeannette Laird 225, Jayme Wonsick 154 + 56.

    Men's scores

    Senior Citizens— Steve Lyczewski 211, Elmer Richards 207, Bill Claassen 205, Dennis Smrdel 200, 222, Jim Pickering 200, 209 - 605, Dan Ruff 217, Chuck Dailey 211, Bob Muretta 202, Darwin Reeve 266.

    Casino League— Mark Pettis 234, Steve Vernon 256, John Dixon 225, Bill Dixon 198 + 63, Donnie Zuhoski 259 - 656.

    Little's City— Curby Dennis (sr) 201, Trevor Cummings 254 - 690, Ron Fleming (sr) 204, Wayne Parker (sr) 200, Fred Bigelow 235, Brian Lee 258.

    Mix Masters— Mike Christensen 236 - 671, Jim Svir 235 - 675, Jody Bastas 239, Lucas Cyr 244, Al Fenner 245 - 657, Al Pearsall (sr) 279, 209 - 650, Scott Hirschi 245 - 653, Chuck Lull (sr) 226, 232 - 647, Mike Bowles (sr) 203, Brian Christianson 226, 227 - 653, Brian Brown 229, Mike Brown 239, Fred Sadler (sr) 226, Tyler Rames 228, Darren Rowe 278 - 665, Steve Martin 228, 235, 227 - 690, Tarl Dixon 234, Donnie Zuhoski 246 - 669, Bob Orham 226, Steve Howse 243, Paul Dehn 226, 245, 231 - 702, Pat Terry (sr) 227, 221, 209 - 657, Mike Carrethers 269, 244 - 678, Don White (sr) 239, 21, 212 - 653, Jim Aklestad (sr) 243 - 601.

    M.F.C.U.— Boomer Bruner (sr) 218, Mick Brown 245.

    725 Classified— Mike Carrethers (sr) 266, 202 - 646, Mike Arps 255, 225 - 657, Don White (sr) 231 - 601, Tim Neuroth 226, 225, Fred Sadler (sr) 246, Doug Yates (sr) 213, 203, 233 - 649, Willie McGee (sr) 223, 259, 246 - 728, Jerry Wagner 229, 244 - 651, Jack Lien (sr) 208, 226 - 612, Mike Christensen 249, Jesse West 231, Mark Hewitt 244, Glenn Jeffrey III 226.

    Thursday Night Mixed— Ken Curry 255, 232, 226 - 713, Dan Wilkerson (sr) 213, Fred Berry (sr) 256 - 621.

    Short Season Trio— Shad Griffin 238, Terry Hurley 231.

    Alibi Mixed— Del Erickson (sr) 216, Charlie Pepos 248.

    Straight-A-Way(PBA Experience)— Bruce Hruska 246, Willie McGee 233, Bruce Steffani 225, 233 - 653 - 1110 (5), Mike Carrette 245, Wayne Quinby (sr) 210, 209, 225 - 644.

    Satellite Mixed— Ron Blaquiere (sr) 223, 233 - 647, Jeff Laird 237, Joe Borne 267, Ron Stolle 206 + 50, Mike Feller 218 + 51, Hank Rimkus (sr) 268, 259, 201 - 728, Andy Schindele 263, Roy Hensley 189 + 50, Norm Miller (sr) 216, 204, Kyle Grossman 234.

    Aces High / Malmstrom AFB

    Christian Intramural— Rich Crawford 210-259-648 (sr.), Charlie Pepos 205-209 (sr.), Bruce Steffani 247-234-234-715, Annie Dietz 196 (+59)

    Wednesday Intramurals— Rick Prater 207 (sr.), Dave Torkelson 200 (sr.)

    Thursday Mixed— Travis Woody 237, Tom Rye 209 (+54), Jerry Rangitsch 223-221 (sr.), George Garber 204 (sr.), Erik Lavigne 225, Erin Moran 210, Gail Carroll 202

    Jack's Lanes / Fort Benton

    Tuesday Nite Mixed— Amanda Jensen 233-205, Guyla Streit 220

    Wednedsay Triple L— Susan Yager 202, Leslie Davidson 200, Natasha Cook 200

    Thursday Nite Men— Tom Streit 230-665, Cameron Tuss 259-649

    Pro Alley Bowl / Belt

    Belt Valley Mixed— Celeste Hoyer 182 (+50), Lisa Urick 213, Darin Osterman 234, John Baker 209 (+50), Patti Sweeney 5-7 split; Sandy Francom 5-7 split; Gary Pimperton 3-10 split

    K-Lines / Rudyard

    Women's scores— Helen Inabnit 214 and 3-10 split, Linda Foster 3-5-6-7 split; Shirley Kline 5-10 split; Marjie Spinler 3-10 split, Betty Marshala 4-5-7 split; Karen Knoer 4-5-7 split; Diana Patrick 3-7-10 split; Inez Keith 5-7 split

    Men's scores— Frank Neart 245, Bill Langel 234, Dave Herman 3-10 split; Jason Otto 5-7 split; Pat Foster Sr. 2-4-8-10 split; Darby Ditmar 237-638, Pat Newton 232

    Curt Backa, who again will be carved up on Thursday, is a Tribune sports writer, copy editor and resident kegling turkey. Backa, a Thanksgiving grazer, can be reached at 791-6569, 800 438-6600 or e-mailed at cbacka@greatfallstribune.com