Gelling tops Groat in Ringin' 10

by Curt Backa

3-30-2010

 

It was only fitting that a Mining City boy would win Sunday's finale of the Ringin' 10 at Butte's Star Lanes.

Nate Gelling turned back the always dangerous Chuck Groat, 196-166, to capture his first Ringin' 10 title and pocketed the $2,000 first-prize.

It was a rare misstep for Utah's Groat, who held all three of Montana's top titles — Miller Masters, John Willey Memorial and Ringin' 10 — at one time during the past year.

Gelling, who is stepping up into the adult ranks after a splendid junior career, qualified third in Sunday's match play, and beat Salt Lake's Mike Sagers, 215-199, to advance to the final.

Great Falls' Bruce Steffani continued his remarkable season with another tremendous run in a scratch event, opening the stepladder by losing to Sagers, 224-223.

So far, besides Sunday's fifth-place finish in Butte, Steffani has finished second in the John Willey last October, was third in January's 40/90 Doubles in Great Falls with John Brodersen, was second in the Miller Masters in January and won the U.S. Open qualifier in February.

Sagers went on to defeat Salt Lake's Dustin Wareing, 243-180, before falling to Gelling.

Groat's runnerup finish was worth $1,500. Sagers picked up $1,000 for third. Wareing tallied $750 for fourth and Steffani took home $600 for fifth place.

The tourney drew 168 entries, down from 2009's 182.

It took a minus 38 to make the top 48 and Boise's Jamie Flynn was the top Saturday qualifier with a plus 176.

Besides Steffani, Bruce Hruska was the other Great Falls' bowler to make the cut and finished 47th.

  • If you missed it, and I did, amateur Brian Ziesig, of Levittown, N.Y., defeated Australian Jason Belmonte, 10-9 in a one-frame, sudden-death rolloff to capture the PBA Geico Mark Roth Plastic Ball Championship Sunday in West Babylon, N.Y.

    Ziesig, a former PBA tour player, and the two-handed Belmonte tied 247-247 in the championship game.

    Ziesig, who qualified for the tournament with a win in a tour qualifying round earlier in the week, collected $25,000 for the victory and became the first amateur since Brett Wolfe won the 2002 USBC Masters in Reno.

    Ziesig defeated Walter Ray Willliams, 255-237, to advance into the final.

    The Plastic Ball Championship required all players to use identical plastic bowling balls and is the one event on the tour that turns back the clock on ball technology.

    After last year's scam, when the players were able to use unlimited sanding on their balls, the jury is still out on whether this year's tourney was on the up-and-up.

    The bowling pundits will be quick with the answer.

    Back to local bowling, Lucas Cyr topped the scores last week with a nifty 776 series, with games of 257, 243 and 276, in Little's MixMasters.

    Lefthander Barb Baumgartner chopped up the Elks pretty good with a 684 series in the Friday Mixed downtown to top the women. Baumgartner's set included games of 235, 235 and 214.

    Leading the men at the Elks was Shane Brown, who posted games of 246, 245 and 209 for an even 700 set.

    Kristen Dehn was high for the women at Little's with a 624, topped by a 214 game. Colleen Balzarini's 268 game and 610 series also gets a nod.

    In the Black Eagle's Bums league, Nathan Beebe fired a 265 game, and Dave Huffman recorded a 661 series, 127 total pins over his average, to lead the scores.

    Curt Backa, who will never be referred to as a pundit, is a Tribune sports writer, copy editor and kegling enthusiast. Backa, when not missing the bowling because of golf, can be reached 791-6569, 800 438-6600 or e-mailed at cbacka@greatfallstribune.com

    Snowy Lanes / Lewistown

    Women's scores

    Tuesday Trio— Stacy Danzer 202, Norma Monfils 180(+72)

    Tuesday Skyliners— Karin Longshore 206

    Wednesday Pinetoppers— Cathy Rhodes 162(+62), Doreen McClure 164(+58), Leann Fisk 199(+53)

    Thursday Seniors— Carol Royce 182(+45)

    Thursday Money— Leslee Cox 168(+59)

    Sunday Mixed— Donna Stout 186(+63), Jeannie Rickert 183(+51)

    Men's scores

    Monday Commercial— Merl Coats 225, Hanley McGiboney 208(+67), Vern Howard 185(+62)

    Monday Doubles— Jim Rasmussen 265-741, Rex Coleman 278-738, John Stokken 665, Tim Anthony 212(+52)

    Tuesday Trio— Shawn Casebolt 218(+58), Mike Monfils 191(+55), Bob Conard 205(+51)

    Tuesday Skyliners— Dave Gates 218(+53)

    Thursday Seniors— Bill Baldwin 222, Bob Conard 201

    Thursday Money— Dewey Rosman 231, Scott Bassett 205(+53)

    Thursday Merchant— Tom Koski 245, Rex Coleman 225

    Sunday Mixed— Rex Coleman 258, Don Houser 209(+67), Matt Rodgers 186(+55), Ted Knerr 218(+51)-609(+108)

    Little's Lanes

    Women's scores

    Senior Citizens— Della Johnson 215, 204

    Monday Ladies Classic— Linda Michel 205, Pam Bentley 205, Collette Caffyn 215, Debbie Petrini 186 +51.

    Tuesday Afternoon Trio— Jackie Henry picked up the 4-7-9-10 split.

    Mix Masters — Sally Callery 200, Barb Lankford 204, 201, Kristen Dehn 214, 209, 201-624.

    M.F.C.U.— Brenda Maheux 204, Heather Helmbrecht 201.

    725 Classified— Coleen Balzarini 268-610, Kristen Dehn 203, 209.

    Short Short Season Trio— Teresa Solomon 209, Amanda Solomon 200.

    Alibi Mixed— Guyla Streit 215, Jolene Bass picked up the 4-10 split.

    Straight-A-Way (PBA Experience) — Doris Kimmerle 203.

    Satellite Mixed— Janice Zigan 224, Connie Dickman 230, Jeannette Laird 213, 212-604, Bernie Stock 168 +54.

    Men's scores

    Little's Seniors— Dave Shadrick 225, John Ferda 215, Jerry Alexander 200, Carl Kangas 215, Dennis Smrdel 213, 200, Bob Chesko 202, 208-605, Steve Lyczewski 224, 213-612, Bill Yetter 235, Pat Terry 211.

    Casino League— Mark Pettis 225, Rod Schwantes 240, Gene Warehime 205 +58, 203 +56, Monte Holtz 225, Steve Vernon 237, 245-679.

    Tuesday Night Mixed— Bernie E. Dickman (sr) 214, 222-619, Josh Redd 169 +50, Bernie K. Dickman 244-656.

    Little's City— Trevor Cummings 236-678, Doug Lapiere 246 +89, Frank Blaney (sr) 265, Steve Krattiger 232, 235 - 671, Mike Picking 225, Reid Michel 258.

    Mix Masters— Donnie Zuhoski 231, Jim Dixon 246, 244-711, Kenny Volk 254-661, Steve Volk 257, 240-697, Joe Paranteau 257-684, Mike Bowles (sr) 215, 237-647, Darren Rowe 234, Steve Howse 231-671, BobOrham 229, Roger Deitz 232, Lucas Cyr 257, 243, 276-776, Bruce Hruska 225, Don White 266 - 654, Paul Dehn 278-687.

    M.F.C.U.— Ken Huston 224 +55, KC Watson 223 +60, Tyler Sidor 225, Brian Christianson 226, Steve Howse 258, 247-708.

    725 Classified— Don White 278, 258-728, Bob Orham (sr) 205, Kenny Volk 237, Ron Corkin 227, Brian Christianson 231, Jim Kernaghan (sr) 204, Mel Willey (sr) 202, Bruce Hruska 228-652, Jesse West 233, Wes Baker (sr) 226, 215-601, Willie McGee (sr) 203, 211, 233-647, Al Pearsall 268, 248-698, Eric Highlander 233, Glenn Jeffrey III 225, Mike Carrethers 225, 266-665.

    Thursday Night Mixed— Joe Paranteau 256-674, Mike Hodges 231.

    Short Short Season Trio— Kyle Wheatley 258, Brian Christianson 226, 235.

    Alibi Mixed— Mick Brown (sr) 221, 223 - 607, Charlie Pepos 233, Del Erickson (sr) 211, Joey Palmerton 225, Terry Brus (sr) 204, Dennis Vandenberg 236, Brandon Storrusten 236.

    Straight-A-Way (PBA Experience)— Bruce Hruska 231, Lynn Taskila (sr) 210, Willie McGee (sr) 221, 276, 234 -687-1095 (5), Wayne Quinby (sr) 200, Jack Hawley 230, Jim Pickering (sr) 206, 203, 205, Trevor Cummings 225, Brian Christianson 266.

    Satellite Mixed— Abe Zigan 235, Jo Ovalle (sr) 256, 204-646, Norm Miller (sr) 201, Mike Feller 224 +51, Mike Sharp 264, Joe Paranteau 229, Ron Stolle 216 +61, Jeff Laird 246, 229.

    Elks Lanes / Great Falls

    Monday Jack & Jill Mixed— Shane Brown 246-245-700(+127); Rod Hackett(sr) 213-209-614; Ron Miller(sr) 245(+54)-227-674(+101); Dave Gifford(sr) 235-209-605; Jake Jacobs 234(+58)-628(+100); Jerry Brown(sr) 234(+53)-619; Rich Teesdale 232; Jim Vukasin(sr) 203 Women— Sgeuka Brady 232(+68); Connie Dickman 220-615; Lauretta Gifford 217.

    Tuesday Nite Men's — Al Ridder 267(+76); Chuck Martin(sr) 264(+88); Talbert Bryan(sr) 246(+63)-624; Darwin Reeve(sr) 243(+57)-206-619; Mike Bowles(sr) 232-215-625; Bob Rioux(sr) 228; Ron Miller(sr) 221-201-616; Gary Willits(sr) 220-211; Lynn Taskila(sr) 209; Mike Beggs(sr) 204; Rich Rossberg(sr) 200; Gale Swanson(sr) 200.

    Wednesday Bull Elks — Dave Keil 274(+79); Tom Gossack(sr) 257; Reid Michel 256(+66)-246-682(+112); Lynn Taskila(sr) 241(+60); Scott Rodger 236-223-205-664; Rich Reeve 233; Dave Shadrick(sr) 223(+52)-206; Doc Basta(sr) 213; Mike Hagen(sr) 210(+63); Rich Charlson(sr) 206; Ken Ferguson(sr) 203; Norm Miller(sr) 203; Darwin Reeve(sr) 203.

    Elk Seniors — Rod Hackett 258(+73); Jim Remsh 231(+53)-600; Darwin Reeve 223; Tony Degele 220. Dave Shadrick 216; Tom Bastas 216(+56); Ed Mattix 212(+61)-564(+111); Bill Classen 212(+54)-583(+109); Roger Deitz 212-210; Millard Ketterling 206-204; Bob Bann 203; Len Buls 203; John Ferda 202; Dan Hjelvik 510(+108). Women — Lynn Weeks 205(+70); Shirley Adams 175(+63)-443(+107). Bill Gernatt picked up 4-7-10 split.

    Thursday Ladies — Hallie Jacobs 201(+53); Tracy Rigor 200; Heather Janikula 192(+51); Robbie Korte 192(+53); Bev James 190(+56)-536(+134); Amelia Momberg 180(+77)-412(+103); Esther Shryne 180(+50); Angi Brown 177(+61); Mary Orham 517(+106).

    Friday Mixed — Dale Sirucek(sr) 215; Greg Spangelo(sr) 206; Robert Smith(sr) 214. Women — Barb Baumgartner 235-(+57)-235-214-684(+150); Tara Estes 235(+74); Hillary Vukasin 234(+59)-606; Sharon Yaeger(sr) 196(+50).

    Saturday Van's IGA Mixed — Dan Woodcock(sr) 223; Bill Sybrant(sr) 219; Gordon Gies(sr) 216(+63); Greg Gordon(sr) 215-203-608; Terry Hartwig(sr) 212(+59)-572(+113); Boomer Brunner(sr) 201. Women — Christie Snider 214; Michelle Resler 182(+55).

    Jack's Lanes / Fort Benton

    Dust Bowlers— Dan Danreuther 234

    Tuesday Nite Mixed— Guyla Streit 231-204-613, Amanda Jensen 210, Robert Olson 232

    Thursday Nite Men's— Tom Willson 258-650, Zack Kerbs 235-226-635, Monty Meeks 245, Al Cheetham 227

    Pro Alley Bowl / Belt

    Belt Valley Mixed— Lisa Urick 210, Mark Lanier 240, Bob Williams 245, Gena Clark 187 (+50), Shari Blomgren 185 (+50), Jake Larson 192 (+50)

    Aces High / Malmstrom

    Christian Intramural— Rich Crawford 246, Larry McKewan 215 (sr.), Charlie Pepos 214-241 (sr.), Del Erickson 210 (sr), Carol Gruwell 219

    Wednesday Intramurals— Kelly Helms 215 (+60), Don Sears 277, Dave Torkelson 200 (sr.), Sarah Mauney 164 (+52)

    Thursday Mixed— Ricky Naccaroto 245, Tim Warden 225-226, Chris Pound 267, Jerry Kenik 210 (sr.), Jerry Rangitsch 210 (sr.)

    Black Eagle Lanes / Great Falls

    Black Eagle Bums— Nathan Beebe 265, Pat Dockter 254 (+100), Dave Huffman 231-661, John Quinby 225, Ray Simonsen 222 (+55)-644 (+143), Hutch Spangelo 215 (+61), Josh LaRoque 188 (+53)

    Wicked Wednesday— Pam Kinsella 205, Caren Wood 183 9+53)

    BECC Seniors— Bob Bellaverr 235, Jon Tovson 209, Bob Sainsbury 209, Roy Porter 180 (+50), MaryEllen VanHoozen 164 (+58)

    Thursday Howard Ghee— Rich Gaskins 248 (+114)-521 (+119), Leonard Peterson 212 (sr.)

    Golden Seniors— Ann Updike 172 (+75)-397 (+106), Teri Knott 167 (+52)

    BECC Friday Mixed— D Wright 190 (+58), Mary Ann Rose 190 (+53), Linda Konesky 186 (+56)

    Monday Volunteers— David Bushard 209 (+56)

    Glacier Lanes / Cut Bank

    Friday Night Mixed— Vern Watson 198 (+62), Chad Wolfchild 386 (+110)

    Thursday Commercial— Glen Gorman 194 (+54), Roy Nolkamper 182 (+58), Aaron Vandenberg 202 (+56)-552 (+116(, Hank Weaver 199 (+51)

    Happy Bowlers— Bob Smith 179 (+58)-475 (+142)

    Wednesday Nite Ladies— Treasure Berkram 179 (+52), Sarah Boyce 143 (+62), Glenda Gobert 150 (+52), Amanda Stumpf 180 (+53), Johna Tafelmeyer 482 (+107), Gloria Weaver 147 (+47, sr.) 

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