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Sunday, December 16, 2001

By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Rick Kunkle recently tossed games of 235, 266 and 300 for an 801 series in the Kiski-Valley Classic League at Lee's Lanes in Vandergrift.

But that's not the whole story.

He did it just five weeks after having 12 1/2-hour brain surgery to remove a benign tumor the size of a tennis ball.

"The numbers mean nothing. It's what it represents," said Kunkle, 34. "It allows me to know that everything's going to be fine. It's a sign everything's going to be OK."

Kunkle, who has had migraine headaches and numbness in his hands and feet the past seven years, was diagnosed with the tumor in September. The operation was a success, but Kunkle lost permanent hearing in his left ear and can't blink his left eye and has paralysis on the left side of his face.

"I'm certainly not as stable as I was, and I can't make any sudden movements," he said. "The doctors told me in about six months to a year I'll get back to a normal way of life."

Kunkle, down 30 pounds to 140 after the operation, was so weakened that he was instructed not to lift anything heavier than five pounds for four weeks.

"I've never been one to sit," he said. "I had to do something. The doctors didn't say I could try bowling, in particular, but they said I could try some things and, if I felt OK, I could continue. I haven't pushed it. I'm getting a second chance, so there's no way I'm going to jeopardize what I've gotten."

Kunkle, who no longer had migraines and had feeling in his arms and legs, started throwing a 15-pound bowling ball. His approach was deliberate and he threw the ball a little slower than before. To his surprise, he had practice games of 205, 202 and 211.

"I never expected anything like that because I didn't have my strength back," said Kunkle, a graduate of Apollo-Ridge High School. He laughed. "I had to put tape in the thumb hole so I wouldn't drop the ball."

On Dec. 5, one day before his birthday, Kunkle recorded his fourth sanctioned 300 and third 800 series. His high series is 814 in March at Lee's Lanes.

"It was tiring," said Kunkle, whose average is 221. "I call it an early birthday present. When I went in for the surgery, I didn't know if I'd ever bowl again. It's all positive now. I'll take anything I can get.

"Going through something like this [the surgery] gave me a whole other perspective on life. It makes you rethink your priorities."

The tournament trail

Dennis McGrath (Steubenville, Ohio) defeated Chuck Bennett (Martins Ferry, Ohio) in the final match, 215-184, to win Week No. 11 of the Head-to-Head tournament at All American Lanes in Steubenville. Bill DeVault had a 300 in the first round and Jeff Germann a 299 in the second round.

•Sam Orr picked up $1,300 by winning the Pittsburgh Bowlers Tour's mid-year handicap event at Nesbits' Lanes in Plum, Don Stahl took home $600 for second place.

•Mike Fuccaro defeated John Kleist III, 226-185, to win Week 9 of the Miller Lite Head-to-Head tournament at AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes. There is no tournament tonight.

PWBA tour

Kim Terrell earned $55,000 -- the largest payday in a women's pro bowling tournament -- by winning the $300,000 U.S. Open Championship with a 234-220 victory against Wendy Macpherson in the final match. Terrell became the third player this season to win a tournament as a No. 5 seed.

Perfecto

Vincent Schmidt started with games of 225 and 247 and finished with a 300 for a 772 series in the Coors Light Classic League at Miracle Lanes in Monroeville.

On a roll

Brad Semonik pitched a 279/794 at AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes.

Trifecta

Chuck Spear had games of 215, 215 and 215 for a 645 series in the Coors Light $10,000 Classic League at South Hills Bowl.

What's happening

The Pittsburgh Bowlers Tour is sponsoring its mid-year open scratch tournament next Sunday at Playmor Lanes in Lincoln Place. First-place is $3,000. Entry fee is $59.