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Sunday, January 06, 2002

By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

The "WBUT Bud Light Championship Series" is marching toward to the championship madness in March.

In the first qualifier, Jim Ollio of Mars outscored five competitors to take top spot at Mars Lanes. He averaged 214 for the four games and slipped by defending tournament champion Brian Marcellus of Butler by a pin.

Fred Eggleton of Butler averaged 222 at Family Bowlaway Lanes in Butler to moved into the semifinals.

The next qualifier will be at Sherwood Lanes in Butler next Sunday, with squad times at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Entry fee is $40.

Mixing it up

The Pittsburgh Women's Bowling Association and the Greater Pittsburgh Ten Pin Association are sponsoring the 17th annual Greater Pittsburgh Mixed Doubles tournament at New Great Valley Lanes in North Versailles.

Competition began yesterday and will continue today with squad times at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

First place is guaranteed $800. Entry fee is $17 per person.

For information, call 412-823-2118 or 412-824-4850.

The tournament trail

Mary Dodds defeated Shawn Duvall, 224-189, in the final match to win Week 11 of the Miller Lite Head-to-Head tournament at AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes. Tonight's tournament starts at 8:15. Entry fee is $21. For information, call Shawn Endler at 412-590-8323.

Can you top this?

Dave Kristofik, a left-hander with a 211 average, converted the 7-10 split recently in the Businessmen's League at Swissvale Bowl-A-Rama. He drove the 7-pin into the pit and it ricocheted back out to knock down the 10. The rare split has been picked up only two other times in the history of the Bowl-A-Rama.

Perfecto

Dave Craddock Sr. had a 300/691 in the Coors Players League at AMF Noble Manor Lanes.

Nathan Gay's pitched his first 300 in the final game of a 709 series in the Thursday's Coors Light Classic League at South Hills Bowl.

Mark Balogh pitched a 300/727 in the Men's Masters League at New Great Valley Lanes in North Versailles.

League leaders

Dave Keefe's 213.39 average leads the Bud Light $12,000 Classic at South Hills Bowl, followed by John Fichter's 210.57 and Ramon Estrada's 209.82.

On a roll

Karlos Niswonger put together games of 278, 229 and 278 for a 785 series and Dan Schumacher had a 289/757 in the Coors Light Players League at AMF Noble Manor Lanes in Crafton.

Denise Komenda had a 286/753 for high game and high series for the women this year in Miracle Mixed Trio League at Miracle Lanes in Monroeville.

Andy Pichora's 299/768 was the highlight in the Men's Masters League at New Great Valley Lanes in North Versailles.

Jim Cillo's 259/760 topped the Wednesday Classic at Pines Plaza Lanes in North Hills.

Highest honor

Mike Koivuniemi, a native of Finland who became the first foreign-born player to win the U.S. Open, was the Bowling Writers Association of America Bowler of the month in December. Kim Terrell,who picked up the biggest first-place check ($55,000) in a women's pro bowling event when she won the U.S. Open, was runner-up.

What's happening

The Pittsburgh Bowlers Tour is sponsoring a handicap event today at West Pike Bowl, with $1,000 for first place. Entry fee is $39. There will be a doubles tournament next Sunday at South Hills Bowl, with $2,000 for first and a $98 entry fee. For information on the Pittsburgh Bowlers Tour, check the Web site http://www.bowlthis.com/.

The Western Pennsylvania Duckpin Tournament Series began yesterday and will have qualifiers Jan. 19-26 and Feb. 9, with the Grand Finals Feb. 16 at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association.

The Canadian/Western Pennsylvania Duckpins Challenge will be Friday through Sunday at the PAA.

The bowling column will appear every Sunday from September through April. The Post-Gazette will try to publish scores every Tuesday -225 individual and 625 for men and 200 and 600 for juniors and women. We're always looking for good stories, unique happenings and the people behind the scores. If you have an anecdote or an intriguing tidbit, either call Phil Axelrod at 412-253-1103, fax to 412-263-1926 or e-mail to paxelrod@post-gazette.com. Individual scores of 225 and series of 625 for men and 200 and 600 for women will be published every Tuesday.