Home >  Sports >  Notebooks

Sunday, January 27, 2002

By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Brannan's Bowl in McKees Rocks moved into first place with a one-point lead over Pine Plaza Lanes in North Hills at the halfway stage of the season in the Pittsburgh Area Scratch Travel League.

Harley Schultz of Lokay Lanes led the way last week at Rosedale Lanes with high game of 279 and Rich Walster of Sheffield Lanes posted high four-game series of 978 with games of 258, 237, 237 and 246. Other top scores were turned in by Ken Segner (278/936) and Leo Fitch Jr. (267).

Joe Lowrie Jr. (222.25), Schultz (220.12) and Segner (219.87) lead the league in average for the season.

Kennedy Lanes was the highest-scoring house in the first half with a 210.70 average, followed by Plaza Lanes (205.55), Brannan's Bowl (201.69), North Versailles (200.28), Pines Plaza (199.35), Nesbits' Lanes (199.01), Rosedale Lanes (196.71) and Swissvale Arcade (190.61).

Scholastic stars

The boys' section leaders in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Bowling League are Baldwin (6-0) in the Southeast, Hempfield (4-0) in the East, Ambridge (5-1) and North Hills (5-1) in the North and Montour (5-1) and Chartiers Valley (5-1) in the Southwest. Baldwin's Daryl Sherred has high average of 211 and and Woodland Hills' Kris Carlisle has high series of 750.

For the girls, Hempfield (4-0) leads in the East, Baldwin (5-0) in the South, Our Lady of Sacred Heart (6-0) in the North and Montour (6-0) in the Southwest. Baldwin's Ashley Kessler has high average of 195 and Baldwin's Jessie Philage has high series of 648.

Tournament trail

Jeff Gunn (Moundsville, W. Va.) defeated Dave Johnson in the final match, 242-223, to win Week 17 of the weekly Head-to-Head tournament at All American Lanes in Steubenville, Ohio. Gunn averaged 246 for four games. Tod Thompson, who reached the semifinals, had a 300 in the second round.

Walt Thomas (Bridgeville) won the NABI tournament at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association with a 210-201 victory against Judee Bonino (Fox Chapel) in the final match. In addition to picking up $125 and a championship jacket, Thomas earned a free entry to the Tournament of Champions in July in Las Vegas. The next NABI event at the PAA is Feb. 10, with flights at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Entry fee is $29. For more information call Lorraine, 412-621-2400, ext. 276.

Andy Emerick defeated Shannon Wolfe, 214-172, in the final match to win Week 14 of the Miller Lite Head-to-Head tournament at AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes. The event starts at 8:15 p.m. today. Entry fee is $21.

The 800 club

Don Nyalka tossed his first 800 series with games of 276, 280 and 248 for an 804 in the Thursday Coors Light $10,000 Classic League at South Hills Bowl.

Perfecto

Dennis Mountain threw a 300/702 in the Thursday Men's Classic League at Princess Lanes in Whitehall.

Ed Brinkley had a 300/730 and John Vukovick a 300/672 at AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes.

Frank Dodds pitched a 300/680 in the Coors Light Players League at Noble Manor Lanes in Crafton.

C.J. Caligiuiri rolled his fourth 300 in the middle game of a 691 series in the Coors Light $10,000 Classic League at South Hills Bowl.

On a roll

Augie Burkhart fired a 279/753 in the Thursday Men's Classic League at Princess Lanes.

Mike Sweeney's 267/765 was the headliner in the South Hills Church League at Princess Lanes.

Bill Scheiwer Jr. had a 289/755 at AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes.

George Logue put together games of 277, 257 and 233 for a 767 series in the Coors Light $10,000 Classic League.

PWBA tour

Kelly Kulick, 24, is the first unanimous rookie of the year in the history of the Professional Women's Bowling Association. Although she didn't win a title, Kulick finished in the top 10 in 14 tournaments and was eighth in money earnings ($65,057) and ninth in average (209.02). A three-time All-American at Morehead State University from 1996-99, she was collegiate bowler of the year in 1997 and 1998.