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Sunday, January 26, 2003

By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Flash! Breaking news. Adam Ishman threw a 300 during a radio roll-off at Family Bowlaway in Butler to advance to the quarterfinals in March of the "WBUT Bud Light Championship Bowling" series.

Ishman, of Butler, is a member of the Penn State bowling team and was the runner-up last year in the tournament.

Others who have reached the quarterfinals are two-time defending champion Brian Marcellus of Butler, Chad Zak of Zelienople, Kevin English of Evans City and Chad Mowry of Lyndora.

There will be a qualifier today at Mars Lanes, with squad times at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Entry fee is $40.

Scholastic stars

Chartiers Valley's Mike Lambros had high game of 269 and high series of 706 to highlight the sixth week of the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Bowling League.

Other top boys' scores were posted by Franklin Regional's Justin Pass (267) and Nathan Shively (627), Greensburg Central Catholic's Matt Mckendree (258), Caleb Damiani (671) and John Rahl (643), West Mifflin's Nigel Irdi (619), Chartiers Valley's Gary McMillen (237/647), North Hills' Matt Altdorfer (236) and Chad Kachinko (626), West Allegheny's Ryan Crooks (255/612) and Our Lady of Sacred Heart's Mike Hortert (233/602).

The section leaders are: East Division, Hempfield (5-1); South Division, Baldwin (6-0); North Division, North Hills (5-1) and Chartiers Valley (5-1) and West Division, Ambridge (6-0).

For the girls, Penn-Trafford's Danielle Holodnak took honors with a 226 and 592 series. Also bowling 200s were Greensburg Central Catholic's Jacqueline Wilhelmy (222), Greensburg-Salem's Samantha Steele (213), West Mifflin's Nicole Malanoski (224), Carlynton's Jackie Riley (214) and Our Lady of Sacred Heart's Kelly Pifko (205).

The section leaders are: East Division, Hempfield (4-2); South Division, West Mifflin (5-1) and Baldwin (5-1); North Division, North Hills; West Division, Montour (6-0).

The 800 club

Josh Sopko, 16, a junior at Baldwin High School, put together games of 287, 258 and 256 for an 801 series in the traveling league at South Hills Bowl. Sopko, a member of the Highlanders in the WPIBL, averages 200 in the traveling league.

Perfecto

Bill Weiss (227 average) rolled his second sanctioned 300 in the first game of a 778 series that is high for the year in the Coors Light Classic League at Playmor Bowl.

The tournament trail

Don Hipkiss Sr. (Wellsburg, W.Va.) defeated Jim Petzel (Pittsburgh) in the final match, 280-225, to win the weekly Head-to-Head tournament at All American Lanes in Steubenville, Ohio. Hipkiss averaged 232 for six games. The strike-pot has grown to $2,205.

Russ Griffin defeated John Wynkoop in the final match, 228-203, to win Week 14 of the Miller Lite Head-to-Head tournament at AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes. There is no tournament today, but there will be one at 8:15 p.m. next Sunday.

Dave Mitchell picked up $1,000 by winning a scratch singles tournament at Freeway Lanes sponsored by the Pittsburgh Bowlers Tour.

On a roll

Jeff Wagler had games of 267, 259 and 257 for a 783 series in the Coors Light $10,000 Classic League at South Hills Bowl.

Peggy Marzec threw a 267/759 in the Coors Light League at New Great Valley Lanes.

Sam Zetts had a 266/764 in the Thursday Men's Master League at New Great Valley Lanes.

Pete Mochnach rolled a 259/762 to top the chart in the Coors Light Players League at AMF Noble Manor Lanes.

Mike Zebert had a 257/756 to headline the South Hills Lounge League at South Hills Bowl.

Dave Berman's 265/766 was high in the Bud Lite $12,000 Classic League at South Hills Bowl.

League leaders

John Fichter's 219.72 average tops the Coors Light $10,000 Classic League at South Hills Bowl.

What's happening

The Pittsburgh Bowlers Tour will sponsor the scratch Mid-Year tournament today at Playmor Lanes, with $3,500 for first place. Entry fee is $75.