By By Mike Carson/bowling columnist
Jan. 22, 2002
It's hard to believe, but the first month of 2002 is rapidly drawing to a close.
Along with the end of the month comes entry deadlines for both the men's and ladies' City Tournaments.
Both local associations will be holding their respective city championships the last two weekends in February.
The deadline for entry in the ladies tournament is midnight, Jan. 31. Closing date for the men is midnight Feb. 1. If you haven't put your team together, now is the time to do so and get your entry in before the deadline.
Both tournaments will also feature doubles, singles and all-events competition.
Also on hand now are entry forms for the Mississippi Women's Bowling Association 42nd Annual State Tournament at Rivergate Lanes in Natchez.
The tournament opens April 6 and runs each weekend through June 16. The closing date for entries is March 6.
We have also just received entry forms for the Men's State Tournament which will be hosted at Dixie Bowl May 4 through June 9.
Reserved entries for this tournament close at midnight April 4. Be making your plans and getting your teams together for these events. In local action this week, Tim Van Doren was the lead act.
The soon-to-be ex-bachelor dominated the boards by posting an 11-in-a-row 290 game and a season high 785 series during action in the Queen City league.
Other big bombers for the week included Ryan Relinski (709), Ron Coleman (276 game) Mike Cothern 278 game, 714, 741), Johnnie Blackmon (704), Scott White (729) and Jim Broderick, Jr. (705). Congratulations also go to Mike Barfield who recorded his first career "7" by shooting 700 on the nose.
The Meridian Bowling Association is now over $500 poorer as Mike Cothern broke the nightly Strike Jackpot last Thursday and received $510 for his effort. The jackpot was started over the next night at $50, but Curtis Rutledge made sure it didn't go much higher.
Rutledge hit the required sequence of strikes during the Hucklebuck league and pocketed $60.
The two join earlier winners Bill Fike, Johnnie Blackmon and David Cross. The Strike Jackpot is open to both men and women each league night.
Janie Tisdale, also known as the Kemper County Flash, was the top scorer for the ladies by serving up a 220 game/600 series. Annette Palmer had the high game for the week with a 239 while Tina Dozier checked in with a 23. Christine McNeil posted a 225; Denise Rutledge carded a 224 and Sue Kirkpatrick rounded out the leader board with a 223.
On the junior circuit, Josh Coleman led the youth with a 227 game/585 series while bowling in the Wednesday afternoon Fun Time league.