By By Mike Carson / bowling columnist
March 23, 2004
Maybe it was something in the water. Maybe it was simply warmer weather moving in and loosening up joints and muscles. It could have even been "Spring Break Fever." Whatever it was, it contributed to one of the biggest scoring weeks of the season as local bowlers scattered pins and reached milestones.
Yolanda Edmonds not only captured the high game of the week for the ladies with a nice 247, but also eclipsed her average by over 80 pins in the process. Matar McClinton blasted out games of 234 and 239 to take the ladies' high series with an impressive 644. And Tandee Marx gets to see her name here for the second week in a row after posting a 235/601 set.
Want more? I better not forget Debbie Jones and her 236 or Sue Kirkpatrick's 235. In the interest of self preservation, I think I will mention Janie Tisdale (can't afford to make The Flash angry) and her 233. And to keep Jeff Gaines' walking stick off the side of my head let me tell you about Shirley's 228. And last, but certainly not least, there was Lainey Rogers cranking out a 221 and Dora Williams snagging a 220.
As for the guys, most but not all of the action came Monday night in the Hucklebuck league where six 700s were posted and 15 bowlers posted games of 250 or better. Ken Miller claimed the high series for the week with a 741 set in the Queen City league, then came back and posted a 266 on Monday night. K.J. Humphries not only fired off a nice 730 series, but in the process beat 100,000-to-1 odds and converted the loathsome 7-10 split. Barry Woods was as hot as hot could be last week, posting two 700s. The first being a 726 on Thursday followed by a 702 Monday. He also claimed games of 266 and 268.
Mike Cothern didn't top 700 but he and teammate Leon Fike did fire off a nice 278 game which was a single pin less than Dustin Gray and Rodney Bounds who tied for the high game of the week at 279. Alan Topcik has been coming on strong lately and continued that trend with a 267/718. Other guys cracking the 700 barrier were Albert Edmonds, Tim Van Doren and Andrew Clayton. Keith Fike, Mel Cacapit and Robby Relinski all reeled in games of 266.
As if that is not enough the long list of 250-plus shooters included Eric Embrey, Arthur Dearman, Tim Edmonds, Billy Priester, Steve Eastman, Alan Terral, Greg Taylor, Mike Holcomb, Jason Pierce and Shayne Barfield.
As I catch my breath, let me congratulate junior bowler Olivia Taylor. The sweet young lady posted one of her biggest games on Saturday morning with a 200 and earned the YABA 75 Pins Over Average award in the process.
Ladies, don't forget your Annual Meeting this Sunday which will be held at 2 p.m. at the Scottish Rites Building. You will be conducting Association business, electing officers for the coming season and passing out the prize money from the City Tournament.
Stan's Classic Tournaments 8-Game Sweeper will return to Dixie Bowl on April 4. The event features both handicap and scratch divisions with payoff immediately following the conclusion of the tournament. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. and tournament play kicks off at 10. Contact Stan Bottorff for more information. You may also log in to bowling100.com for entry forms and complete information on other tournaments.
It was a great week for scores. Keep up the good work. Until next week, good luck and good bowling.