Bowling Highlights Column 10-26-12

 Folks Have Not Asked For HS Bowling  

   While high school bowling flourishes in nearby Delaware County several Sullivan County high school athletic directors said last week that no one has ever asked to start up a high school team in their district. 

   Athletic directors Fred Ahart from Roscoe, John Wilhelm from Liberty and Doug Murray from Monticello didn't hesitate when saying they have never been asked to establish high school bowling in their districts. 

   Ahart, who is also a Section 9 director felt that high school bowling should not be too expensive listing travel expenses as most likely the highest cost.

   The Sullivan County athletic directors we spoke to all said that the number one expense would be travel and bowling fees.

   Wilhelm indicated that budget expenses are being looked at very closely today. Liberty a number of years ago also had inter-mural bowling.

   Murphy felt there was a limited amount of high school bowling teams to compete with. He did point out that Monticello once had  inter-mural bowling some eight years ago where teams within the school competed against each other. 

   General opinion is that high school bowling would only require a team shirt or tee shirt, bowlers would supply their own bowling balls and travel and bowling fees would be required from each school district.

   Bill Gleim, coach of the Hancock Central school junior varsity and varsity bowling teams and owner and operator of the Fox Bowling Center in nearby Hancock, said that for a very small school district, "we field 35 students on our JV and Varsity teams and bowl in Section 4 with Deposit, Afton, Walton, Sidney, Oxford, Greene and Bainbridge-Guilford during our high school season that runs from November through March."

   Gleim noted that he is paid by the school district as the bowling coach and they also pay the bowling fees and provide transportation. 

   "My JV and varsity bowling team members are allowed free bowling any time lanes are available during open bowling," Gleim noted. Gleim added the majority of high school bowlers have their own bowling equipment. 

   Financing a high school bowling team with today's economy and school districts looking to cut back any way they can could be helped with the  announcement by the High School Grant Program of the Youth Education Services (Yes) fund program that was created to assist high school teams that show financial need because of budget cuts or to assist schools starting a bowling program. Each year, four high schools are awarded a $2,500 grant through the YES Fund. The first grant was awarded in 2010.

  Tayorville High School in Taylorville, Ill, and Barren County High School in Glasgow, Ky., each will receive a $2,500 grant from the (Yes) fund.

  For Taylorville High School, the grant will be used to keep the boys’ bowling program active after the Taylorville Community Unit School District announced in March 2011 it would end funding as part of district cutbacks. The girls bowling program, which dates to the 1970s, survived the cutbacks.

  The district athletic committee agreed to allow the boys program to continue without district funding, and the Taylor Bowling Foundation was formed to provide funding. Taylorville High School athletic director Paul Held said he is confident the program can succeed.

  “I find this program to be one of great value to the high school experience,” Held said in his application letter. “The program also reaches a group of students that our traditional sports often don’t include. Everything is in place for this program to be a longstanding, vibrant part of the sports program.”

  Barren County High School never has had a bowling program but is ready to jump into the sport that saw a successful debut as part of the state’s athletic program in 2011. More than 80 schools participated in the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s inaugural bowling season and the KHSAA expects that number to grow to more than 100 schools within the next three years.

  Student surveys at Barren County High School indicate 25-30 students are interested in joining the bowling program.

  “We have met with our local bowling center and have an agreement for practice and matches,” Barren County Schools Athletic Director Bob Blair said in his application letter. “Everyone is excited about the possibilities. I have been in contact with local schools that already bowl, and I am beginning to schedule matches.”

  The High School Grant Program is part of the YES Fund, a joint initiative of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America and USBC. The YES Fund initiative is supported by top bowling brands including Brunswick, Columbia 300, Ebonite, 900 Global, Hammer, North Pointe, QubicaAMF, Roto Grip, Storm and Track.

  Those who support and want to start a high school bowling program have to step up and ask their athletic directors to add the sport to their program. They can also go to BOWL.com/highschool for information about the grant program and for the application.

Bowling Tip

By Mike Luongo

Bowlers: One of the previous tips was designed to help you achieve the correct body position to properly execute a bowling shot and be able to repeat it.

  This week, we will cover the release, information that will help bowlers of all levels.

  A properly executed release is possibly one of the most misunderstood parts of a bowling shot. Most bowlers tend to muscle the ball through the release zone, either accelerating or decelerating on the downswing. The proper release for all bowlers, (whether you are a six-year-old with a conventional grip or an accomplished bowler with many years experience) can be executed by letting gravity bring the ball from the top of the swing through the release zone with no interference from your arm or shoulder muscles.

  If the ball fits properly, the gravity will take it off your hand at the right time providing your body is in the proper position. Any rotation on the ball should come from your hand only, not your arm.

  Using the proper technique will allow you to get as much rotation on the ball as desired.

  Note, however, if your ball does not fit properly, it will require excessive grip pressure to hold on to which will make the release harder to execute.

  Gravity can be your best friend or worst enemy depending on how you use it.

  Mike Luongo is a certified IBPSIA Pro Shop Operator, Master Instructor, YSBC Silver Level Coach and an Advisor-Special Events assistant with the Storm and Roto Grip Bowling Ball Company. Have a question, call him at 435-720-7939 or email at mikel@stormbowling.com 

Ed's Outlook

  Over the many years we have been writing  this column we had many discussions with bowling lane owners-managers about the topic of why they there was no high school level bowling teams in Sullivan County.

  Some said schools were not interested and another excuse we heard was no one would step up to coach the teams.

  Sad to say that our county schools can't measure up to small schools districts like Hancock, Deposit and Afton in Delaware County who support high school bowling, but,  a stunning factor was learned last week why there is no high school bowling teams in Sullivan County and that reason if school districts here have never been asked to support this sport.

  Wow....... never been asked and it really would not be a major expensive sport to support....maybe we should ask?

  Ed Townsend is a PR  consultant to the sport of bowling. If you have league scores, tournament information, score a 300 game or 800 series or even if you bowl your age, let Ed know at 845-439-8177, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com, or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook.

Local Scores

(compiled by Ed Townsend)

Beechwood Lanes

Monday Ladies

  Diane Staves 162, Diane Conroy 173, Lori Kimmes 161, Tracey Puerschner 167, 154, Janet Bertholf 157, Pat Wayne 183.

Callicoon Kristal Bowl

Monday Hortonville Ladies

  Sue Naughton 163, Lillian Zieres 187, 166, 163, 516, Virginia Connel 150, 153, Debbie Loughrey 151, Mardette Wilcox 170. Joann Bowers 190, Charlene Meola 158.

Tuesday Delaware Valley Mens

  Alan Rutledge 208, 214, 593, Kory Keesler 199, Bruce Rutledge 185, Rob Bivins 181, 200, 551, Ed Leroy 232, Brian Marino 184, Mark Scriber 190, 238, 591, Jeff Neidert 183, Brian Starr 195, Eugene Fulton 180, Matt Fulton 193, 191, Mike Sorge 188, Wally Warren 183, Tom Bisig 190, 195, Steve Lagota 236, 568, Bill Meyer 180, Matt Hubert 189, Bob Cady 198, Dean Shattuck 182, 184, Russell Lyons 181, Joe Gager 200, 225, 205, 630, Damien VanLeuven 193. Don Hill 184, Roger Widman 191, 201. 

Fox Bowling Center

Tuesday Ladies Early Birds

  Linda Ferris 187, 516. 

Wed. Men's Independent

  Zach Benson 256, 685, Andy Boice 616, Mike Bowker 277, 245, 732, Andrew Bullis 247, 225, 678, Frank Couse Sr. 621, Jim Dibble 607, Brian Drumm 267, 694, Bill Gleim 252, 680, Jack Hazen 244, 635, Rob Johnson 258, 679, Josh Milucky 226, 666, Mitche Persbacker 237, 229, 647, Rob Rynearson 228, Tim Smith 239, 647, Zuke Wormuth 621.

Thurs. Men's Deposit National

  Rob Bolster 246, Al Bullis Jr. 257, 658, Craig Conklin 226, Ray Cornwell 252, 654, Jeff Curtis 620, Carl Davis 277, 628, Lenn Davis 231, 630, Norm Ellis Jr. 226, 619, Paul Ignatovich 246, 241, 709, Scott Jensen 618, Dave Lester 228, 642.

 Friday Couples

  Howard Couse Sr. 248, 225, 687, Frank Couse Sr. 233, 237, 235, 705, Dan Koch 225, Dave Lester 604, Dana McGraw 224, 532, Rick Mills 226, Walt Oralls 248, 623, Jen  Smith 189, 506, Tim Smith 269, 623, Tammy Stanton 192, Vicki Tiffany 183, Mike Wagner 616, Sandy Winans 202, 226, 607, Dan Wormuth 247, 654, Jeremy Wormuth 225, 650, Michele Wormuth 197. 

Sat. Morning Youth

  Bantam league Brenna Gleim 137, 111, Thomas Schoonmaker 112, Junior league Trisha McElroy 191, Cassandra Schoonmaker 150, 146, Kristyanna Capel 197, 147.

Sunday Mixed Fun

  Ray Cornwell 238, 624, Reva Jones 206, 205, 580, Donnie Marino 279, 246, 749, Dustin Mills (Bantam boys) 141, 128, 146, Jean Mills 503, Samantha Mills (youth girls) 150, Savanna Mills (youth girls) 133, 129, 151, 413.

Kiamesha Lanes

Monday Men's

  Eddie Lake 276, 228, 279, 783, Rick Lake 258, 248, 226, 732, Shane Conner 257, 665, Mike Weiner 225, Jaryl Scott 230, 623, Vinnie Collura 247, 245, 711, Donald Durland 237, 237, 233, 707, John Hoffmann 234, 257, 881, Tom Belgiovene 245, 279, 724, Jon Wilhelm 236, 265, 268, 769, Ronnie Totten 279, 691, Robbie Nicholson 229, Justin Lopez 617, Keith Smith 269, 269, 762, Pedro Agapito 278, 691, Matt Fallon 279, 608, Serafin Rodriguez 255, 601, John Fischer 258, 603, Michael Amore 651, Al Caycho 225, 620, Jason Budd 236, 660, Bret Budd 256, 685, Dan Van Aken 234, Josh Strang 268, 653, Tom Palmer 259, 662.

Tuesday Mixed Firefighters

  Debra Blackford 224, 549, Joan Lake 180, 205, 544, Mary Lee Williams 202, 538, Carena Collura 194, 505, Leanne Mangabang 192, Karen Martin 212, Christine Graham 180, Russ Keesler 238, 265, 687, Kyle Stevens 233, 226, 683, Rick Lake 235, 259, 678, Paul Minton 247, 674, Stan Gilmore 234, 662, Laresko Niifa 246, 657, Shane Cunningham 241, 632, Ed Guthrie 255, 631, Robert Yakin Jr. 236, 619, Eddie Blume 235, 616, Walt Edwards Jr. 233, Cecil Walters 226.

Wednesday Men's

  Chris Parken 257, 613, Kyle Matthews 256, 609, Kevin Stackhouse 258, 245, 707, Ronnie Totten 237, 672, David Sewall 226, 629, Jason Rogers 267, 279, 733, Shane Cunningham 226, 603, Serafin Rodriguez 235, Frank Emmens 229, 639, Pete Meachum 266, 687, Steve Rivera 246, Carlos Torres 243, 619, Robert Stewart 235, 628, Jason Jones 269, 659, Paul Minton 611, Dwayne Cabrera 237, 633, Shane Conner 607, Kyle Stevens 255, 259, 729, Donald Durland 237, 225, 660, Rudy Belanchia 245, 235, 225, 706, Timmy Minton 609, Frank Eichenlaub III a 653, Pedro Agapito 245, 246, 706, Tom Belgiovene 267, 247, 688, John Hoffmann 225, 647, Keith Smith 225, Gene Smith 246, 610, Billy Curry 233, Jaryl Scott 265, 278, 752, Josh Strang 605, Tim McIntyre 249, Dan Van Aken 255, 226, 683.

Thursday Ladies

  T. Smith 214, Denise Collins 199, 210, Shirley Bowens 198, Tracey Barres 192, Liz Stubits 181, T. Tuttle 220, Joan Lake 195, Lisa Cartwright 180, Audrey Woolard 182, 190, 220, 592, Connie McKenley 196, Debbie Durland 217.

Friday Mixed

  Orshii Boldiis 244, David Graham 227, 239, 659, Eddie Lake 247, 257, 236, 740, Kevin Stackhouse 637, Kyle Stevens 255, 234, 679, Josh Strang 623, Michael Travis 606, Lawrence Whipple 236, 605, Jon Wilhelm 236, 639, Trasey Barres 180, Cathy Carpenter 198, Mary Ann Drobysh-Berens 192, 192, 549, Sara Durland 201, 191, 540, Nancy Greene 189, Joan Lake 190, 194, 526, Antionette Rau 203, 244, 599, Linda Schaefer 181, 524, Christina Seidler 183, Tammy Sze 192, 540.