Bowling Highlights Column 12-7-12

             

Three 300's In One League

  In a remarkable show of accuracy and pin-splitting action,  three Sullivan County bowlers, Jon Wilhelm, Keith Smith and Paul Minton smashed the record books November 26 in the Wednesday Men's League at Kiamesha Lanes when they all pounded the maples for perfect 300 games.

  Twenty-nine year-old Claryville bowler Keith Smith, bowling on lanes 5 & 6 and using a Roto Grip Defiant Edge bowling ball, recorded his first career 300 game in the first game of his three game match. 

  He finished the night with a 257, 233 for a 790 series. His previous high series score was a 792 and he had bowled several 299 single games at Liberty Lanes. 

  Keith has been bowling for some 15 years and also bowls in the Monday Men's league at Kiamesha Lanes. He maintains a 224 average Monday and a 217 average Wednesday. 

  "I pretty much hit the pocket in all 12 shots and a messenger took out the 10 pin on my 12th ball," Smith noted. 

  He also started out with six strikes in a row in the second game.

  Keith is an active firemen and trustee with  the Woodbourne Fire Department, plays softball in the Liberty Men's Slo-Pitch softball league, is single and is employed as a golf course  maintenance greens-keeper at Kutshers  Golf Course. 

  Thirty-seven year-old Liberty bowler Paul Minton is no stranger  to the 300 club as he recorded his 20th perfect game on lanes 11 & 12 using a Brunswick C System bowling ball in the second game of his three-game match. 

  "I actually felt I rolled better balls in my first game which resulted in a 191 score," Paul said.

He finished the night with a 223 for a 714 average. All the strikes in the 300 game were in the pocket with the fifth ball being a little light. 

  Minton also bowls in the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league at Kiamesha Lanes where he maintains a 235 average along with his 227 Wednesday average. 

  Paul estimated it's been about 5 to 6 years since he bowled his last 300 game.

  He started bowling at the age of 9 and bowled as a Professional Bowling Association (PBA) regional member from 1994 through 2000. Some 10 years ago he competed in several more PBA regional events. 

  Married to Valerie, they have two children, Samuel 7 and Benjamin 6.

  Minton is employed by the Liberty Central School District in the ESL Special Education program. 

  Lanes 13 & 14 produced the third 300 of the night as 32-year-old Liberty bowler Jon Wilhelm, subbing on the Dutch's team,  recorded his first career 300 using a Storm Tropical  Breeze bowling ball. The 300 came in the second game of the night and he finished with a 236, 193, 729 series.  

    Jon recorded his first 800 series (807) on  March 9th of this year. His 800 series came off of games of  259, 269  and 279.

    A two-league bowler, Jon takes his right-handed talents  to the lanes in the Monday Men's and Friday Mixed league, both at Kiamesha Lanes.

    Prior to the 807 his previous high series was a 788 and four times he has scored 289 single games. 

   Jon noted that he only uses Storm manufactured bowling products and all of his equipment is 15 pounds.

    An avid sports fan he loves the New York Mets, New York Rangers, New England Patriots and Brooklyn Nets.

    A 1998 graduate of Ellenville High School, he attended SUNY Ulster County Community College with a baseball scholarship and played baseball for Junior Team USA as a pitcher, center fielder and first baseman. 

    He previously bowled in Kingston, Ellenville and Walden but presently only bowls at Kiamesha Lanes. 

    Bowling since 2001, Jon has been a member of the  Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) since November of 2007, has bowled 15 plus PBA regional tournaments in the past four years and also bowled in the PBA U.S. Open at North Brunswick, NJ in 2008, 2009 and 2011. 

    "I've always wanted to go out on the PBA tour but I'm a family first person and the tour is really expensive without a sponsor and my job is to put food on my families table and nothing is guaranteed on the PBA tour so I bowl what I can and where I can," Wilhelm said. 

    He describes himself as a "two fingered bowler that's all about power and revolutions on the bowling ball."   

    Jon's average Monday night is 231, Friday night 222 and subbing in the Wednesday Men's league it is 223. He has been averaging 220 plus for the past three seasons at Kiamesha. 

    His 11-year-old son Johathan Jr. bowls in the Saturday morning youth leagues at Kiamesha and averages 160.

    Jon is a certified United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Level 1 coach and uses his bowling talents and coaching abilities to coach in the Jr./Major Youth leagues at Kiamesha. 

     His next goal in bowling is to become a staff member for the Storm bowling ball company as he only uses Storm-Roto Grip products. He looks towards a possible career with them so that "I can pursue my passion for coaching and teaching kids and passing my talents on." 

      Wilhelm is single with his 11-year old son and lives with his girlfriend Amy Bennett.  He is employed as  the Senior Analyst and Mets team Writing Manager at NYSportsnut.com, a site that covers all of New York professional sports franchises. He has written over 85 articles for the site since July of this year. He also works as a maintenance mechanic at The Galleria at Crystal Run Mall in Middletown.     

Ed's Outlook

  Wow.......great outstanding bowling by three Sullivan County bowlers, Paul Minton, Jon Wilhelm and Keith Smith.

  Three 300 games in one league on the same night.....that will go in the record book and won't be broken for many years to come. 

  Congratulations to all three.

  Ed Townsend is a PR consultant to the sport of bowling. If you have league scores, tournament information, bowl a 300 game or 800 series, or even 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. 

Bowling Tip

By Mike Luongo

  This week's tip is for all bowlers.

  Choosing the correct weight for a bowling ball is not rocket science although it is made out to be at times.

  A poorly fit ball (lane ball or hack job) will take excessive grip pressure to hold onto. This makes the ball seem too heavy. A good rule of thumb, when getting a custom fit ball, is to go up two pounds over wheat a poorly fit ball weighs.

  You will be surprised at how much lighter a properly fit ball will feel. When a ball is fit properly, minimal grip pressure is needed to hold the ball, allowing you to swing the ball without putting a death grip on it. This applies to both finger grip and conventional grips. Understand that gravity, not upper body muscles should control the swing.

  For youth bowlers, always err on the heavier side for several reasons. First, it is instinct to grab a ball and throw it, not roll it. If the ball is too light, it is hard to teach a youth bowler to use gravity as their friend and roll the ball. Second children are still growing and you may get an extra year out of the ball before the youth bowler outgrows the weight. If a youth bowler is switching from conventional to finger tip grip I would recommend going to heavy as you do not want to make it an unpleasant experience. The best recommendation would be to re-grip the old ball and get used to the grip before drilling a new ball. 

  Note: If a bowler, youth or adult is bowling to enjoy themselves, a conventional grip is best. If a bowler is interested in some form of competitive bowling in the future, the finger tip grip is the way to go. Remember......there is no substitute for a properly fit ball. Parents of youth bowlers, please have the fit checked at least every six months.

  Mike Luongo is a certified IBPSIA Pro Shop Operator, Master Instructor, USBC 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

Local Scores

(compiled by Ed Townsend)

Kiamesha Lanes

Monday Men's 

  Frank Eichenlaub III a 245, 279, 703, Matt Fallon 241, 231, 671, Pete Nastasi 605, Jody Farquhar 243, 624, Al Caycho 233, 652, Jason Budd 258, 279, 752, Brett Budd 268, 225, 717, Jim Van Aken 621, Tim McIntyre 269, 694, Josh Strang 269, 226, 697, Tom Palmer 267, 654, Eddie Lake 247, 236, 245, 728, Rick Lake 226, 288, 239, 753, Shane Conner 243, 659, Paul Durland 258, 645, Vinnie Collura 268, 269, 752, Don Durland 227, 246, 244, 717, Lloyd Bridges 627, Larry Berens 247, Tom Belgiovene 614, Jon Wilhelm 258, 245, 685, Cecil Walters 254, 635, Laresko Niffa 609, Ronnie Totten 227, 232, 656, John Freeman 245, 646, Vinnie Scuderi 225, Corey VanKeuren 258, 607, Frank Scuderi 253, 631, Jesse Lopez 231, Juan Lopez 236, 238, Keith Smith 278, 669, Kenny Atkins 231, 640, Pedro Agapito 244. 

 Tues. Mixed Firefighters

  Shane Cunningham 244, 254, 703, Kyle Van Wolde 245, 616, Cecil Walters 227, 235, 655, Laresko Niffa 234, 632, Kevin Stackhouse 605, Peter Scannell 245, Jason Jones 232, Walt Edwards Jr. 225, 641, Paul Minton 228, 258, 249, 735, Kyle Stevens 269, 268, 749, Cara Nicholson 184, 513, Carena Collura 185, 513, Mary Lee Williams 223, 202, 596, Joan Lake 210, 516, Ryan Lepke 235, 230, 225, 690, Rick Lake 267, 700, Robert Nicholson 242, 602, Peter Nastasi 256, 660, Joann Ruggiero188, Trasey Barres 232, 267, 667, Christie Graham 197, 537.

Wednesday Men's

  Kyle Stevens 227, 258, 692, David Graham 269, 243, 703, Tim McIntyre 227, Josh Strang 246, 266, 701, Jaryl Scott 226, 226, 673, Tom Belgiovene 232, 622, Pedro Agapito 239, 267, 245, 751, Frank Eichenlaub III a 246, 227, 655, Roy Sweeney 279, 258, 703, Timmy Minton 244, 225, 630, Chris Parken 248, 665, Kyle Matthews 614, Kevin Stackhouse 633, Ronnie Totten 615, Shane Cunningham 230, David Sawall 238, 642, Vinnie Degraw 231, 604, Jason Jones 233, 604, Jo Jo Van Keuren 225, 616, Serafin Rodriguez III a 225, 225, 630, Frank Emmens 606, Rick Lara 233, 226, 674, Tim Bilyeu 247, 635, Al Frangipone 288, 619, Pete Meachum 225, 621, Richard Bivins 623, Carlos Torres 225, 641, Jason Jones 279, 691, Dwayne Cabrera 226, 266, 708, Tom MItchell 612, David Garlinghouse 610, Shane Conner 244, 647, Merrill Conner 601. 

 Thursday Ladies

  Florence Good 192, Maureen Hopper 189, Karen Martin 185, 180, Bobbi Jo Bound 184, Tabatha Smith 182, 191, Cara Nicholson 182, Pat Gibson 194, Debbie Durland 225, 206, 192, 623, Trasey Barres 202, Barbara Geraine 185, Kathleen Heins 190, Sonya Robinson 188, Joan Lake 182, 181, Audrey Woolard 192, 181, Cindy Short 214, Valerie Fersch 229, 235, Liz Stubits 182, 211. 

 Friday Mixed

  Antionette Rau 214, 202, 220, 636, Trasey Barres 512, Cathy Carpenter 186, Meagan Courtney 225, Mary Ann Drobysh-Berens 199, Jillian Kuchar 201, Laura Palmer 184, Christina Seidler 195, 500, Tammy Sze 198, 188, 548, Carolyn J. Williams 209, 203, 578, Larry Berens 269, 659, Frank Emmens 237, 633, David Graham 226, 267, 234, 727, Matthew Jahn 235, 617, Ryan Lepke 628, Frank Scuderi 226, Josh Strang 234, Lawrence Whipple 226, 232, 650, Craig Wilhelm 243, 646, Jon Wilhelm 237, 279, 705, Leroy Williams 235, 258, 699.

 Fox Bowling Center

 Wed. Men's Independent

  Zach Benson 601, Audy Boice 609, Andrew Bullis 237, 238, 683, Jim Dibble 248, 646, Craig Gehrig 245, 684, Dylan Green 229, Jeremy Gulley 601, Steve Jacobi 225, 621, Rob Johnson 635, Donnie Marino 225, 258, 675, Cory Newman 256, 628, Mitch Persbacker 256, 649, Anthony Seely 229, 633, Jonathon Wayne 264, Zuke Wormuth 235, Jeremy Wormuth 239, 671, Jay Wormuth 238, 624.

 Thurs. Men's Deposit National

  Al Bullis Jr. 249, 630, Ray Cornwell 242, 633, Howard Couse Sr. 235, 638, Jeff Curtis 238, 650, Norm Ellis Jr. 248, Paul Ignatovich 237, Dave Lester 257, 233, 667, Mike Robinson 226, Andi Sedlock 243, 603.

Friday Mixed Couples

  Andy Bullis 258, 690, Jessica Bush 182, Howard Couse Sr. 236, Lenn Davis 255, Judy Ellis 188, Gino Jones 246, 606, Hope Jones 197, 515, Dave Lester 237, Dana McGraw 225, 193, 184, 602, Rick Mills 225, Sheri Oralls 193, 506, Walt Oralls 601, Sandy Winans 186, 193, 201, 580, Dan Wormuth 232, 673, Michelle Wormuth 199, 534.

 Sat. Morning Youth

  Junior league Rachel Hanstine 148, 145, 144, Ashley Hanstine 135, Kayla Smith 145, Katrina Lester 157, Bantam Brenna Gleim 189, 120, Bethany Brown 118, Thomas Schoonmaker 123.

Sunday Mixed Fun

  Ray Cornwell 230, 623, Marty Haeussler 256, 633, Donnie Marino 237, 654, Dave Mills 624, Jean Mills 189, Rick Mills 226, 651, Savanna Mills (youth girls) 144, 129, 150, 423, Parker Tiffany (Bantam boys) 127, 106. 

Callicoon Kristal Bowl

Mon. Hortonville Ladies

  Sue Naughton 199, Kelly Gombita 156, Lillian Zieres 152, Jane Benson 170, 163, Rebecca Rhodes 154, Virginia Connel 178, Maureen Schlott 159, Joyce Brooks 151, Debbie Loughrey 159, Deedee Schrader 153, Barbara Pingel 156, Judy Mohn 156, 182, 160, Mardette Wilcox 154, 177, 151, Chrissy Schiff 180, Kim Niemann 154, Tara Dunn 151, Nicole Rossomando 170, 156, Darlene Mantzouratos 171, 165.

Tues. Delaware Valley Men's

  Gary Erlwein 216, John Fisher 202, Brian Scott 196, Rich Winters 216, Joe Gager 214, 202, 278, 694, Rick Weigelt 199, Bob Head 203, Dean Shattuck 191, Bob Cady 198, 237, Alan Rutledge 186, Kory Keesler 182, 188, Bruce Rutledge 184, Mark Hawley 221, 223, Chris Marston 180, Rob Bivins 189, 191, 195, Ed Leroy 190, 200, Gary Maas 224, Brian Starr 185, Eugene Fulton 199, Matt Fulton 186, Jim Kautz 192, Mike Sorge 210, Steve Ross 183, 196.

PHOTOS OF THE 300 BOWLERS    

                                                                                                                    

                                             

                                                                          

1. KEITH SMITH

2. JON WILHELM

3. PAUL MINTON