Bowling Highlights Column 2-8-13

                 

Jon Wilhelm 300 Game & 848 Series   

  The second career 300 game for 32-year-old Liberty bowler Jon Wilhelm also helped him achieve an outstanding 848 series in the February 1 Friday Mixed league at Kiamesha Lanes.

  His single games of 269, 279 and 300 were bowled on lanes 13-14 using a 15-pound Storm Tropical Breeze bowling ball.

  In the 300 game Jon noted "every  shot was flush in the pocket with the 12th ball probably being the most confident ball I have ever rolled with."

  In bowling the 848 series Wilhelm said, "only one shot was a light hit as I left a 2-8 spare in frame two of game one."   

  The Friday night team Jon bowls on is JJ's Buddy's and include Sara Durland, Mary Wilhelm and Craig Wilhelm. 

  Lanes 13 & 14 produced Jon's first 300 game on November 28, 2012 when he was subbing on the Dutch's team in the Wednesday Men's league also at Kiamesha Lanes.   

    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  Brooklyn Nets and Manchester United soccer. 

    Jon said that in addition to bowling he is also a huge fan of Alternative and Metal music. His favorite player on the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) tour is Jason Belmonte and they have talked with each other on twitter and in a twitter about Jon's recent 300 and 848 Belmonte commented "congrats mate...awesome bowling." PBA bowlers who have influenced Wilhelm include Robert Smith, Tommy Jones and Pete Weber. 

   Wilhelm acknowledged he intends to bowl in PBA regionals  this season and that, "I am seriously considering bowling in the U.S, Open in Columbus, Ohio in July."

  "I was very proud that my family was around to see this 300 as they missed out on the first one," Jon said.

    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 and lives with his 11-year old son.
.  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

  Two additional 300 games have recently been bowled at Kiamesha Lanes and they include a perfect game on January 7 by Jason Budd on the Quality Sealcoat team in the Monday Men's league. Jason scores for that night included single games of 253, 226, 300 for a 770 series. He maintains a 217 average in that league.

  The second 300 was bowled on January 21 by Frank Eichenlaub III on the Monday night Keller Williams team. A 236 average bowler his individual games that night included a 300, 195, 210 for a 705 series. 

  Both players have been given a 300 personal information score sheet and a request to return the sheet  and a photo but none have been returned to us as of this date. 

  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 bowl your age let Ed know at 845-439-8177, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. Read 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)

Beechwood Lanes

Monday Ladies

  Diane Staves 190, Lori Kimmes 155, Lois Erdman 155, Amanda Irwin 171, 155, 158, Janet Bertholf 157, Jackie Gieger 157, 161, 169, Jody Gulley 151.

Callicoon Kristal Bowl

Monday Hortonville Ladies

  Sue Naughton 157, Kelly Gombita 163, Lillian Zieres 191, 153, 179, 523, Opal Hocker 151, Jane Benson 158, Pat Peters 166, Rebecca Rhodes 185, 164, Joyce Brooks 150, 150, 153, Eleanor Glassel 156, Debbie Loughrey 156, 201, 500, Deedee Schrader 162, Barbara Pingel 153, Kim Doty 155, Mardette Wilcox 184, 210, 181, 575, Phyllis Grillo 158, Nicole Rossomando 160, Darlene Mantzourat 152, 171, Charlene Meola 155, 167, 163, Sandy Cassevah 155. 

Tues. Delaware Valley Men's

  Bob Cady 207, Dean Shattuck 227, 190, Bob Head 188, Russell Lyons 211, Rick Weigelt 186, 180, Joe Gager 185, Mark Hawley 180, Kory Keesler 193, 205, Bruce Rutledge 222, 206, 221, 649, Tad Dosher 191, Kurt Buddenhagen 201, Rob Bivins 191, Mark Goda 181, Ed Leroy 194, 222, Kris Rasmussen 181, Dick Pomes 188, Gary Maas 204, Brian Starr 219, Matt Fulton 184, Mike Gieger 188, 213, 194, Steve Ross 209, Tom Bisig 184, 201, Jackie Brockner 199, Troy Parucki 200, Henry Kubenik 180, Matt Hubert 180. 

Fox Bowling Center

Tues. Ladies Early Birds

  Linda Ferris 192. 

Wed. Men's Independent 

  Mike Bowker 233, 612, Al Bullis Sr. 266, 610, Andrew Bullis 629, Brandon Drumm 265, 660, John Gurnick 267, 643, Jack Hazen 234, Steve Jacobi 225, Rob Johnson 638, Scott Lacy 230, Zuke Wormuth 225, 226, 225, 676, Jeremy Wormuth 249, 666, Jay Wormuth 243, 639.

Thurs. Men's Deposit National

  Al Bullis Jr. 605, Dale Conklin 621, Ray Cornwell 617, Jeff Curtis 233, 618, Bill Gleim 234, 244, 679, Paul Ignatovich 630, Dave Lester 245, 654, Mike Robinson 248.

Friday Couples

  Al Bullis 232, Andy Bullis 246, 650, Carl Davis 255, 615, Shane Dirig 226, Linda Ferris 184, 526, Greg Keesler 279, 629, Lisa Koch 181, Julie Martin 182, Dana McGraw 192, 198, 214, 604, Mark McGraw 232, Rick Mills 244, 649, Jen Smith 193, 202, 546, Mike Wagner 245, Dan Wormuth 246, 642.

Sat. Morning Youth

  Junior league, Kristy Capel 211, 168, 527, Trisha McElroy 158, Katrina Lester 175, 181, Bantam league, Brenna Gleim 148, 171. 

Sunday Mixed Fun

  Julie Cornwell 186, Ray Cornwell 245, 650, Reva Jones 192, 520, Donnie Marino 236, 641, Dave Mills 276, 225, 246, 746, Samantha Mills (youth girls) 175, 128, 134, 437, Savanna Mills (youth girls) 164, 148, 167, 479.

Kiamesha Lanes

Monday Men's

  Dave Graham 236, 299, 717, Willie Bartley 243, Michael Amore 238, 664, Bobby Cooper 236, Jim Van Aken 232, 256, 234, 722, Josh Strang 645, Tom Palmer 259, 666, Eddie Lake 608, Rick Lake 233, 258, 236, 727, Mike Weiner 248, 234, 695, Mike Mulligan 623, Shane Conner 268, 236, 687, Jaryl Scott 253, 229, 692, Paul Durland 258, 656, Vinnie Collura 269, 252, 726, Donald Durland 237, 225, 650, Walt Edwards 246, 657, Larry Berens 248, 242, 710, Rudy Belanchia 635, Frank Eichenlaub III a 258, 258, 727, Jon Wilhelm 246, 680, Ronnie Totten 233, 266, 715, Kevin Stackhouse 268, 685, Cory Van Keuren 266, 623, Michael Scuderi 611, Juan Lopez 234, 651, Justin Lopez 611, Billy Curry 636, Gene Smith 258, 675, Craig Wilhelm 269, 673, Eddie Walsh 246, 637, Pedro Agapito 256, 245, 677.

Tues. Mixed Firefighters

  Kyle Stevens 226, 256, 697, Eddie Walsh 244, 669, Ryan Lepke 237, 242, 665, Paul  Minton 247, 657, George Kelley 246, 653, Russ Keesler 235, 644, Ed Guthrie 235, 239, 644, Robert Nicholson 226, 232, 619, Walt Edwards Jr. 227, 605, Robert Yakin Jr. 238, Jack Rustic 225, Laresko Niifa 232, Trasey Barres 193, 215, 587, Karen Martin 211, 195, 564, Cara Nicholson 233, 551, Mary Lee Williams 202, 548, Joan Lake 208, 529, Carena Collura 182, Andrea Grossman 182, Barbara Rustic 201.

Wednesday Men's

  Bobby Cooper 247, 230, 671, Eddie Lake 245, 606, Kyle Stevens 257, 619, Shane Conner 628, Dan Ricco 643, Tom Mitchell 228, 621, David Garlinghouse 225, 234, 238, 697, James Van Aken 229, 648, Tim McIntyre 236, 607, Josh Strang 264, 236, 678, Keith Smith 243, 280, 247, 770, Jon Wilhelm 246, 244, 675, Pedro Agapito 234, 665, Dennis Matthews 609, Kyle Matthews 233, 643, Kevin Stackhouse 627, Ronnie Totten 226, 246, 655, Shane Cunningham 225, 247, 661, David Sawall 619, Jason Rogers 635, Mikey Travis 227, Jo Jo Van Keuren 264, 243, 706, Serafin Rodriguez 616, Tim Bilyeu 247, 658, Donald Durland 267, 276, 754, Paul Durland 240, 648, Eddie Walsh 225, 259, 678, Paul Minton 232, 615, Eddie Blume 602, Jason Jones 227, 609.

Thursday Ladies

  A nice 651 series by Debbie Durland off single games of 237, 192, 222. Trasey Barres 229, 193, Monica Lane 214, Crista Sweeney 223, Tabatha Smith 181, 222, Valerie Fersch 191, Ann Sawyer 194, 184, Sonya Robinson 203, Mary Jane Conklin 193, Joan Lake 207, Joan Fredenburg 200, Stella Schmahl 182, Tina Tuttle 181, Barbara Merton 213, 202, Mary Chicko 182, Karen Borowski 191, 212, Pat Gibson 190, 224.

Friday Mixed Doubles

  Trasey Barres 180, 220, 216, 616, Cathy Carpenter 190, 203, 559, Mary Ann Drobysh-Berens 220, 532, Kathy Fielding 186, Joan Lake 210, 532, Laura Palmer 196, 537, Antionette Rau 236, 190, 597, Tammy Sze 222, 185, 579, Patricia Whipple 198, Carolyn Williams 194, 213, 580, Paul Berens 225, 603, Victor Decker 259, 638, Frank Emmens 623, David Graham 226, 248, 264, 738, Eddie Lake 240, 688, Ryan Lepke 229, 649, Tom Palmer 231, 225, 649, Frank Scuderi 233, 661, Robert Sze 604, Lawrence Whipple 246, 655, Jon Wilhelm 279, 646.

                                                                   -30-

PHOTO IS OF

                                     

Jon Wilhelm