Collinsville wins IHSA Girls State Title

Congratulations to the Collinsville Kahoks girls bowling team, winner of the 2010 IHSA Girls state title.

They set the state record for biggest score and were led by senior Frannie Steiner, who averaged nearly 230 for the two-day event at Rockford's Cherry Bowl.


The photo of Steiner is courtesy of the Chicago Tribune. Steve Korte's story in the Belleville News Democrat provides the details.

Kahoks roll their way to state crown

Collinsville's Steiner claims individual championship

BY STEVE KORTE - News-Democrat

 

Led by senior Frannie Steiner, the Collinsville Kahoks claimed the championship of the IHSA girls state bowling tournament Saturday at Cherry Bowl Lanes in Rockford.

Steiner led all bowlers in the state by averaging 229.7 pins per game over the two-day tournament. As a team, the Kahoks, who placed third at state last year, totaled a state tournament-record 12,450 pins, also a record average of 207.5 pins per game.

The previous highest pin count in the girls state bowling tournament was 12,267 by Lockport when it took the 2009 title.

"I've been coaching 10 years, and every year, this is the ultimate goal," Collinsville coach Sean Hay said in a telephone interview. "You work all year long to try to be the best in the state. We've had talent in the past, but this group put it all together at the right time and in the right tournament, and they did exactly what they were supposed to do."
Steiner knocked down 2,756 pins, 27 more than Schaumburg's Jodi Gawlik.
Steiner bowled three-game series of 645 and 665 on Saturday after rolling three-game series' of 717 and 729 on Friday.

In her 12th and final game, she rolled a 247 compared to 230 for Gawlik.
The left-handed Steiner said she had no idea that she was leading all the bowlers in the tournament.

"I didn't know," said Steiner, who was bowling anchor for the Kahoks. "After I threw the last ball, I turned around and everybody was crying and freaking out. I was like, 'OK, we got first place.' Somebody said, 'We won first place, and you won first place as an individual.' I was like, 'You're kidding.'"

Steiner credited the support of her teammates for helping her stay so consistent throughout the tournament.
"My team being behind me was the biggest thing," Steiner said. "If you get down after a few bad shots, they always pick you up. My team was behind me, and that really helped."

The Kahoks had three bowlers place in the Top 31 of the tournament.

Senior Katie Beauchamp was 19th with 2,519 pins, an average of 209.9 per game, while senior Sara Bell was 31st with 2,442 pins, an average of 203.5 per game. Senior Lisa Graham had a pin total of 2,216, averaging 201.5 per game for her 11 games.

Seniors Brittany Warner and Liz Hoffman, junior Elizabeth Beauchamp and freshman Amber Burns also contributed to the championship effort as the Kahoks utilized all eight of their bowlers.

"Usually if you have to sub somebody out, you're in trouble, but we used everybody," Hay said. "I think that kind of defines our team all year long. Everybody took a turn.

"It could be a curse when somebody could be a starter somewhere else, but they're on the bench for you. That curse turns into a blessing when everybody has the right team attitude."

Rockford Jefferson placed second with 12,316 pins for an average of 205.3 pins per game.

The Cahokia Comanches placed 10th with a total of 11,529 pins for an average of 192.2 per game.
Senior Tara Gamblin was the top bowler for the Comanches. Her two-day total of 2,574 pins (214.5 average) was good for 14th place. Senior Seannell Chambers chipped in 2,430 pins for the Comanches, ranking her 35th.

O'Fallon's Natalie Goodman was the next highest individual finisher from the metro-east to Steiner. The junior placed eighth with 2,645 pins, an average of 220.4 pins.

Senior Mackenzie Biegler from Belleville West was 21st with 2,505 pins, an average of 208.8 per game.

Contact Steve Korte at skorte@bnd.com or 239-2522.

Weber, Carter Advance in USBC Masters

The USBC Masters in Reno is now in the match play rounds and Pete Weber, seeded 9th and 26th seed Jeff Carter of Springfield (Il.) also advanced by winning their first two rounds.

There will be a new Masters champ in 2010. Last year's winner John Nolen is out after losing yesterday to Chris Barnes and John May.

Want to watch the rounds free on your computer? You can see the Masters live via the PBA Xtra Frame service at http://www.pba.com/.

Here are the up-to-date results as of 7:30 a.m. (CST) Friday in the double-elimination round. And if you want to talk about it, do it at the Bowling Hood Forum

OPENING MATCH PLAY ROUND
(Winners remain in winners bracket. Losers move to losers bracket)

(1) Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, def. (61) Tim Mack, Indianapolis, 673-573
(33) Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., def. (29) Ritchie Allen, Columbia, S.C., 697-636
(45) Rhino Page, Dade City, Fla., def. (17) Michael Haugen Jr., Carefree, Ariz., 643-642
(13) Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., def. (49) John Janawicz, Winter Haven, Fla., 695-684
(41) Jonathan Van Hees, Charlestown, R.I., def. (21) Mike Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y., 588-586
(9) Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., def. (53) Ryan Abel, Bel Aire, Kan., 596-594
(25) Bill O'Neill, Southampton, Pa., def. (37) Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 614-595
(5) Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., def. (57) Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 729-695
(3) Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., def. (63) Paul Bober, Morton Grove, Ill., 634-631
(35) Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., def. (31) Dan MacLelland, Saginaw, Mich., 684-501
(19) Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., def. (47) Ronnie Horton, Christiansburg, Va., 717-661
(15) Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., def. (51) John May, Lincolnton, N.C., 688-594
(43) Kimmo Lehtonen, Finland, def. (23) Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 662-619
(11) Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, def. (55) Daniel Miyamoto, Mililani, Hawaii, 702-652
(27) Andrew Cain, Phoenix, def. (39) Steve Harman, Indianapolis, 703-639
(59) Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., def. (7) Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 679-654
(2) Jason Belmonte, Australia, def. (62) Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore., 658-580
(30) Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, def. (34) Eddie VanDaniker Jr., Essex, Md., 636-611
(18) Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., def. (46) Bob Aleksinski, Hillsboro, Ore., 700-582
(14) Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., def. (50) PJ Haggerty, Clovis, Calif., 695-575
(42) Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y., def. (22) Andres Gomez, Colombia, 617-532
(54) Erik Vermilyea, Mansfield, Texas, def. (10) Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 648-575
(26) Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., def. (38) Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan., 617-564
(58) Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., def. (6) Vinny D'Ambrosio III, Staten Island, N.Y., 647-645
(4) Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, def. (64) Jon Brandon, Santa Clarita, Calif., 634-552
(32) John Nolen, Grand Blanc, Mich., def. (36) Derek Eoff, Arlington, Texas, 668-662
(48) Scott Newell, Deland, Fla., def. (20) Andrew Frawley, Australia, 588-532
(52) Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., def. (16) Andrew Loose, Chicago, 633-558
(24) Mike DeVaney, San Diego, def. (44) David Langer, Brooklyn Park, Minn., 652-546
(56) Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., def. (12) Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 678-670
(28) Dave Wodka, Chatsworth, Calif., def. (40) Dan Bock, Albert Lea, Minn., 666-661
(8) Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, def. (60) Matthew O'Grady, South Amboy, N.J., 685-545

ROUND 1 WINNERS BRACKET

Loschetter def. Reyes, 705-638
Steelsmith def. Page, 716-688
Weber def. Van Hees, 746-648
O'Neill def. Shafer, 646-616

Smallwood def. P. Allen, 609-591
Williams Jr. def. McCune, 680-630
Scroggins def. Lehtonen, 556-543
Bohn III def. Cain, 699-622

Belmonte def. Monacelli, 671-610
Ciccone def. Jurek, 602-570
Ciminelli def. Vermilyea, 696-672
Carter def. Edwards, 683-608

Barnes def. Nolen, 696-642
Boresch Jr. def. Newell, 577-566
Kent def. DeVaney, 625-578
Malott def. Wodka, 708-593

ROUND 1 LOSERS BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $1,600)

Bock def. Mack, 617-507
R. Allen def. O'Grady, 682-633
Haugen Jr. def. Langer, 644-643
Koivuniemi def. Janawicz, 656-587

Fagan def. Frawley, 701-592
Abel def. Loose, 659-627
Brandon def. LeClair, 652-604
Angelo def. Eoff, 671-603

Waliczek def. Bober, 594-586
MacLelland def. D'Ambrosio III, 647-610
Gomez def. Horton, 581-545
May def. Castillo, 593-588

Voss def. Aleksinski, 598-542
Haggerty def. Miyamoto, 626-555
Harman def. Warren, 604-580
Jones def. VanDaniker Jr., 632-586
ROUND 2 LOSERS BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $1,900)

Bock def. Cain, 601-593
R. Allen def. McCune, 694-647
Haugen Jr. def. Lehtonen, 667-666
P. Allen def. Koivuniemi, 721-636

Van Hees def. Fagan, 603-569
Reyes def. Abel, 759-544
Shafer def. Brandon, 595-572
Angelo def. Page, 646-632

Wodka def. Waliczek, 671-654
Newell def. MacLelland, 588-561
Gomez def. DeVaney, 733-729
May def. Nolen, 699-595

Vermilyea def. Voss, 621-597
Haggerty def. Monacelli, 592-580
Edwards def. Harman, 687-655
Jurek def. Jones, 697-624

SimonSez: Kulick Fallout?

Could Kelly Kulick’s win at the PBA Tournament of Champions actually hurt the chance for a pro women’s tour?

It’s obvious her win was a shot in the arm for bowling in general. But there have been skeptics. We’ve already documented David Whitley’s vile and ignorant column in Fanhouse. But there are some bigwigs in the bowling industry who say Kulick’s win may actually kill the chance for a full time professional women’s bowling tour.

A source at the USBC who wished to remain anonymous was pleased about the event but had a bit of pessimism.

I agree that Kelly's skill and Tom's publicity ability have hit a home run for bowling. If there is a negative side at all it is only that this may serve as evidence that there is no need for a women's only tour or any other gender based bowling venue. I am not sure we are ready for that but maybe putting all eggs in one basket is all the industry can afford to support right now. Maybe it will even prove to be true in the long run.

A good friend of Bowling Hood and the sport, a man who has owned and runs a business that grosses more than the PBA in a year, also was skeptical.

One fact may come back to haunt the PBA. The fact that a woman beat one of the best bowlers of all time (or so they say) it may hurt the sport in a negative way! Never know huh?

Kulick’s win does not have any real impact right now. What has to happen is for her and other female bowlers to make PBA telecasts on a regular basis. Consistency drives the stake of memory into people’s minds. If that doesn’t happen, Kulick’s win will be a blip on the bowling and PBA history screen.

Register and discuss here.

And if you didn’t have enough Kelly Kulick in your life, here’s a blast from the past – her appearance in the 1998 College Women’s Championship. St. Louisans note – the announcers are Jay Randolph and Bo Burton – even that rare combo is worth the view!

Spare Time for Striking Thoughts

The February issue of The Bowling News will be out shortly in your favorite St. Louis area bowling center and pro shop.

Below is editor Craig Mathew's column that would have appeared in his January edition:


Spare Time For Striking Thoughts

By Craig Mathews, Sr

In watching all the news media hype about Tiger Woods, it really makes me sick.

Not because of what he did, but because of the feeding frenzy of the media and the public.

One person said it is because he is black. And I said that was a bunch of bull because Magic Johnson's life-style makes Tiger Woods look like a piker and there wasn't a feeding frenzy about his being HIV positive.

Everybody is acting like Woods is the first and only public figure to get caught having affairs.

Does anybody else remember Bill "Slick Willie" Clinton and his affairs?

I don't know if any pro bowlers, male or female, have had affairs while on the road, but it would not surprise me. Why? Because they are human!

The problem is not with his indiscretions. The problem is with the general public thinking that public figures are some sort of God-like creature and they should be revered or even worshiped because they are better than the rest of us "low lifes". BULL!

They are people, all with their own opinions and with all the other human failings.

Did Tiger's home life make an affair a viable option?.

Did she complain constantly about every little thing he did? Or what he failed to do?

Was her previous life-style a stumbling block? If you didn't know, she did some nude modeling and, being European, with the European mores, has she talked about that phase of her life and made comparisons?

I don't know and I don't much care either, but that could have been the cause in his actions.

Was Tiger wrong for what he did? Yes, but without knowing all the details, I'm not going to condemn him. That's between him and his deity . And whether he's represents a product or not has no bearing on me buying it either.

People need to stop needing to know all the dirt that is going on in other people's lives. Maybe people do this to make themselves feel better about their own life.

The tabloids and tabloid TV exploit the failings of others because of the need of the general public to know the dirt.

If the general public would stop wanting the "dirt", TMZ and other exploiters of this attitude would go away.

Just think, if there was no market for the dirt, then Princess Diana might still be alive.

Everyone of us have done things that we may be less than proud of and that would be embarrassing if generally known. Would you like your private life secrets plastered all over the evening news?

Do yourself and your country a favor, stop buying into the negative journalistic hogwash. You really don't need to know how bad things are for someone else, just to make yourself feel better.

Do you?

THE BOWLING NEWS - The Hall of Fame

The Bowling News did not publish in January but its February issue will be available shortly in your favorite St. Louis area bowling center.

Editor Craig Mathews has forward to Bowling Hood his column regarding Hall of Fame issues:

By Craig Mathews, Sr

The purpose of any state Sports Hall of Fame is to recognize the top performing members of all sports whether that performance is on or off their sport's playing field and to be the premier showcase for these outstanding sports figures.

What is surprising is the number of people that are over looked by the state Hall of Fame's induction committees. This failing is not the committees fault as it is an inherent flaw in the induction system. They cannot know everybody that deserves the recognition, so they only choose those people that are most well-known. And this creates unfair comparisons between possible members and the more outstanding members.

As example, Babe Ruth is my undisputed best baseball player of all time. He was a 20game winning pitcher and, if you add that fact to his batting stats, you can understand my claim. If your system promotes comparisons, who could compete against these stats?

Induction into a Hall of Fame should not be a popularity contest , but each prospective candidate should be looked at for what they have accomplished and then accepted or denied.

Because the state Sports Hall of Fame committee cannot know everyone that is deserving, they should rely on the state organization of each sport they recognize.

If the individual sport's state organization inducts a member to their Hall of Fame, the inductee should automatically be included in the rolls of the state's Hall of Fame.

This system would do justice to all the deserving members of Halls of Fame that do not have the notoriety of other well-know members.

And would recognized and acknowledge the importance of the individual sports board members that do the inducting of their sports Hall of Famers.

If a state's Sports Hall of Fame committee desires the pomp and circumstance of an induction dinner, then invite all existing members to attend, at their own expense, to hear of their inclusion; invite the newest inductees, also at their own expense, to be recognized as the current year's induction class. And there is no need for individual speeches by any of the inductees.

As far as plaques for all included members and for the current year's inductees, the included members would buy their own plaques and the current ones would get them given to them.

And the cost to all the included members would not be that great because of the number of plaques that would be needed. However, even if the cost was $50 per plaque, I believe there would be no argument because of the honor of what the plaque would signify.

The system needs to be changed so those people that are deserving get the recognition that they have earned.