It was an interesting conversation found on the Lima Area Bowlers Facebook page. The conversation involved who the masses felt would be standing by the time the final eight spots had been earned into today’s round of the Lima City Singles. This article is sent to the press well prior to round three of qualifying on Saturday evening, so like most I am totally clueless at this point, especially as it relates to the men’s side of the bracket.
What is significantly more interesting is the jousting of some very strong bowlers on social media. This sport is very much alive.
What may be even more interesting is one of the metrics that the group arrived at. There was a playful notion by one of the best David Miller virtually daring me to headline it “Young Guns vs. Seniors.”
The problem was as I went through the 32 remaining bowlers on the list I struggled with finding the seniors that they may have been referring to. Okay Bob Edwards … by the way happy birthday … but is David planning an attack on one of our more revered bowlers in the community. I would hope not – other than maybe to rush him after he wins the title.
It is clear that I will not even begin to approach the concept of age with the ladies but it is even more difficult with the men.
Maybe this column could have / should have read Veterans vs. Relative Rookies. I mean what is a senior? When you perform at this level age is so incredibly irrelevant. I told them the only senior in this conversation was me, they are all younger to quite a bit younger than I.
I was also confused by the phrase young gun which I have used a great deal over the years. William Kleffner, Dominique Cruz, Chandler Stevens, Justin Starn, Anthony Kennard certainly fit into that category but when did David and Brent Miller and Brian Sharp fall out of that group … help me David help me, I am so confused.
When you get to 20th this afternoon you will have the opportunity to watch more exciting bowling than what you might hope to see on ESPN today. While you will not see Belmonte or E.J. Tackett, the chances are good you will actually get to watch somebody you know and not merely idolize.
The current top eight are Thomas Dalton, Jason Mahlie, Chandler Stevens, Daniel Ruck, Brian Sharp, Nick Zackariah, David Miller and Rick
Courtney. Of those eight only Courtney (1992, 2002) has ever taken home the crystal pin.
The popular opinion of the group – not sure what scientific data was used- was that 5 of the 8 would make it to the final group. Maybe there going with history as the Saturday charges at 20th have been legendary.
Kyle Early, Justin Starn, Bill Meeker, Eric Latimore, former champion Joe Schroeder, Anthony Kennard and Kraig Perrine as well as Kleffner are in the next group. Will one or two of them jump up?
I say the group is partially right … somebody up top will fall! Predicting the who in that is even crazier than thinking somebody will fall from the top group. I say two will rise from the field for the top eight. One from group two and one from the lower sixteen will be there this afternoon.
The ladies division feels easier but stranger things have happened!
Chris Mahlie was the day two top qualifier and is the over all leader for the ladies as well. Mahlie, Donna Childs and Shelley Ambroza are each over the 200 plateau entering Saturday evening.
Kari Miller remains well within striking distance and normally loves the final weekend, with Bethany Pellman and Amy Newland rounded out the current top six. If that group is not strong enough, Onalee Shelpler, Deb Laudick, Sarah Moore, Beth Edwards and Cathy Grumblis will provide plenty of pressure. Shepler, Laudick and Grumblis are each former champions. In fact that trio plus Miller, Ambroza and Newland have dominated the field for the past 20 years.
Pioneer Classic brings 56 high school teams to Lima…
Color me fascinated as little Temple Christian High School will bring 24 girl’s teams and 32 boy’s teams to Lima for a one day high school bowling event at 20th Century Lanes and Westgate Lanes. To think the OHSAA is seemingly stuck forever at the number 16 to chase for the states most coveted bowling gold.
This will be the first year for 20th Century to be a part of this event that is now entering its fifth year.
The event will feature not only local teams such as the host school, Lima Central Catholic, Lima Senior High, Shawnee and Bath but very strong teams that have been traditional state powers.
Wapakoneta and Coldwater have fantastic state resumes and will bring their A Game to this event. Other teams to be mindful of would be defending girls champion Troy as well as St Henry, St Marys, Celina, Centerville and reportedly Muncie Central.
The event is held annually on Martin Luther King Day and continues to draw great statewide reviews.
The teams will be arriving around 9am with action set for both houses at 10 a.m. The format is three regular ten pin games followed by five baker games. The field will then be cut to the top eight teams who will be placed into brackets and go head to head in best 3 out of 5 baker match games.
Here we actually may have the answer to who the young guns are as well as some of the old bowling feel. When you get to the lanes you will see team shirts, same color pants and no hat on sideways guys. Could the youth be ready to bring the tradition back to the game?
Come see me.
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