THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 5, 1995 TAG: 9511030194
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 31 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Around the Alleyways
SOURCE: Bill Leffler
LENGTH: Long : 105 lines
Young bowlers hoping some day to pursue a professional career on the lanes might do well to follow the example being set by Virginia Beach's Kristi Richards.
Richards, 18, is developing her bowling talent while continuing her education. And she's getting a helping hand by securing bowling scholarships that are available.
One of the most promising youth bowlers locally, Richards now attends Lindsay Wilson College in Columbia, Ky. She won three partial grants through her achievements in tournaments and also secured a bowling scholarship from the college, where she is a member of the women's team.
At Lindsay Wilson, she now sports a 192 average. She carried a 186 in youth leagues here a year ago.
Lindsay Wilson recently finished second in the Brunswick Southern Tournament won by Morehead State and is preparing for another major tourney in Atlanta this month.
On Nov. 18, Richards will be among three inducted into the Tidewater Virginia Bowling Council Hall of Fame at its annual banquet at the Holiday Inn-Chesapeake. She will receive the ``Star of the Future'' award. Also to be inducted are Gary Faulkner for outstanding performance and Vivian Campbell for meritorious service.
An outstanding youth bowler for the past 11 years, Richards achieved national attention in 1987 when she bowled the third highest game (255) by a prep bowler and again in 1990 when she had the highest prep scratch series (627).
In 1994, she won the televised shootout in the Dick Weber Classic Pro-Am/Central Fidelity Scholarship Tournament.
When the National Collegiate Regional Tournament was held here recently, she rolled a 704 scratch series.
A Kempsville High School graduate, Richards eventually hopes to take a stab at the Ladies Professional Bowling Tour. She is studying pre-med and expects to make a career in sports medicine.
Other area youngsters with skill on the lanes might profit by following the path she is blazing.
Bowler of the Week honors go to Vander Hill, who lost a 300 game when a stubborn No. 10 pin refused to fall on his last pitch in the Tuesday Nite Mixed Tenpin League at Pinboy's of Western Branch.
Hill, who currently averages 195 and had a book average of 184 last season, posted a 721 series.
The 299 was the highest game rolled so far this season at Pinboy's of Western Branch.
Tenpin topics: Youth leaguer Danny Tepovich racked up games of 249, 227 and 223 for a 699 series in the Big/Little League at Indian River. In the same league, Don Wohlschlegel had his first 700 with 713 behind games of 259, 220 and 234. Wohlschlegel averages 182. Bryan Hawk had the thrill of hitting his first 200 game with 219. . . . Dee Decker flipped a 136 triplicate in the Untouchables League at Pinboy's of Norfolk. . . . There were 45 games rolled over 200 in the Monday Nite Mixed League at Pinboy's of Military, topped by Scott Brown's blistering 286. . . . Les Brooks is taking bows for a 277 single in his 691 series in the Monday Nite Mixed League at Pinboy's of Western Branch. . . . Two bowlers in the Masters League at Pinboy's of Lynnhaven registered 288 games - Ron Schindler and Ed Pitcavage. . . . Jean Bateman's 610 series in the Thursday Ladies League at Pinboy's of Chesapeake included a nifty 255 single. . . . Opening with a 149 game, Ivan Mims figured it was going to be a long night in the Industrial League at Pinboy's of Norfolk. But he came back with 201 and then closed out with a torrid 289 for a 639 series. . . . Mary Hyatt zipped 86 pins over average with her 233 game in the Hit and Misses League at Pinboy's of Western Branch. The 147-average bowler had a 577 series. . . . At Pinboy's of Chesapeake, Tony Catlett fired a 280 game in the Monday Scratch Doubles League and Jim Joyce registered a 280 in the Big & Little League. . . . Barbara Chavis tossed a 279 game in her 593 series in the Charles Peete League at Pinboy's of Norfolk. . . . When David Ozio won the AMF Dick Weber Classic Nov. 1 in Richmond, there were 2,017 spectators looking on. He beat Walter Ray Williams in the final, 280-238. . . the Holiday-Inn Chesapeake Nov. 18. For information, contact Irma Peterson at 340-7353.
Duckpin data: One of duckpin bowling's most ardent supporters, George Miller, died Oct. 27. He was 82. Miller was an avid bowler for many years and his children were among the top bowlers when they competed in youth leagues at Bowlarama. Miller's efforts for the Hampton Roads Duckpin Bowlers Association also were instrumental in keeping the organization afloat. . . . Death also claimed another of the veteran bowlers, Bill George, last week. . . . Anybody want a baseball cap with a bowling insignia and their league name on it? Contact league bowler Mike Wall, who competes at both area centers. . . . Kendra Allen's 186 game was a season high in the Thursday Night Ladies League. League, smashed a 176 game. . . . St. Andrew's United Methodist shattered the team record in the Sunday School League with a powerful 689 game. . . . Jennifer Breeden fired a 362 set in the Bowlarama Youth League. . . . In the Victory Youth League, Chris Ricks slammed a 392 series and Beau Hoggard hit 391. . . . Sharla Feather, who averages 101, pitched a 179 game in a 391 series in the Independent Loafers League. . . . Lennie McCready converted the 7-8-10 for a spare in the Industrial League. For the past two weeks in this loop, McCready has chalked up a closing-frame triple strike. . . . Wilton Drury blasted a 182 game in the Good Times League and came back with a 472 series in the Tidewater Pro League at Bowlarama. . . . The area's best `wrong foot' bowler may be Rick Lieberman in the Industrial League. The righthander, who slides on his right foot, holds a 122 average. . . . The Portsmouth Match Game Tournament will start Sunday, Dec. 10. The field will be limited to 64 bowlers and entries are now being accepted at Victory Lanes. by CNB