THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 4, 1996 TAG: 9602030108
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 27 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Around the Alleways
SOURCE: Bill Leffler
LENGTH: Long : 106 lines
Chris Cutchins of Franklin has become the first bowler in the Portsmouth Women's Bowling Association to roll a 300 game.
Cutchins, a 180 average bowler prior to the outburst, accomplished the feat in the Tuesday Nite Mixed Nuts Tenpin League at Franklin Bowling Center. It also was the first 300 in league play at that center by a woman bowler.
Cutchins opened with the 12 striker and followed with games of 203 and 167 for a 670 series, upping her average to 182.
``I've checked through the records I have and, to my knowledge, this is our first 300 ever,'' said PWBA secretary Debbie Rabel.
The highest game shot last season was 279 by Martha Bennett.
This is the sixth sanctioned 300 ever rolled locally by a female league bowler. The other five were registered in the Tidewater Women's Bowling Association. There were two last season - by Doris English and Carrie Paisley.
Fran Sansone has bowled two. The other was notched by Maryann LaBlue, the first ever in the 1978-79 season.
Cutchins is a member of both the PWBA and the Norfolk Bowling Association, a primarily male group which accepts women members in mixed leagues. Consequently she will be receiving awards from both associations.
``I really didn't get nervous until the ninth strike,'' said Cutchins. ``Then everybody was standing around watching.''
The highest game she had previously was 265.
BOWLER OF THE WEEK honors go to John Confalone, the standout among a group of seven pinbusters who fired 300 games.
Confalone also broke the exclusive 800 barrier in series, adding games of 246 and 258 for 804 in the Tuesday Commercial/Divisional Tenpin League at Pinboy's of Norfolk.
In addition to Confalone and Cutchins, 300 games were pitched by Bill Schabot in the Poplar Halls League at Indian River, Robert Huryn in the Guys & Dolls League at Pinboy's of Military, Chris Baron in the Tuesday Commercial/Divisional, Jerome Johnson in the Monday Nite Mixed League at Pinboy's of Military and Chuck Egan in the Military Doubles League at Pinboy's of Military.
In one stretch Huryn slammed 23 consecutive strikes. He had a 786 series.
TENPIN TOPICS: A pair of 17-year-old standouts in youth leagues soared over the 700 barrier. Robert Norris, competing in the Junior Gators Tenpin League at Little Creek, blasted out a 729 series with games of 259, 257 and 213. Mike Krell, participating in the Saturday Morning league at Pinboy's of Norfolk, tossed a 701 series. It was the 11th 700 of his young career. . . . Richard Sumblin was a pin off 300 en route to his 753 series in the Tuesday Men's Commercial League at Pinboy's of Western Branch. He closed with the 299 after games of 236 and 218. . . . Rodney Ross tossed 11 strikes in a row in his 290 game in the Military Doubles League at Pinboy's of Military. There were nine games shot in this loop over 250, three by Mike Olenik (254, 256 and 269) in his 779 series.
Danny Mausolf pitched nine strikes in a row, getting a No. 9 pin tap in a 279 game and 754 series in the Masters League at Pinboy's of Military. . . . Five bowlers in the Tidewater Youth American Bowling Alliance sport averages over the 200 mark. . . . Julia Henry, who averages 176, shattered the women's series record in the Charles Peete League at Pinboy's of Norfolk with games of 229, 256 and 244 for a powerful 729. . . . Lori Lawson registered a 701 series in the Blue Flames League at Pinboy's of Military.
First 200 games ever were recorded by Melody Blake (201) in the Thursday Nite Mixed League at Pinboy's of Chesapeake, and Moses Whitehead (212) and Lisa May (200), both in the Saturday Nite Mixed League at Pinboy's of Western Branch. . . . Century award winners were Tom Sahr (168 average, 280 game) in the PA Suburban Men's League at Pinboy's at the Beach, Lee Davidson (177 average, 280 game) in the Friday Mixers League at Pinboy's of Chesapeake, Robert Bowen (124 average, 231 game) in the NARDAC League at Pinboy's of Norfolk, Joe Desimone (139 average, 256 game) in the Tuesday Playmates League at Pinboy's of Chesapeake, Ken King (131 average, 245 game) in the Saturday Nite Streakers League at Indian River and Gwen Hockaday (156 average, 256 game) in the Ball & Chain League at Indian River.
YABA is getting ready for that first 900 series ever to be bowled by a youth bowler. A stainless steel ring is being designed. When it's completed, YABA will provide leagues with a picture. And, with the ring, will go a $900 scholarship. In case you're wondering, the current YABA three-game record is 888, rolled in 1990 by Brentt Arcement of Kenner, La. . . . Mark your calendar: Bowling in the Virginia State Games will be June 29 at Pinboy's of Lynnhaven. More than 300 are expected to compete.
DUCKPIN DATA: Lloyd Minton's 443 set powered Court Street Baptist to the first-half championship in the Sunday School League in a rolloff with Alliance Christian II. Court Street posted a 1,792-1,764 victory after the two teams were exactly even for two games. . . . In the same league Jason McCready opened with an 80-plus game and finished with a 404 series. . . . Here's wishing a speedy recovery and return to the Wednesday Morning Mixed League for Lillian Larkin. . . . Willie Sraver exactly reached the 400 mark in a pair of leagues, the Stormy Weather and the Tidewater Pro. . . . Joe Griffith and Lydie Hoggard paired for an unusual game win in the Elimination Doubles League, never leading in the entire game until Hoggard filled a 10th frame spare for the victory. . . . Joan McCook converted the 6-7 for a spare in the same league. . . . A 169 game helped Christy Mattern to her 425 series in the Thursday Mixed League. . . . Mike Barnes' 367 topped the weekly scoring in the Victory Youth League. Jimmy Nelson, a 92-average scorer, posted a 145 game. . . . A Valentine Doubles Tournament will be held at Victory Lanes Feb. 10-11 with a $15 entry fee. Saturday shifts are 6 to 10 p.m. and Sunday competition is 5 until 9 p.m. . . . An out-of-state proprietor has altered one of the pinsetters so it will set the pins 11 inches between the center of each pin. He feels it will improve the scoring. It is not sanctioned by the National Duckpin Congress, which requires 12 inches between the center of the pins. by CNB