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Sandusky Tribune's Bowling News
Jim Mushenski-The Bowling Guy
mushman@att.net
April 19, 2011
JAIME NICOL and ED KARWINSKI powered their way to Championships in the 30th edition of the Sanilac County News Bowler of the Year tournament held at Liberty Lanes in Sandusky last Saturday,, 16 April 2011.
A field of 110 of the top Ladies and Men from Sanilac County bowling centers met to bowl three games of qualifying to see who would stand out to make the finals and they bowled their hearts out and set records in doing so. Ten Men bested the 700 mark and six Ladies went over 600. It took a score of 692 to make the top 12 for the guys and 562 for the ladies.
LADIES FINALISTS: Heidi Wrathell - 667, Ashley Burns - 646, Jaime Nicol - 646, Shawna Lentner - 620, Linda Kandell - 604. Julie Miller - 601, Lacey Grabitz - 591, Nicole Johnston - 585, Crystal Cramer - 583, Melanie Ball - 576, Peggy Sherman - 568 and Cathy Alexander - 562.
MEN’S FINALISTS: Rich Lewis - 775, Duane Paehlig - 747, Ed Karwinski - 728, Paul Stone - 726, Mike Bender - 715, Tony Doerr - 711, Rod Grigg - 708, Jim Brown - 707, Brian Fazio - 705, Robert Cramer - 701, Steve Gerber - 698 and Tom Barker - 692. The Men’s field pays 16 places and the next four top scorers were Cody Paehlig - 692 (Cody tied for 12th spot but tournament rules dictate that the bowler with the higher game during qualifying move on), Roger Wrathell - 687, Moe Weltin - 686 and John Bloor - 683.
ROUND ONE - MATCH PLAY: The top four seeds in each division received a Bye. Nicole Johnston def Crystal Cramer 254-224, Linda Kandell def Cathy Alexander 198 - 183, Peggy Sherman def Julie Miller 170 - 168, Melanie Ball def Lacey Grabitz 214 - 211, Brian Fazio def Jim Brown 221 - 168, Tom Barker def Mike Bender 222 - 213, Steve Gerber def Tony Doerr 254 - 213 and Robert Cramer def Rod Grigg 234 - 215.
ROUND TWO - MATCH PLAY: Nicole Johnston def Heidi Wrathell 237 - 203, Linda Kandell def Shawna Lentner 242 - 201, Jaime Nicol def Peggy Sherman 248 - 155, Melanie Ball def Ashley Burns 201 - 160, Brian Fazio def Rich Lewis 227 - 194, Tom Barker def Paul Stone 222 - 133, Ed Karwinski def Steve Gerber 213 - 146 and Robert Cramer def Duane Paehlig 246 - 233.
SEMI-FINALS: Linda Kandell def Nicole Johnston 172 - 168, Jaime Nicol def Melanie Ball 250 - 192, Tom Barker def Brian Fazio 221 - 173 and in the match of the tournament Ed Karwinski def Robert Cramer 299 - 288.
FINALS : Jaime Nicole def Linda Kandell 238 - 188 and Ed Karwinski def Tom Barker 259 - 203.
With out a doubt, the bowlers and spectators alike witnessed one of the most exciting tournaments of the past three decades. The match between Karwinski and Cramer will reign as the best ever until a pair of competitors bowl to a 300 - 300 tie and have to go to a 9th & 10th frame roll off. Ladies Champion, Jaime Nicol was, simply devastating as she rolled over her opponents in the three matches by 201 pins. After last years loss to Shawna Lentner 235 - 202 in the finals, Jaime made it her mission to avenge the loss and she did it in fine style. Jaime average 220 on her Monday night league at Liberty Lanes and her Sanilac County News Bowler of the Year trophy will sit right next to her Tuscola County Bowler of the Year trophy. Ed Karwinski out bowled his opponents by 134 pins on his way to the title and I am sure he is still amazed by Cramer’s 288 game. Ed is no stranger to high scores as he has over 50 perfect games and 30 - 800 series to his credit. Ed has many championship trophy’s and plaques but one of his most satisfying wins has to be this year’s Sanilac County News Bowler of the Year, just because.
For the record, eight of my Ladies picks made it to the final twelve but only five of my guy picks panned out. There are so many bowlers out there who are getting better and better and picking the winners is getting to be next to impossible. Past Champions Heidi Wrathell and Rich Lewis were both fantastic on their way to being top qualifiers. During the last game of qualifying and the first two games of match play, Nicole Johnston averaged a whopping 250 with a 750 series. It was a great tournament and not a bad year but now after 32 long weeks, it is time to move out doors. Happy Easter and have a great summer.
Editors Note: Opinions expressed by Sandusky Tribune's Bowling Guy Jim Mushenski are his own and not those of the Mid-Thumb Bowling Association Board of Directors and Officiers.
