Roll-off races are taking shape

By By Mike Carson / bowling columnist
Oct. 21, 2003
The first quarter of action is nearly completed for most leagues with initial roll-off positions being decided in several leagues. In the Hucklebuck league, the "Family" team secured a position in that league's roll-off after a three-way tie forced a one-game roll-off. In the Bowlerettes league, the Industrial Electric team took the first round by a single game over Johnson Toyota and Upton Drugs. The initial roll-off spot in the Wednesday Night Mixed league went to the team "Going Broke" after fending off a strong challenge from the Dixie Bowl team. I will have results for the Queen City, Dixie Belles, Ball &Chain and Senior Citizens leagues next week.
Local bowlers continued to strut their stuff last week. Mike Cothern continued with the hot hand for the guys, punching out two more "7s" to bring his total to a house-high seven in the first eight weeks. If he continues to stay hot, he could be on pace to equal or surpass Johnnie Blackmon's yearly record of 36 set two years ago. Cothern pounded out an impressive 784 set in the Ball &Chain league on Friday and followed that up with a 706 Monday night in the Hucklebuck league. C.O. Gray notched his second consecutive "seven" with a 720 in the Queen City league using a ten-in-a-row 288 game to help his cause. Don Sabella also used a 288 game while posting his first 700 of the season with a 715. Robby Relinski has also been on a hot streak lately and picked up his third with a 738 in the Wednesday Night Mixed league abetted by a nice 279 game.
Several guys crushed games in the 260 range last week including Keith Fike, Leon Fike, Tim Van Doren, Brian Mattox, Rodney Bounds and Tyrone McAlpine. Other guys posting some big numbers included Jim Broderick, Jr., Robert Brown, Shayne Barfield, Herb Bruister, Larry Hattell, Burnie Berrey and Ronnie Thomas.
On the ladies side, Matar McClinton used games of 224 and 223 while posting a week high 643 set. Mary Copeland held down the high game for the second week in a row with a nice 244 while posting a 634 and second-year bowler Carrie Clark just missed hitting the Century Award with a 98-pin average 243 in the Wednesday Night Mixed league. Shirley Gaines used a 224 game to help her way to a 621 series while Tandee Marx got back on track with a 221/617 effort. Also getting in on the fun was Anna Moreno with a 238, Mona McGrane with a 237, Debbie Jones with a 232, Denise Rutledge with a 222 and Angie Thomas who rounded out the leader board at 221.
The juniors saw Josh Coleman notch his third and fourth consecutive 600 series with a 600 on Saturday and a 602 on Wednesday in the Fun Time league. Adam Carson posted his second straight "6" with a week-high 606 and the high game of the week with a 235. Terence Brown found the zone for a 213 game and Trey Gaines cranked out a 207. Colton Dooley also had a nice 204/528 set. Hope Ferguson was high for the girls with a 158/433 while Antonio Brown, Tanner Felton, Jerry Dearman and Emily Davis led the way for the Preps division.
I haven't received the results on the City Mixed Tournament held the past couple of weekends, but when I get them I will pass them along to you. Meanwhile, entry forms are available for the State Mixed Tournament which will be held the first three weekends in November at Hub Lanes in Hattiesburg. While late entries are accepted, you should get your entry in early to insure the times and dates you wish to bowl. Entry forms are also out for the State Seniors Bowling Tournament at Spanish Trail Lanes in Gautier December 6-7 and 13-14.
Many local bowlers were saddened to learn of the death of Robby Vest of Columbus who was a familiar face in many tournaments here. Robby was rapidly becoming known as one of the top bowlers in the state and his untimely passing at the age of 25 in a motorcycle accident was a loss to not only the Columbus bowling community, but also to bowlers from around the state. We extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to his family and friends in their loss.
That's all for this week. Until next week. . . Good luck and good bowling.