Fall leagues underway ‘In the Zone’

All of the returning leagues are set at the NRV SuperBowl for the fall/winter season. Whether it’s the youth leagues or senior leagues or everything in-between, it promises to be a year of accomplishments and improvements across the lanes.

So, here we go for this week’s salute to the local bowlers. The NRV SuperTeen League began the season with James Mabry in top performance mode.  His 644 series was built on the foundation of games of 234 and 223. Norman Daigneault, Todd Jones and lefty Tyler Graham all began their season with strong initial outings.

Tara Keith narrowly edged Chelsea Sheppard for high games honors as finished the Saturday morning session on Sept. 8 with a 227 score. Sheppard added a 224 game and Cayla Hicks rolled a 207 to round out the top scoring trio.

In the younger group of the youth bowlers (NRV SuperKids), Brenden Carney finished with the high game and series among the young lads. Parker Mullins and Brady Kirkner also had their names across the top of the leaderboard.

Brianna Boyd had games of 154 and 143 to lead the young ladies in the competitive league. Emily Lovern and Mackenzie Dixson also had strong starts to the thirty one week season.

One of the most prolific leagues at the SuperBowl is the Shelor Toyota Moose League. An example of the strength and abilities in this league can be exemplified by the fact that in week three of the season, there were five bowlers who had high games of 225 or better.

Ronnie Horton, who competes in regional PBA tournaments as well running the pro shop at the SuperBowl, proved that he is more than qualified as he had a high game of 289. Frankie Howell added a 256 game and Andy Cox, Jr., Danny Crawford and Steve Hollandsworth all had high games in the league.

On the women’s side of the scoreboard, there were four ladies who had matching scores of 202. Christy Dillon, Karla Gragg, Pam Sola and LeighAnn Teel battled for the top honors with equal results.

Other solid series scores were turned by April Reed and Ann Crawford. Mark McGhee finished the evening with one of the high series scores among the talented bevy of male bowlers.

A pair of other leagues proved that despite being smaller in number of teams proved no barrier to creating high individual accomplishments.

Dale Shumate had games of 248 and 225 on his way to a 678 series in the Friday Night Church League. Don Strock rolled a 217 game which helped him enter the “600 series” club with a 605 set.

One of the most consistently improving bowlers at the SuperBowl is Traci Delap. She continued to demonstrate that with her 198 game and 512 series in the Friday Night Church League, which is one of the longest running leagues in the area.

Danny and Amanda Collins dominated the Sunday Triples League on Sept. 2.

Danny had games of 225 and 192 as the paced the men while Amanda registered high scores of 213 and 196.

Switching gears and generations, the senior bowlers at the NRV SuperBowl continued to excel early in the season.

In the Light and Lively Senior League, which competes on Thursday mornings, Bruce Webb had the high game and series on Sept. 6.  David Quesenberry, Glen Watson and Garnett Byrd also proved that bowling early in the morning was no problem as they also registered impressive totals.

Last week’s Up and At’Em Senior League was led by Len Attisano with a 214 game. Clyde Walters added a 205 game and J.R. Lester finished high on the leaderboard for high series.

The Thirty Team League was led on the female side by Sonja Hollandsworth with a 215 game. Charlotte Alexander added a 191 and Linda Frazier finished with a 185 game.

Often, I am asked what I believe is the allure of bowling for all ages. I believe it the opportunity to still be athletically competitive at all ages. Whether you are eight or 80, bowling creates that opportunity for everyone.

The next couple of editions of “In the Zone” will demonstrate that.  The Virginia Senior Bowling Tournament will be the focus of next week’s column.  The following week, I will salute Terry Stike who is the newest member of the Virginia Bowling Hall of Fame.

Until then, good bowling to everyone!!

-Randy Thompson, special to The Burgs

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