BOWLING UPDATE
From Tenpins & More
* Nine-year-old Madeleine Serafini of Arizona and teenager, Dmitri Richardson of Colorado won their respective handicap and scratch divisions at last week’s Youth New Mexico Open at Tenpins & More.
A record 161 entries traveled here from a record seven states (other than the aforementioned and from within New Mexico, Oklahoma, Washington, California and Texas) to bowl for an event record $ 8,897 in scholarship monies.
The winners each received $ 1,250. Richardson beat challenger John Green with a closing string of strikes for 233 and his third Junior Bowlers Tour title.
Rio Rancho’s Alberto Medina, his sister Mia and Aiden Ruiz-Jimenez gave locals early hope but lost in semi-final matches against out-of-staters.
Serafini remained calm under pressure after last start winner, Rebecca Wilson, opened with two strikes in a row. The youngster’s spare-shooting ability proved the difference though as her opponent missed two single-pin spares.
It was announced during the tournament that a large squad of bowlers and coaches will be coming to the 2024 event from Brisbane, Australia to play the Youth New Mexico Open as well as a challenge match against All-Star JBT teams.
* A high average team dominated Sunday’s Doubles Marathon at Tenpins & More winning with a 7-1 match-play record.
After losing the opener, Antonio Lopez and Steve Ontiveros averaged 226.6 over 14 games, Lopez finishing with world-class 225, 279, 277 (781), ably supported by Ontiveros 212, 221, 213 (646).
Two teams tied for second at 6-2, with Robin Prioleau/Joseph Martinez rolling 378 in a tie-breaker, ahead of Bobbie Vega/Dan Brenning 340 to finish third.
Fourth place went to Teri Paterson/Noe Baltazar on 5.5-2.5. In a six team play-off for fifth through eighth, all on 5-3, Jon Arevalo/Carson Opela emerged 375, followed by father-and-son, Cliff and Andy Byer 352, Tom Thornhill/Khesean Manning of Gallup 323 and Marcus Sanders/Joe LaRosa 301.
* More Rio Rancho league regulars won awards at the city bowling association banquet last month.
Honored youth included Carson and Kylie Belnap, Mia Medina, Lucia Griego, Shane Muller, Ethan Loudenback, Kira Vanderlip and Aiden Ruiz-Jimenez.
Adults were Eric Vanderlip, Levi and Paul Yoder, Sam Pinge, Angelo and Leroy Espinoza, Carson Opela, Anthony Rodriguez, Montana C de Baca, Aileen Linares, Robin Prioleau, Michelle Dennison, Karen Barcal, Karen Coffey and Rick Candelaria (whose 233 season league average was high for the city).
Bowlers-of-the-Year were Jacob Gill, Joe LaRosa and Bobbie Vega (seniors) while the Hall-of-Fame added Dan Brenning. Pete Sheridan, Dusti Griffin, Brenda Hamilton and Phyllis Bustos among others.
* Calendar:
Sun Oct 8: Handicap Singles at 9 am and 11 am
