Bette Addington: Mexican American event brings out the best in local bowlers
| Monday, Oct 26 2009 06:35 PM
Last Updated Monday, Oct 26 2009 06:35 PM
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This 13th Annual Budweiser Southern Valley Mexican American Tournament Oct. 17-18 at Regency Bowling Center, is one event that local bowlers look forward to every year.
The event features three mixed team squads on Saturday and one mixed doubles squad on Sunday. This year's event drew 72 teams on Saturday and 30 mixed doubles teams on Sunday. The winning team for mixed doubles was Hugh Butler, Tomieka Johnson, Darrell Baker and Vernon Adams from Los Angeles, who rolled 3074 on the 5 p.m. squad to win $600. Second place was won by a Bakersfield team -- Fidel Lara, Marcia Douglas, Joe Lovato and Carlie Medina III -- who came in with a 3051 and won $500.
Local standout John Whisler got a serious supply of tortillas Saturday by rolling the first 300 game, which was good for $200, for his first game of the day bowling in the 2 p.m. squad with teammates Blanca Moyer, Jason Boyd and Mike Hefley. Hefley also contributed a 300 game with this team as he rolled it for his third game. Their team ended up with a 2957 (Whisler had an 805 and Hefley an 804) which was good for fifth place and $340.
Whisler went on to bowl yet another 800 series in the 5:30 p.m. squad (804) which helped that team (Travis Poston, Brenda Kist, Charlee Kist and Whisler) place 11th (2918) and win $180.
A dozen tortillas are given out to tournament participants to every man that rolls three strikes in a row and to every woman who rolls a double.
Sunday's Mixed Doubles event was won by a team from Stockton--Manny Salazar and Denise Haley (1497), good for $200. Second place went to the Bakersfield team of Roy Jones and Jerri Witten (1481) for $180.
Other local bowlers who posted some impressive scores were Tracye Taylor (662 series), Kent Gray (742 series), Missy Lara (645 series), Carlie Medina III (715 series) and Travis Poston (712 series).
LOCAL YOUTH BOWLERS DO WELL AT ANNUAL CUSBC YOUTH STATE SCRATCH TOURNAMENT
Local juniors Gabriella Mayfield and Jimmy Hefley both made the finals at the California United States Bowling Congress State Scratch event held at Visalia Lanes the weekend of Oct. 17-18. The low turnout, however, has tournament directors looking for new ideas for this event.
Mayfield, from Lake Isabella, finished fifth earning $100 in scholarship money in the Girls division, which featured a Top 5 Step Ladder finish. Because of the low turnout in the Girls division, they went right from qualifying rounds to the Top 5.
Hefley, from Bakersfield, finished third in the Boys division, receiving $700 plus an extra $100 for being the 6-Game semifinals leader (1307). In the boys division, they used the single-game double elimination format, which made for some exciting finishes as you could only lose once in the winner's and once in the Loser's bracket and you were done for the day.
Winner Peter Mochizuki , a student at Fresno State, was very happy to use the double elimination format as he came from the loser's bracket to win the tournament and $1,100 in scholarship money. Nicole Shepard (Yorba Linda) won the girls division, earning $500 plus high game and series in qualifying for another $100 in scholarship money.
Narrowly missing the finals cut was Patrick Smith (Bakersfield, now attending UC Davis) in a two-way tie for the first alternate spot. Smith finished 17th.
UPCOMING BVL TOURNAMENT ENTRIES OUT
Local league bowlers whose league went 100 percent for Bowlers to Veteran's Link (BVL) at their league meeting are encouraged to bowl in the annual BVL City Roll-Off Tournament the weekend of Nov. 14-15 at AMF Southwest Lanes. Entry forms are out at all centers--white forms are for adults and green forms are for the youth.
Entry fee is just $20 and you have your choice of four squads: at noon and 2:30 p.m. both days. You also can re-enter if you wish. Pre-entry closing date is Oct. 29, but you can also enter day of event as long as you enter one hour prior to the squad you wish to bowl in and if there is room. Call BVL chairman, Tony Toone at (661) 366-0379.
This event features a raffle and all proceeds go toward Golden Empire United States Bowling Congress' annual donation to BVL. This year's raffle features a flag afghan made by AMF Southwest Lanes' Lisa Isbell. Chances to win this beautiful afghan are currently being sold. Watch for this afghan to be making an appearance at your upcoming league!
RECENT SUPER SCORES
On Tuesday, Sept. 29, bowling in the Tuesday Men's league at Regency, Diz "every ball in the pocket" Francisco rolled his first ever 800 series, an 826, with games of 268-279-279.
On Oct. 2, bowling in the Mexican-American Mixed league at Regency, Mike Leyva, bowled a 300 game to add to his career. Leyva, who recently was transferred out of state for his work, will be missed by his teammates and bowling friends.
On Oct. 15, bowling in the Tuesday Men's league at Regency, Ian Byers rolled a 300. This was Byers' fourth 300.
On Oct.16, in the Mexican-American Men's league at AMF Southwest Lanes, Don Apple bowled his third career 300.
KEEP THESE BOWLERS IN YOUR PRAYERS
Randy Carter was recently diagnosed with a malignant tumor on his neck and is being treated at UCLA. They are not sure what procedure they will use to reduce or remove it, but he has to undergo chemotherapy. The Carter family is optimistic although this process will take time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family, which has been a part of the local bowling scene for years.
Brenda Kist suffered a heart attack the Sunday morning of the Southern Valley Mexican-American tournament (Oct. 18) after bowling in the event the day before. Brenda is at home recovering and we wish her a speedy recovery.
LOCAL BOWLING COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Thurs., Oct. 29--Pre-entry deadline for upcoming BVL (Bowlers to Veterans Link) City Roll-Off Tournament (Nov. 14-15 at AMF Southwest Lanes). Contact BVL Chairman Tony Toone at (661) 366-0379.
Thurs., Oct. 29--October Super Senior No-Tap Singles Tournament, 1 p.m., Regency Bowling Center. Contact Marge Langdeon at (661) 325-6428.
Sun., Nov. 8--Bakersfield 500 Club bowls at Regency at 1 p.m. Contact Linda Wright at (661) 831-6582.
