Nibert captures senior title

Soldotna bowler Chuck Nibert, by a small margin, won the Alaska State Senior Championship event with scores of 224, 245, 256, 258, 236 and 203 for a 1,422 scratch series, and a 237 average. His handicap total was 1,524, which also took first place, by a little wider margin. Chuck averaged 46 pins over his entering average of 191.

Along with his victory, Chuck will receive an entry into the 2010 United States Bowling Congress Senior Championships, which will be held in Reno, Nev., in late June.

According to USBC records and other online Alaska bowling sources, Chuck Nibert has amassed a long and diverse resume.

Chuck bowled an 800 series in 2002, with scores of 266, 299 and 235. He is the holder of three 300 games in 1999, 2005 and 2007.

Chuck has several 11-in-a-row awards, the latest was achieved just recently when he bowled a 299 game.

Chuck was the winner of the Senior Nationals for his division last July in Reno. He also was the Alaska 700 Tournament Champion in 1998, and fifth-place finisher in 2002.

Chuck maintained a 218 average during the 2006-07 Cook Inlet Masters league. In half of his 26 leagues since 2001,Chuck has averaged 200 or above.

Given the fact that Chuck has bowled in 26 leagues, I can only imagine how much the moving container will be weighed down with league awards such as high average, high game and high series. We cannot forget about team awards like first or second place, and high team series.

Chuck and his wife, Kay, are in the process of moving out of state. Over the years they have both brought a great deal of laughs and competitiveness to Alaskalanes, they will be missed. Have a safe trip and best of luck at your new location.

Congratulations Chuck. Great bowling and good luck in Reno.

The 2009 USBC Alaska State Senior Championship was held at Lucky Strike Lanes in Anchorage. There were a total of 119 entries, and 12 of them were from the Kenai-Soldotna area. The bowlers were broken into one of six categories based on age.

At the top we have "Super Seniors" for ages 75 and over. Alaskalanes bowler Bill Baucum placed in third, averaging 171 for six games. That was a gain of 14 pins over his entering average; it was second best out of the group of 12. Great bowling!

Jerry Norris came in seventh out of the field of 18 participants. Jerry rolled scores of 190, 180, 196, 182, 171 and 173.

In Division "A" for ages 70 to 74, Kay Wright did quite well. Placing fifth, Kay had several nice games over her 146 average. Bowlers Glenn Clifford and Bob Schuh placed in the top half of the field of 23.

Division "B," for ages 65 to 69, is the second-largest field, with 26 entries. Ken Liedes placed third in this large field, with scores of 190, 188, 213, 199 and 170. For game two, Ken added to his bank vault of 300 games, when he achieved No. 13. Ken's last 800 series was in 2001 when he bowled games 247, 269, 290 for an 806. That is the same season he averaged 224.

Frank Miller and Bob Waite also did well in the division. Frank placed fifth, with scores of 209, 198, 171, 203, 165 and 169.

The largest division, and most competitive, was the Division "C." Out of this division came the two second-place finishers behind Mr. Nibert. Fairbanks bowler Jim Holm averaged 232 scratch, giving him a 1,393 series. The handicap, second-place finisher was Duane Sperbeck, of Willow, who finished with a 1,464 series.

Alaskalanes bowlers Kurt Nelson, Darvin Cousins and Phyllis Cousins all placed in the top third of a very tough field of 38.

Kurt, who placed fifth, rolled scores of 171, 180, 150, 212, 177 and 169, sixth-place finisher Darvin rolled scores of 174, 235, 245, 219, 166 and 136. Phyllis Cousins, the ninth-place finisher, rolled a 142, 169, 168, 202, 185 and 144.

For those looking to bowl in a senior league at Alaskalanes, there are two options. First, you have the Golden Oldies, which bowls on Tuesday at 1 p.m. For information about this league, contact secretary Betty Osborn at 283-7936.

Some of the season high scores for the men include Bob Schuh with a 224 scratch and Frank Thompson with a 218. Handicap game goes to Fred Jones with a 291. High scratch series and average is held by Darvin Cousins with a 659 series and a 193 average.

As for high scratch game for the women, there is a tie between Phyllis Cousins and Darleen Morris, both with a 202. High scratch series is a 545 rolled by league secretary Betty Osborn.

High handicap game goes to Barbara Hollen with a 267, while series goes to Helen Striman with a 684. Helen also has high scratch average with a 167.

If the Tuesday time frame does not fit into your schedule, your second option would be the "55 Plus" league, which meets on Wednesday at 1 p.m. For information, contact secretary Phyllis Cousins at 260-9707.

Some of the leaders in this group are: the men scratch game and series goes to Fred Jones with a 244 game, 640 series; handicap game goes to Al Stirman with a 293; and Kurt Nelson holds series with a 693.

For the women, Donna Rumley holds the top spot. Donna has high scratch game with a 234, and a 619 series. She also holds high average at 180 and is in first place for handicap game and series.

Great bowling seniors, congratulations on your success!

The Alaskalanes tournament season is about to get under way and the first tournament on the schedule will be this weekend with the Thanksgiving scotch mixed doubles handicap tournament. Squad times are Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

Next on the schedule is the Frank Lee Memorial Tournament for youth bowlers on Dec. 12. This will certainly be a very competitive field, based on the fact that the Saturday Youth league over the last six weeks has acquired a sea-chest full of achievement awards from the USBC -- 62 to be exact.

Richard Huffman, from the major division, is included in the list of award recipients. Last week Richard bowled 202, 156 and 247, for a 605 series. For the week he went 8-0 placing himself in a tie for second place with bowler Garrett Eady, who went 6-2. Richard also claimed the top spot for high game and series for the boys.

In the Junior division, an achievement award went to bowler Amber Nicholson. Amber is currently in fifth place, with a record of 21-11 and only a stone's throw away from third. She bowled 57, 101 and 68 for a 226 series.

Prep division bowler Sophia Sorensen earned an achievement award and made some waves last week with her scores of 83, 100 and 95 for a 278 series. Sophia went 8-0, improving her record to 18-14, and moved into third place, up from fifth the week before.

Macy McMahill from the bantams will be receiving an achievement award for her games of 63 and 40, giving her a 103 series. Macy's awesome performance put her in the No. 1 spot for high game and series for the girls.

To all, please have a safe and happy Thanksgiving day!

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Bowler's Corner is submitted by Randy Stiedl. For any question or comments, e-mail akrms1@yahoo.com.