Match play bowling completes Week 11

The 11th week of head-to-head match play bowling competition was completed Jan. 30 at JR Lanes in New Athens. Forty participants competed.

Colton Long earned the top qualifying spot with a 543 series, which also earned him a complimentary entry for next week’s match play.

“We would like to congratulate Colton on bowling a 300 during the second game of qualifying,” organizer Rayann Runevitch said. “It was quite interesting to witness the 300 game during the week’s regular competition. It not only entertained the visitors but gave all of the competing bowlers inspiration when their opportunities to bowl came around.”

Friday’s high game jackpots paid $52 each. In Game 1, Steve Easterday won with a 290. In Game 2, Mike Hamersley won with a 257.

In the semifinals, Chris Emig defeated Justin Utter 200-170, and Chuck Fischerkeller defeated Alex Cox 217-181. In the finals, Emig won by eight pins, 232-224, over Fischerkeller.

Gram and Pap Runevitch sponsored Week 11. Payouts were $300 for first place, $150 for second place and $50 for third and fourth.

Match play is scheduled to resume at 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, with qualifying continuing toward the Week 17 finals. Participants who bowl at least seven weeks without a win during the previous 15 weeks will qualify for the nonchampions week in Week 16.

“JR Lanes would like to extend its gratitude to all participants and looks forward to seeing everyone the next week,” Runevitch said. “We experienced some rough weather, but the faithful continued to show up.”