Payne finds relief with 805 series

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Oct 8, 2008 by Steve Thompson

By Steve Thompson

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

When it comes to career longevity, bowlers definitely have an edge over a lot of other athletes. But at age 47 and three years removed from his third 800 series, Allen Payne was beginning to have a few doubts.

"You reach a point where you know you're not going to score like you used to," Payne said. "I was starting to wonder if I'd gotten to that time."

Admittedly, Payne has been struggling this season at Gage Center Bowl, where he's averaging 212 and has yet to reach the 700 mark. But West Ridge Lanes has been a different story for the lanky right- hander.

Payne, who ranked fourth in the city last season with a 222.134 composite average, was bowling at a 232 clip in the Sunday 6 p.m. Mixer League prior to last week, when he surely erased most of those doubts with a 257-279-269 - 805 performance.

"My normal ball wasn't really working well, so I pulled out a ball I was saving to use at Gage Center," said Payne, who moved into fourth place on the season honor roll. "I got lined up and never had to move all night. It was one of those things when you get a feel and a look and it never changes."

The 805 is the second-best of Payne's career behind the 816 he rolled about seven years ago. He finished with 29 out of a possible 36 strikes.

- Joining Payne in the top 10 over the past two weeks were Geoff Poston and Eddie Burke, who claimed the Nos. 6 and 7 spots, respectively. Poston shot 299-257-237 - 793 in the Ebonite League on Sept. 26 at Center, while Burke rolled 242-256-289 - 787 in the Lenahan Ultimate Scratch League on Sept. 23 at West Ridge.

The men's 300 club added two members -- Scott Steenbock, 232-200- 300 - 732 in the Gutter Dusters League on Sept. 28 at Center, and Trevor Artzer, 179-133-300 - 612 in the Little 8 League on Oct. 1 at Gage Bowl North.

- It didn't take Natalie Bennett long to raise the bar on the women's series honor roll. Bennett, who had led with a pair of 738s, shot 235-257-269 - 761 in the Lenahan League on Sept. 30 at West Ridge.

She was joined in the top 10 by Chelsie Bahr, 247-243-227 - 717 in the Ten Pin Alley League on Sept. 28 at North; Angel Rosdahl, 194- 258-265 - 717 in the Thursday Ladies League on Oct. 2 at West Ridge; and Belinda Kern, 238-254-213 - 705 in the Morning Stars League on Sept. 24 at West Ridge.

Mona Brown, meanwhile, moved into the women's games lead with a 299 in the Sundowners League on Sept. 22 at Center. She finished with a 685 series.

- Leading the senior men were Jack Dick, 254-227-277 - 758; J.D. Nelson, 209-257-275 - 741; Mike Granger, 275-219-246 - 740; and Gerry Sanders, 237-214-279 - 730, all at West Ridge, along with Jess Jensen, 279 at North, and Cecil Robertson and Richard Downing, both 278 at West Ridge.

Cathy Sawyer topped the senior women with a 245-213-149 - 607 effort that tied Debbie Uhl for first place on the series leaderboard and earned the No. 3 spot on the games list.

- Andrew Bennett moved into the youth boys series lead with 278- 231-269 - 778 at Center (the 278 is tied for first), while Kenny Benoit claimed third place with a 247-247-255 - 749 at West Ridge and tied for seventh with a 219-257-226 - 702 at Center, and Nick Campfield grabbed 10th with a 241-224-232 - 697 at West Ridge.

Kelsey Muther became the first youth girl to shoot 700 this season with a 214-241-246 - 701 at West Ridge while tying for sixth with a 248-228 - 654 at Center. Betsy Garner matched Muther twice with scores of 234 - 654 and 245-225 - 654 at Center.

- Big scores were the norm in the John Williams Travel League, which stopped at Gage North last Sunday. Anthony Judd, who was bowling for Royal Crest Lanes in Lawrence, led the way with a 235- 295-268 - 798 series. He also shot 288 - 768 in the twin three-game- set format.

Other top scores: Trent Overbey, Lawrence, 233-279-277 - 789; Tony Ramirez, Atchison, 278 - 769 and a second 278; Dallas Liles, Salina, 300; Bob Myers, Atchison, 289; and Dave Griffith, Atchison, 278.

- Melva Bottom claimed the all-events championship in the City Senior Women's Tournament with a handicap score of 1,277 last weekend at Gage Center. She placed third in singles (653) and doubles (624/1,216 with DeLoris Howard). Leota Coon shot 712 with handicap to win the singles title, while Ann Dick and Pearl Hafner rolled 1,295 to win doubles.

Weekly city leaders

(League scores from Sept. 22-Oct. 5)

GAGE CENTER BOWL

Men's series -- Last week: Mike Bleeck 778, Scott Steenbock 722, Matt Phelps 721, Ryan Essman 721. Two weeks ago: Geoff Poston 793, Travis Baird 736, Anthony Judd 733, Scott Steenbock 732, Robert Raye 728.

Men's games -- Last week: Scott Steenbock 290, Mike Bleeck 289, Mike Rees 289, Bob Benoit 289, Jay Breitkreutz 278. Two weeks ago: Scott Steenbock 300, Geoff Poston 299, Dennis Stallbaumer 295, Kevin McConnaughey 289, Scott Wyrick 287.

Women's series -- Last week: Amber Williams 666, Chelsie Bahr 651, Natalie Bennett 644, Mona Brown 642, Brenda Wheeler 626. Two weeks ago: Mona Brown 685, Cleora Cushinberry 646, Natalie Bennett 641, Brenda Wheeler 625.