All teams were back on schedule at Kiamesha Lanes last week with no cancellations due to snowstorms.

In the Monday Men's league Pedro Agapito III scored the lone 700 off single games of 237, 230, 233.

In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighter league, Kevin Stackhouse smashed the maples for a 722 off single games of 267, 198, 257 and teammate Keith Smith scored a 725 off single games of 244, 236, 245, Kyle Giordano 268, 226, 224, 718.

In the Friday Mixed league, David Graham recorded a 718 off single games of 257, 235, 226 and Keith Smith scored a 719 off single games of 247, 259, 213.

There were no 700 scores recorded at the Fox Bowling Center last week.

PBA Players Finals

Sunday at 12:30pm

Fifth seed Dick Allen climbed the stepladder and defeated No. 1 seed Jesper Svensson in the final match to win the South Region Finals. With four victories and a 270 average, Allen became the first and only player to advance to the PBA Players Championship Finals from anywhere other than the top seed.

While Allen averaged 270, his opponents averaged 258. Every match led to Allen needing a clutch performance in the 10th frame to secure victory.

“This is what we're out here to do,” said Allen of bowling under pressure. “This is why we play the game. You have to control the heart rate, the blood rushing through the veins, the emotions. You get the job done and then you can celebrate. To be able to do that on this stage just feels good.”

With a strike and spare to finish the opening match, Allen defeated Tom Daugherty, who started his game with the front eight, by a single pin. Allen then doubled in the 10th to get past Ryan Ciminelli by five pins. Needing a strike and six pins to win the semifinal match against Cristian Azcona, Allen rolled all three strikes for the win. In the final match, Allen needed to fill 17 pins in the 10th to defeat Jesper Svensson, then filled 28 to win the South Region.

“I knew the lanes were going to be high-scoring,” said Allen. “I just did whatever I could. As the middle started to hook and the back ends started to hook some more, my point of origin stayed the same but the destination down lane changed. I tried to keep moving my eyes left, keep my speed up and stay aggressive.”

Allen, who owns seven PBA Tour titles and will be looking to win his first major, joins Anthony Simonsen (West), François Lavoie (Southwest), Tom Smallwood (Central) and Kyle Troup (East) in Sunday's PBA Players Championship Finals, when the five players will compete for a top prize of $250,000.

“I'm going to try to stay in every match and hope I get a chance to step up in the 10th and do what I like to do,” said Allen.

The PBA Players Championship Finals will air live on FOX Broadcast Channel Feb. 21.

Ed's Outlook

PBA Names Three

To Hall Of Fame

The PBA Hall of Fame will have three new members this year - and for the first time in the history of the sport, a married couple has been elected together.

The PBA Hall of Fame committee unanimously elected Kirk and Mary von Krueger and Gary Mage for meritorious service.

Together, the von Kruegers served in vital tournament management roles for the PBA's national tour and Mage served as a Regional Director, amongst other roles in the industry for over 40 years.

“On behalf of the PBA Hall of Fame committee, it is a tremendous opportunity to recognize the efforts of these three icons, who built and sustained the PBA through different eras of growth,” said PBA Commissioner Tom Clark. “Gary, Kirk and Mary were an essential part of the organization up until their retirements last year, and everyone who has come in contact with them knows the PBA would not be the same without their contributions.”

Kirk von Krueger, who joined the PBA as a regional competitor in 1982, became the fourth national tournament director in PBA history in 1996. He succeeded Johnny Campos and continued in that role until his retirement 24 years later. Only the late Harry Golden, who served as national tournament director for 29 years, held the position longer. Von Krueger also held the position of Deputy Commissioner from 2011 until his retirement in 2020.

“My sincerest thanks to those who encouraged me to pursue my dream of becoming a professional bowler,” said Kirk von Krueger. At that time, I had no idea it would open a door that would allow me to experience the most fulfilling and extraordinary 25 years of my life. To all who shared my journey, I say without hesitation that it truly would not have been possible without each and every one of you. I am humbled and honored to share this with you all. Thank you.”

Mary von Krueger, who served alongside her husband as his clerical right hand, became Membership and Statistics Manager.

“The PBA was and still is my heart,” said Mary von Krueger. “The incredible staff, fierce competitors, the gracious hosts, and the exuberant volunteers and fans made my tenure a dream come true. It is incredibly humbling and overwhelming to know that my heart forever more will have a home among my heroes.”

The couple met when both were serving in the U.S. Navy as air traffic controllers. Von Krueger won the All-Navy Bowling Championship in 1975, and when he was based in Seattle, became a PBA Northwest Region competitor. He won six titles and was named Northwest Region Player of the Year in the 1980's. The couple, who married without ever going on a date, also served tours in Iceland and Pensacola, Fla., where they eventually settled and raised their four children.

After 20 years of service in the Navy, von Kruger retired and bowled on the PBA Tour for four years with a best finish of third. Von Krueger was encouraged by his wife to compete on the Tour in 1992.

“It was a great luxury having Kirk as deputy commissioner and tournament director, and Mary in the tournament office helping the players year-round,” said PBA Commissioner Tom Clark. “The von Kruegers became family to me and everyone on Tour. It was an honor working alongside them for 12 years, and I appreciate everything they have done for the PBA.”

The PBA recognized the 2020 PBA Player of the Year, Jason Belmonte of Australia, PBA Steve Nagy, Sportsmanship Award winner, Brad Miller of Lee's Sumitt, Mo., and PBA Tony Reyes Memorial Community Service Award recipient, Danny Wiseman ,late last year.

The Player Award winners and the newest members of the PBA Hall of Fame will be celebrated at an induction ceremony to be announced at a later date due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Bowling Tip

By Mike Luongo

The tip this week is for all bowlers but will be especially beneficial to youth and beginning bowlers.

Many bowlers worry too much about their steps and footwork, giving little thought to their upper body position.

In the past, most new bowlers were told that you must use a four step approach and push the ball away on the first step. This advise was generally imparted by someone with the word “coach” lettered on their shirt…unfortunately, this advise is pure rubbish.

First of all, all bowlers have different body types, different flexibility and different lengths to their arms and legs. So how is it possible that everyone can effectively use the exact same four step approach? They can't.

If you look back at the legends of the game, did any two bowlers have exactly the same style? No.

The most important thing is to get the bowler's body in the correct position…head over the ball with the bowling shoulder tilted to the ball side. In this way, the feet will go where they must so that you do not fall down.

The bottom line is if you are someone who works with new or youth bowlers, you must understand that everyone has different physiology so you need to help them get their body into the correct position and not focus on how many steps they take (or how these steps are taken) to get to the foul line.

Mike Luongo is a Certified IBPSIA Pro Shop Operator, Master Instructor, USBC Silver Level Coach and an Advisor-Special Events Assistant with the Storm and Roto Grip Bowling Ball Company. Have a question, email him at mikel@stormbowling.com.

Local Scores

Kiamesha Lanes

Monday Men's

Kyle Matthews 224, 204, 238, 666, Robert Feeney Jr. 237, 213, 213, 663, Rich Feeney 202, 219, 205, 626, Bobby Sze 244, 219, 628, William Schubert 236, 602, Nick Daroci 275, 637, Rich Bradford 215, 237, 625, Michael Caiazzo 225, 216, 214, 655, Russell Bivins 206, 238, 610, Vinny Collura 214, 235, 648, Kevin Stackhouse 220, 245, 652, Dan VanAken 230, 222, 622, Jonathan Wilhelm 224, 233, 650, Jaryl Scott 244, 225, 661, Jon Wilhelm 211, 207, 616.

Tues. Mixed Firefighter

Jon Wilhelm 236, 624, Wendy Swan 183, Trasey Barres 183, 513, Shane Cunningham 269, 215, 698, Carena Collura 188, 508, Ailene Washington 186, Loretta VanAken 193, James VanAken 256, 617, David Graham 221, 226, 623, Daniel VanAken 221, 224, 633, Anne Kaplan 181, Kathy Bradley 155, 162, 200, 517.

Friday Night Mixed

Pedro Agapito III a 224, 223, 653, Vic Decker 223, 611, Phillip Norris 237, 242, 659, Serafin Rodriguez III a 245, 246, 652, Jason Rogers 229, 212, 614, Bill Schubert 212, 204, 607, Frank Scuderi 223, 225, 627, Kevin Stackhouse 246, 643, Bob Sze 235, 246, 640, Charlie Tuttle 224, 210, 619, Susette Goldsmith 200, 161, 507, Anne Kaplan 175, Michele Macedonio 203, 164, 157, 524.

Fox Bowling Center

Wednesday Independent

Doc Bolduc 205, 201, 255, 661, Andrew Bullis 226, 226, 232, 684, Shane Dirig 236, 214, 646, Brian Drumm 224, 224, 641, Craig Gehrig 238, 211, 610, Bill Gleim 246, 630, Ben Green 221, 211, 644, Pete Green 204, 279, 685, Dan Keesler a big 299 single and a 664 series, Mitch Persbacker 214, 215, 635, Dick Price 231, Jason Scofield 252, 255, 683, Zuke Wormuth 209, 243, 642.

Thursday Night 3

Dale Conklin 244, 591, Ray Cornwell 223, 588, Shane Dirig 221, 256, 669, Bill Gleim 200, 204, 580, Gino Jones 234, 583, Dick Price 215, 610, Natasha Tuttle 204, 190, 551, Dan Wormuth 222, 226, 640.

Friday Couples

Shawn Card 236, 244, 682, Dale Conklin 243, 210, 632, Melinda Conklin 199, Shane Dirig 258, 223, 671, Scott Ellis 222, 611, Linda Ferris 180, 190, 538, Gino Jones 236, 243, 644, Hope Jones 190, 514, Dan Koch 233, Julie Martin 501, Brianna Meres 183, 203, 546, Carmella Seely 201, Jen Smith 196, 184, 180, 560, Natasha Tuttle 202, 547, Dan Wormuth 232, 224, 634, Jay Wormuth 209, 218, 215, 642, Jeremy Wormuth 224, 247, 654.

Sat Youth Mixed

Joshua Dunlap 63, 50, 103, Landon Fuller 113, 121, 125, 359, Landyn Robinson 107, 114, Cooper Wormuth 112, 136, 117, 365.

Sunday MIxed

Landyn Fuller (youth) 113, 121, 125, Anthony Gately 551, Dave Mills 220, 572, Gary Mills 245, 219, 635, Rick Mills 243, 604, Gabe Rynearson (youth) 166, 164, 138, 468.

Port Jervis Bowl

Women's Thursday Night

Sherri Laird 181, 223, 191, 595, Carmela Montaperto 187, 200, 159, 546, Carol Flynn 172, 167, 169, 508, Kimberly DeGarmo 154, 164, 167, 485, Rachel Rivera 142, 150, 168, 460, Maureen Pantley 179, Jeanne Steuhl 173.

Ed Townsend is a Public Relations Consultant to the sport of bowling and brings over 60 plus years of sports journalism experience writing and compiling the information for this column. If you have league or tournament information, bowl a 300 game or 800 series, let Ed know at 845-439-8177, email at bght75@gmail.com or fax to 845-205-4474. View this column and Ed's photos at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.