Team of the Week
(pins over average, series with handicap)
Rich Hoyt, +129, 729
Alex Frazier, +127, 781
Lynn Spellman, +103, 757
Paul Dethman, +99, 747
Bryan Mason, +96, 750
3,764 total pins
Bowling is such a great game — it never ceases to amaze and this team of the week is more proof in the pudding. A great mix of bowlers excelled in league action at Hood River’s venerable Orchard Lanes last week. Our fab five is comprised of a new bowler, a young bowler, a couple of top bowlers and a bowler who is part of the vast silent majority who enjoy the game week-in and week-out without much fanfare.
Rich Hoyt topped everybody last week, scattering the sticks in the Wednesday afternoon senior Colts & Fillies League, where he finished his three-game session 129 pins over his average. Rich is new to the convivial pin wars in the social senior league and we want to wish him a great big welcome. We’re so glad to see you and we hope this is the beginning of many more great sessions on the lanes!
How does that old adage go, youth must be served, right? Well, that’s certainly true for young Alex Frazier, who sure found the lanes to his liking in the fast-paced Wednesday night Fraternal League, where he popped big-time scratch 245 and 232 games that propelled him to a nifty scratch 673 series. That stellar performance was 127 pins over his average. We’ve been watching Alex’s progress over the past few years and figured it was just a matter of time before he turned the pins into sawdust. After all, he comes from good bowling stock; mom and dad have been mainstays in the Tuesday Nite Mixed League for years. Plus, Mom Betsy is one of the top women bowlers in town who displays textbook form. Who better to learn this game from!
Lynn Spellman and Bryan Mason have long been charter members of the top bowlers in town. Lynn’s already made the team of the week several times this season. He was in the groove once again in the Monday night Industrial League, where he fashioned a fine scratch 676 series that was capped by scratch 244 and 242 games. That was 103 pins over his average. The tough scoring conditions of late don’t seem to bother Lynn — he just keeps on rolling along. And, we always expect Bryan to succeed no matter what the conditions are, as his game is pure power; he fires that heavy hi-tech sphere of his like it was a be-be. He overcomes tough conditions with speed and revs. This time Bryan bashed the sticks in the Fraternal where he posted a big scratch 266 game and scratch 693 series, the highest scratch three-gamer all last week. Bryan ended up 96 pins over his average for the outing.
Anchoring our big five is Paul Dethman, who has been bowling league for years. He had a great outing in the Tuesday Nite Mixed League where he mauled the maples to the tune of big scratch 225 and 200 games and finished up his set 99 pins over his average. Paul, this is an achievement to be proud of; it’s not easy to do this in this town, because there are so many talented bowlers here that you have to beat. Nice bowling everybody!
Coming up soon is the 64th annual Hood River City Tournament that will take place at Orchard Lanes Nov. 28-Dec. 6. This is the biggest tournament of the season here and it is open to all of our league bowlers, men and women. The tournament will consist of team, singles, doubles, scratch, and handicap all events. Entries are available at the lanes: 1141 Tucker Road. Don’t miss it!
League Reports:
Industrial: Lynn Spellman, 244, 242 games & 676 series; Bob Reid, 244 game; Mark Chabotte, 236 game.
Workshirkers: Nancy Asai, 202 game & 540 series; Bernie Keys, 201 game. Tuesday Nite Mixed: Josh Worth, 611 series; Nancy Asai, 236 game & 584 series; Alex Frazier, 245 game. Colts & Fillies: Lynn Spellman, 277 game & 644 series; Jackie Fishtrom, 473 series; Gene Spooner, 230 game; Ken Kramer, 222 game; Stuart Sneider, 219 game; Mick Sherrell, 203 game; Len Hickman, 200 game; Shirley Thornhill, 184 game. Fraternal: Bryan Mason, 266 game & 693 series; Alex Frazier, 242 game & 673 series; Woody Eskildsen, 245 game; Michael Allen, 238 game; Aaron Troxel, 238 game; Lynn Spellman, 236 game; Josh Worth, 235 game. Lads & Lassies: Marc Eldridge, 205 game & 539 series; Joyce Ebersole, 488 series; Kim McCartney, 203 game; Len Allen, 201 game; Dee Hert, 192 game.

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