Published: May 13, 2008 10:27 pm            

BOWLING: Leone ties Grace for first in USBC championship

The 53rd annual Niagara Falls United States Bowling Congress Women’s Bowling Association Championship finished with Peggy Leone and Laurie Grace tying for first place in the singles event. Leone had a 548 plus 192 handicap for a total of 740, and Grace had a 740 with her 521 plus 219 handicap. The two will square off in a tie-breaker roll off on Sunday.

Sheila Smith had a 735 to grab third place in singles action, with Deanna Mills rolling a 729 in fourth place. Bobbi-Lynn Marshall’s 723 put her in fifth, and Carol Kneeppel had a 720 and Terri Steinjan had a 715 to round out the winning field.

Denise Zey and Marshall composed the first place doubles team, which rolled a 1,421 total on an 1,148 plus 273 handicap. They edged out Robin MacKenzie and Smith’s 1,407 total, with Grace and Kneeppel rolling a 1,403 for third place. Pat Hutton and Elizabeth Slaiman had a 1,388 for fourth place.

Winning the team event was “We Can Do This,” captained by Valerie Clayton with teammates Cindy Gertz, Tracey Stoddard and Karen Wade combining for a 2,701 total score. In second place was “The 4B’s” captained by Sue Keller and joined by MacKenzie, Smith and Lisa Clinton. Their score was 2,645.

Other notables were Sheila Tallarico’s 658 in doubles and 621 in singles, and Theresa Porter’s 665 in singles. Leone won the handicap event with a 2,112 and Mills took the scratch event with a 2,017 averaging 224 for the tournament.

Mills will represent Niagara Falls in the bi-annual Miss Liberty tournament where she will compete against the all-event winners from across the state. The tournament banquet will be held June 4 at the Days Inn in the Falls. Tickets are available by calling the banquet chairman at 297-3481.

        

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