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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Seniors Go First In Women’s Bowling Tourney

Chuck Stewart Correspondent

Eight of the Spokane Women’s Bowling Association’s senior citizens with more than 200 years experience between them will roll ceremonial first balls during opening ceremonies of the 55th city women’s tournament Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at Valley Bowl.

Gladys Smith of Sports Page and Margaret Withers of Valley Bowl and Sports Page are the elder stateswomen of the group, both 92.

Smith has bowled for 34 years and still bowls in three leagues. Withers has bowled 15 years and competes in two leagues.

The other ceremonial rollers: Margie White, 89, Colonial Bowl, 11 years, one league; Ellen Clinton, 88, North Bowl, 50, 2; Beth Lyon, 84, Lilac Lanes and Diamond Bowl, 9, 3; Ruth Berglund, 83, Silver Lanes, 18, 3; Emma Grace Hill, 86, Deer Park Lanes, 35, 3; Olga Linahan, 81, Diamond Bowl and North Bowl, 22, 2.

The association has 356 singles entries, 178 doubles teams and 79 five-women teams in the event that runs this weekend and Feb. 25-26.

It took a couple of exceptional games for Spencer Combs and Larry Butler to earn American Bowling Congress Century Awards at Colonial Bowl.

Combs, a 196-average bowler, rolled a 296 in the Big League mixed league. Butler, with a 188 average, rolled a 288 in the Colonial Men.

Blaine Tipton earned an ABC award for his latest effort in the Mind Benders at North Bowl. He pounded out an 800 series on consistent games of 268, 267 and 267.

Added money in the amount of $4,500 is expected to attract 1,300 or more bowlers to the fifth annual Lilac Gala Festival Tournament April 1-June 30 at Lilac Lanes.

Info: Dave Loft, 467-5228.

Flag football

It was a learning experience, but not an enjoyable trip to the national championship in Las Vegas last month for Spokane’s Purple Haze.

The Washington state champions lost all three of their games. It was the first that hurt the most.

Spokane led a team from San Diego, which was ranked fourth in the country and finished second in the tournament, into the final minute when the Californians kicked a field goal to pull out a one-point win.

Wall climbing

John Pike prevailed in the men’s advanced class and Heidi Kloos in women’s advanced at the Wazzu Winter Warmup on the climbing wall in Bohler Gym at Washington State University on Feb. 6.

Other class winners in the event that drew 65 participants: Scott Rulander, men’s intermediate; Stacy Moon, men’s beginner; Kelly Tysseling, women’s intermediate; Julianne Lamsek, women’s beginner.

Kayak

Malcolm Tobias bested Chris Bromley by 8 seconds to win the expert division of the Kayak Whitewater Rodeo in Washington State University’s Gibb Pool Feb. 11.

A 250 cubic-feet-per-minute rotor air compressor provided the white water and 26 competitors had to negotiate 19 gates.

Tobias did it in 1 minutes, 50 seconds. Top beginner was Dave Knaebel in 2:41.