Robles, Other Top Handball Players To Compete Here

The three top-seeded handball players in the world, including Spokane’s John Robles, head the entries for the Fairco/Farmers & Merchants Pro-Am handball tournament this weekend at the Spokane Club.

Top-ranked David Chapman of Springfield, Mo.; No. 2 John Bike of Austin, Texas; and Spokane Club member Robles, who is seeded No. 3, will be the main targets on the sixth stop of this year’s pro handball circuit.

The seven-event series concludes next month at the U.S. Handball Association Nationals in Houston.

Also here is John Egerman of Boise, a former Spokane Club court pro and past world racquetball champion.

The final four spots in the 16-man pro field were filled in a playoff that concluded Thursday night. James Komshoeft of Walnut Creek, Calif., defeated Justin Balkenbush of Missoula, Mont., 21-10, 21-16; Jeff Wilson of Vancouver, British Columbia defeated Paul Walsh of Chicago, 17-21, 21-9, 11-5; David Fink of Pittsburgh def. Jay Balkenbush of Spokane 21-12, 21-20; and Roberto Meneses of Vancouver, B.C. defeated Sal SantaAna of El Paso, Texas, 7-21, 21-3, 11-1.

First two rounds in the pro event begin at 10 a.m. today, with the semifinals at noon and 1:30 p.m. Saturday. The finals will be at noon Sunday, following the third-place match at 10:30 a.m. Spectators are welcome.

The amateur portion of the tournament begins at 5 p.m. Friday and runs all day Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. Sunday’s finals begin at 7 a.m.

Bowling

It was one step backward and two forward for Jennifer Stewart of Mead in the sixth week of the Lilac Gala Festival Tournament at Lilac Lanes.

The young bowler, who leads the women’s division, helped displace herself from the No. 2 spot in mixed doubles when she and new partner Adam Heim combined for a leading 1,499 score. She also teammed with Kathy Stewart for a 1,287 that was good for third place in women’s doubles.

There were also changes among the top three in four other divisions, but none included a leader.