Torrid Twiss Adds To Trophy Case
“I’ve had,” Julie Twiss said, “a good year.” Indeed. Two major city bowling titles, two major state championships and a share of an eighth-place national finish. Outstanding would fit, too.
Twiss added the latest jewel to her crown during the weekend when she won the Washington Team USA competition in Seattle.
With high games of 223 and 222 on what might best be described as “controlled” lane conditions, Twiss totalled 3,101 for 16 games (a 193.8 average) to earn a trip to the Aug. 21-Sept. 1 Team USA finals in Reno, Nev.
She’ll compete in a field of 130 for a spot on the eight-woman Team USA that will tour the country for clinics and exhibitions - and bowl in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
“It’s a prestige thing,” said Twiss.
“It’s a big deal,” said friend and bowling companion Julie Heath. “The top amateur bowlers in the country are in it. Julie has a good shot. She’s having a heck of a year.”
Twiss earlier won city and state Queens crowns and the all-events title in the city women’s tournament for a second straight year.
The Spokane team of Twiss, Heath, Sandy Hanson, Kim Sternod and Kathy Thomas finished eighth among 313 teams in the Classic (open) Division of the Women’s International Bowling Congress Tournament in Tucson, Ariz.
They bowled a 2,930 on May 12 that put them in first place at the time.
“We’re pretty happy with that,” Heath said of the finish.
Area bowlers also made their mark in the American Bowling Congress Tournament in Reno.
Matt Surina of Spokane, who rolled a recordtying 826 three-game series in February, weathered the assault of a record field of 92,000 to win the singles title and $2,000.
Mike Hanson, another local bowler having a big year, finished third in all-events (2,161 for $3,400) and fourth in singles (801 for $1,700).
The North Bowl team of Mike Hanson, his dad Jim Hanson, Doug Smith, Jim Allen and Sean Heath was second among the record field of 17,285 in team all-events (9,822).
Herb’s Body Shop of Ritzville was third in the booster team division (2,792) and Ed Samuelson of Ellensburg tied for 10th in singles (778).
Mike Hanson, one of two individuals to finish in the top 10 in two of the three non-team events at Reno, hasn’t cooled off. Tuesday night at North Bowl he recorded his fifth 300 game - against his dad.
“It was his dad’s birthday, too,” reported his mom Sandy. “When Mike got done, he said, ‘Happy Birthday, Dad.”’
It’s the second 300 Mike has rolled against his dad. This one, coming as Mike subbed for Kyle Heath - who is sidelined with a broken collar bone - helped knock Jim out of first place.
“I bowl him quite a bit,” said Mike. “Sometimes I need a 300 just to beat him. What did he bowl? I don’t know. I was too busy concentrating on my score.”
Bicycling
Bill Misner of Spokane’s Baddlands Cycling Club and Robert Lauer of Coeur d’Alene Velo won divisions in the Hammerfest Regional Masters Championships last weekend in Rosalia.
Misner, a top ultra cyclist, won the men’s 55-59-year-old division and Lauer won men’s 30-34.
In Sunday’s Washington State Championships, five Spokane riders won first-place medals: Hugh Bates, masters men 50-54; Misner, masters men 55-59; Dick Finch, masters men 60-plus; Bill O’Reilly, senior men 4-5; Jeremy Wavra, junior men 13-14.