Mage Wins Title In Senior Event

Gary Mage of Spokane won the Professional Bowlers Association’s Northwest Senior Classic on Friday night in Beaverton, Ore.

The top-seeded Mage, a 50-year-old senior rookie, watched from the bench as John Handegard fell short 258-256 in the title game.

For his three games in the championship round, the third-seeded Handegard rolled an 812 score for a 270 average. Also, he recorded 28 of 36 possible strikes.

Mage completed his game first. Handegard had a possible 279 game, needing a nine-count spare plus a strike to tie or a strike on the first ball of his final frame to win. He left a single pin and easily converted the spare. He knocked down eight on his last ball.

Mage had a 42-game pinfall of 10,237 to lead the qualifying. Handegard was third at 10,202.

Earl Anthony, in his second event since coming out of a five-year retirement, was seventh at 10,109.

High school decathlon

The third annual Dan O’Brien National High School Decathlon opens today at Spokane Falls Community College with a small, but quality, field.

Led by Washington state decathlon champion Shipley Ennis of Woodinville, seven of the country’s most versatile athletes will compete in the invitational - which produced the nation’s top-ranked high school decathlete in each of its first two years.

The first five events begin at noon, with the final five at 11 a.m. Sunday. Competitors will use high school implements in the throws and hurdles.

O’Brien, the world decathlon record holder and winner of the U.S. Olympic Trials, pays the travel expenses of all competitors, who come from as far away as Alabama. The meet was previously held in his hometown of Klamath Falls, Ore.

Auto racing

Spokane driver Chad Little finished 32nd at the Stanley 200 Busch Grand National race in Loudon, N.H. Randy LaJoie won his race of the season.

LaJoie edged Terry Labonte by 1.7 seconds at New Hampshire International Speedway.

, DataTimes