February 29, 2008

By: Mark Martin

BUDWEISER MICHIGAN MAJORS

Randy Warnken of Clinton Township won his first Budweiser Michigan Majors title at Sterling Lanes in Sterling Heights with a 268-186 victory over Julie Hall of Richville, Warnken earned the top prize of $1,300 and Hall settled for $700.

Warnken qualified fifth and proceeded to beat Matt Mueller of Bay City 245-235, John Nolen of Waterford Township 220-183 and Nick Wissinger of Utica 217-205 in the stepladder finals en route to the championship match.

“I finally got my first title,” said Warnken. “It is even more special to beat that field especially Nolen and Wissinger, they are really tough.”

Hall was the big story. Bowling in her first MMBA event she was the top qualifier with a six-game total of 1,525 and setting a record by being the first woman to be high qualifier in the 42-year history of the organization. Hall comes with plenty of credentials, high average of 237 in 2006, Michigan Queens title and Michigan Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame.

“Wow this is awesome,” said Hall. “The only thing better is of course if I won.”

Warnken was asked if there was more pressure bowling against Hall with a crowd behind her. “No not really, I just concentrated on making good shots,” said Warnken. “It would not have been a disgrace to lose to Julie, she had a great tournament and is a heck of a good bowler.”

Wissinger took home $600, Nolen $500 and Mueller $400.

Other Oakland County cashers were Jeff Grego of Waterford Township for $200 and Mitch Jabczenski of Novi $125.

The next MMBA event will be the Match Game Championship at Parkway Lanes in Trenton on March 15-16.

For more information contact Ken Charrette at (586) 775-2414.

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HONOR SCORES

300 Games

Date, Name, Hometown, Center, League

Feb. 14, Jonathan Clancy, West Bloomfield , 300 Bowl, Elks 810 Thursday Night Men

Feb. 14, Christopher Green, Clawson , Hartfield Lanes, Thursday Night Men’s

Feb. 15, Rodney Carr, Southfield , Royal Lanes, Royal DPL Mixed League

Feb. 15, Corey Miller, Grand Blanc, 300 Bowl, Friday Nite Guys & Dolls

Feb. 18, Tanya Colvin, Southfield , Royal Lanes, WCDSS Mixed

Feb. 19, Jeffrey Grego, Waterford Twp., 300 Bowl, Tuesday Shootout

Feb. 20, Nicole Aleo, Sterling Hts., Bowl One Lanes, Ford General Classic

Feb. 20, James Goodell, Livonia , Drakeshire Lanes, Drakeshire Merchant Men

Feb. 20, Heather Judge, White Lake , 300 Bowl, Wednesday Night Ladies

Feb. 21, Jim Petty, Royal Oak , Pampa Lanes, 860 Classic

Feb. 21, Scott Hubbard, Highland , Century Bowl, Thursday Men’s House

Feb. 21, Travis Franz, Waterford Twp., Century Bowl, Thursday Men’s House

Feb. 22, Jay Lang, Sterling Hts., Bowl One Lanes, Bowl One Classic

Feb. 22, Christopher Patterson, Macomb , Bowl One Lanes, Bowl One Classic

Feb. 22, Randall Smith, Clinton Twp., Bowl One Lanes, Bowl One Classic

Feb. 22, Kenneth Wyatt, Sterling Hts., Bowl One Lanes, Bowl One Classic

Feb. 23, Eric Christensen, Wixom, Wonderland Lanes, Greater Oakland Northern Lakes HS

Feb. 23, Steven Dasbach, Clarkston, Cherry Hill Lanes North, Howe’s Hillbillies

Feb. 24, Clifford Justin, Sterling Hts., Clawson Troy Elks, Clawson Troy Elks Every Other

Feb. 24, Michael Davis, Hamtramck , Fairlanes, BTI Sunday Mixed

Feb. 25, Andrew Featherstone, White Lake , Wonderland Lanes, Monday Men’s

Feb. 25, Gary Manning, Commerce Twp., Wonderland Lanes, Tuesday Night Men’s

800 Series

Date, Name (Score), Hometown, Center, League

Feb. 20, Jason Kudla (821), Warren , Clawson Troy Elks, Clawson Progressive

Feb. 21, Steven McGartland (816), Clarkston, Cherry Hill Lanes North, Waterford Men’s

Feb. 22, Jay Lang (857), Sterling Hts., Bowl One Lanes, Bowl One Classic

Feb. 26, Branden Dale (827), Eastpointe, Hazel Park Bowl, Tuesday Classic Trio

Mark Martin writes a weekly bowling column for The Daily Oakland Press and is the association manager of the Metro Detroit USBC Association. He can be reached at (248) 443-2695, faxed at (248) 443-2690 or e-mailed at mark.martin@mdusbc.com.