George Tomlinson takes up the challenge

Roll 'Em

Sunday News

Published: Oct 05, 2008
00:08 EST

By STAFF

George Tomlinson has rolled 20 perfect games and has won the Lancaster City-County Tournament.

But he's still challenging himself to improve.

Tomlinson bowls in the Myers Auto Body Challenge League, which this year is featuring tougher, tournament-like lane conditions. In the early going, his average is 190.

Background: George F. Tomlinson III, 35, and his wife, Kris, have a son Nicholas, 3. A 1991 Warwick High School graduate, he served in the Navy from 1991-93 in the U.S. Presidential Ceremonial Guard Unit. He's worked as a bricklayer for Weaver Masonry for five years.

High scores: Single, 20 300 games; series, 10 800s, the most recent at the beginning of 2007-2008 season. Twice rolled career high of 823.

My greatest moment in the sport: On Jan. 16, 2004, when I was bowling at Clearview Lanes with my wife, Kris, and friends Russ and Danette Alleman, we shot a mixed team scratch game of 1,080, which was third in the nation at that time and remains fourth in the nation.

Top achievement: Won Lancaster City-County Tournament in the 2006-2007 season.

Favorite bowling center: I will bowl anywhere. I really do not have any favorites.

The people who taught me the most: I've had a lot of great input from many good bowlers, such as Scott Ulmer and Gary Brooks from Leisure Lanes, the Goodlings from AMF Rocky Springs, and Troy Lint. Many of my peers have also offered some input during my years of bowling.

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• bowling (58)
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• bowling results (35)
• Roll 'Em (34)

My interest in the sport began: When I was 8. My dad bowled in a couple of leagues and signed me up with the junior bowling program.

My secret to success: Practice, practice and more practice, but also challenge yourself and be willing to learn.

Suggestions for other bowlers: Be willing to challenge yourself by bowling on more challenging conditions to become a better bowler.

Another sport I participate in: Tae Kwon Do.

Goal this season: To become more consistent on the challenge league's tougher conditions.

My long-term goal in bowling: Win a Pennsylvania state title.

Alley notes: Perfect games were rolled by Milt Burrell Jr. at Garden Spot and Terry Martin, who had two, at Blue Ball.

Almost perfect games were rolled by Milt Burrell Jr. (298) at Garden Spot.

High series (800, men; 700, women) were rolled by Brad Lutz (817) and Milt Burrell Jr. (810) at Garden Spot and Terry Martin (824), Dave Sprague (818), Jason Hummer (813) and Kerry Smith (705) at Blue Ball.

Tourney trails: Blue Ball will have a no-tap doubles shootout the last Saturday of every month with scratch and handicap divisions. Sign-in starts at 1:30 p.m., bowling at 2 p.m. Cost is $25 person. High-game pot available.

Note: If you have a suggestions or comments for the column or a recommendation for a featured bowler, call Sports Editor Jim Hersh at 291-8699 or e-mail jhersh@lnpnews.com .


High scores

Garden Spot

Men: Chase Hall 662 (Streamliners); Pat Jeffries 684, Brent Grumling 678, Jim Cunningham 677, John Mahan 662, Joe Abrams Jr. 651 (Sun. Night Mxd.); Nate King 686, Kyle Teaman 677, Kevin Butler 674, Fred Merklinger 663 (Garden Spot Men); Rich Ferrier 687, Dave Dissinger 663 (Wildcat); Marvin Kreider 685 (Cop-Outs); Ron Thomas 661(RPM); Tim Weaver 698, Jeff Waller 686, Dave Brooks 677, Gary Walton 674, Rodger Hatfield 674, Bruce Young 674, Scott Felty 672, Butch Garnett 658, Dan Tracy 650(Central); Tom Abrams 685 (Levi's Classic); Bob Heiney Jr. 653 (Thunder); Jason Faltin 686, Kevin Helm 678, Dan Bailey 670 (Stras. Comm.); Nick Manes 669, Ron Summers 660 (Peq. Valley Mxd.)

Women: Jenn Hornak 563 (Sun. Night Mxd.); Charlie Ballantyne 585 (Nickel Mine Ladies); Deb Mentzer 566 (Trio); Bam Brookins 567 (Stras. Comm.)

Seniors: John Haverstick 528, John Zuclich 507, Bob Olcott 442, Ed McNamara 407 (Swingin' Sens.); Charlie Rhoades 696, Dennis Groff 626, Les Greenwalt 607, Frank Hargan 570, Pearl Johnson 527, Norm Wilson 476, Joy Corey 449 (Thurs. Sens.)

Juniors: Coty Johnson 682 (Family Twosome); Coty Johson 722, Jordan Wakefield 453, Amy Lehr 442, Kody Ford 385, Alex Stoeffler 286, Carrie Shertz 250 (Sat. Juniors)


Leisure

Men: Ed Shay 597 (McCombs Supply); Brian Rothweiler 720, Durbin Fisher 709, Joey Breen 687, Todd Hess 680 (AMF Ind); Rick Graham 775, Robby Gingrich 749, Steve Levering 729 (City County Ind); Eric Smith 732, Bill Kurau 714 (Tues Mens Hdcp); Steve Shellenberger 709 (Lanc Ind); Rick Hean 715, Ray Allison 688, Robert Hollinger 684 (Indoor World); Troy Lint 717, George Tomlinson 691, Doug Schwenk 686, Rick Graham 682 (Myers Auto Body Classic); Dave Barley 579 (Millersville Men); Bill Seybert 695 (Conestoga Ind); Jay Eckman 712, Mike Lewis Jr. 710, Carl Duffie 682 (Midway Men).

Women: Lucinda Shade 451 (Hopefuls); Tara Musselman 579 (Precious Gems); Shirley Hall 542 (Sparklers); Ann Lyle 559 (Sparemakers); Lori Enders 488 (Jewels); Anne Marie McConnell 720, Lorraine Deibler 650, Chelsea Weik 644, Susan Schickel 620 (Myers Auto Body Ladies).

Mixed: Chriss Hess 664, Bertha Garris 526 (Funtime); John Gerzema 568, Doreen Denlinger 521 (Zodiac); Don Miller 594, Brenda Good 490 (Ball and Chain); Randy Hartstein 587, Karen Wright 500 (Turtle); Jerry Rhinier 608, Sandy Howard 523 (AM Ind); Jeremy Gerz 652, Karen Staats 575 (Mixed Nuts); Bob Allison Jr. 657, Marie Hodgson 520 (Leisure Times); Mike Bonham 768, Shirley Redcay 615 (Southern End); Denny Denlinger 596, Donna Wilkie 435 (Late Mixed Nuts); Jason Zeiders 707, Jane Lang 475 (Armstrong Eng); Ron Deiter 682, Deb Kling 503 (Garys Pro Shop); Jim Frable 628, Deb Baldwin 473 (BCA); Mike Bonham 760, Ashley Rinehart 548 (Wed Mix); Ron Blechinger 561, Ann Kelly 625 (Pa Pride Insulation); Kevin Kurtz 712, Carol Bushman 621 (Thurs Mix); Chet Eckman 748, Duane Thomas 729, Dennis Shufflebottom 705, Leda Eckman 532 (Derrs Auto Transport); Phil Mount 640, Dottie Moser 446 (Knights Of Columbus); Jerry Day 580, Lisa Day 561 (Roses and Thorns); JR Akers 645, Jill Graybill 573 (Fri Mixers); Dave Otthofer 519, Hannah Herr 551 (Mix and Match); Jeremy Barney 568, Kristi Boyd 472 (Mountville Mix).

Seniors: John Herr 561, Pat Files 483 (AARP); Carl Melin 523, Helen Brown 388 (Woodcrest); Dave Stalknecht 558, Betty Palmieri 460 (Manor North); Richard Goss 715, Don Cunningham 627, Stan Raffensberger 558, Ken Welk 557, Howard Shader 555, Frank Shafer 551, Earl Frey 550, Rose Kauffman 495 (Tender Tears); Rudy Ries 664, Fred Kendall 619, John Erney 605, Galen Eberly 596, Larry Trice 596, Richard Kleckner 591, Don Cunningham 581, Fred Snyder 577, Charlie Heinaman 571, Al Johnson 561, Ralph Kurtz 556, Russell Gantz 553, Mary Siegrist 487 (Thurs Srs); Ron Bearley 590, Jerry Ackerman 575, Jack Mandel 561, Mable Thomas 558 (Millersville Srs).


Rocky Springs

ABC: Jon Waltman 617 (Holtwood 10 Pin); Ken Herr 625 (What Not); Darin Groff 655 (Nut).

WIBC: Carol Bushman 635 (Retail Ladies); Sue Gamble 482 (Friendship).

Mixed: Ray Hake 547, Bobbi Myers 542 (Rocky Early Birds); JR Nieves 706, Sheree Shoemaker 523 (Monday Night Travelers); Carl Lucci 640, Cyd Lucci 500 (General Contractors); Glenn Herr 597, Penny Mellinger 536 (Winter Flower); Eric England 662, Karen Miller 506 (New Beginnings); Steve Keen Jr. 747, Jerome Olson 707, Maggie Gribble 643 (Semi-Classic); Jason Bachman 599, Sue Eichelberger 567 (Mixed Rainbow); James Woods 540, Dee Stoltzfus 465 (Friday Nighters); Mike Chant 525, Amie Ream 359(Ticket Master).

Seniors: Lou Sparacino 570, Glenn Lutz 521, Robert Brown 520, Ken Yoder 519, Joe Sabatine 514, George Smith 506, Martha Boose 489 (Bob Rudisill Srs); George Smith 521, Audrey Kelley 414 (Club 55); Richard Urban 571, Annie Yake 479 (Rocky Springs Srs).

Juniors: Sean Obetz 605, Brian Ott 555, Casey Welsh 530, Rebecca Rudy 423 (Rocky Springs Juniors); Bob McElrath 288, Phyllis McElrath 248 (Homeschool League).


Blue Ball

Terry Martin (300) 824, Kerry Smith 705 (Blue Ball Garden Spot); Troy Lint 745 (Honey Brook); Kerry Smith 669 (New Holland Boro); Jason Hummer 813 (Wed Travel); Brett Ross 737 (Twin Valley); Chad Rudy 685, Wendy Hufford 567 (Monday Mixers); Steve Lopp 635, Terri Kretlow 544 (New Holland Church); Jeff Green 709, Regina Houck 485 (Tues. Mix); Glenn Killian 701 (Tues. Bowl 4 $); Wynetta Martin 747 (Wed Mixed); Joel Hamilton 694 (Thurs Mixers); Dave Sprague 818, Esther Stauffer 559 (Starlighters); Terry Martin (300) 737, Wynetta Martin 566 (Sunday Mixed); Marty Good 695, Jeanne Fisher 642 (Railroad); Linda Vaughn 516 Terri Kilraer 488 (Tues. AM Ladies); Cathy Hewitt 539 (Channelettes); Jerry Clark 727, Flora Mustough 514 (Thur Seniors); Cody Henry 619, Liz Donnelly 560 (Sat Jr. Lg.).


Dutch

Men: Ken Olson 667, Mike Fetter 623, Chad Weaver 611 (Sunday Mixed); Darryl Dull 668, Jay Peifer 619, Curt Baker 614, Don Peifer 614 (Brownstown Mix); Dan Hambleton 778, Bruce Parsa 737, Ray Stafford 724, Harry Rogers Jr. 717 (Industrial service); Doug Klinger 753, Todd Diehl 749, Jeff Carvell 705 (Tri-Town Church); Hank Schwartz 657, Lon Flaud Jr. 648, Joe Brown Sr. 611 (Lucky Nuts); Buddy Dimeler 730, Joe Current 684, Lonnie Hornberger 668 (Hi-Fliers); Dave Farmer 695, Randy Haldeman 674, Mark Bender 640 (Ephrata Mix); Gene Sholly 700, Bruce Good 690, Andy Boehler 675 (Woodstream); Jamie Eberhart 720, Jerome Olson 710, Mike Torres 702 (Lancaster County Travel); Gene Sholly 747, Darryl Yarnes II 667, Chris Gingrich 623 (Lincoln Forest); Dean Shupp 713, Tom Frankhouser 614, Travis Habecker 610 (Lancaster North End); Randy Haldeman 667, Dale Pannebecker 641, Scott Anderson 638 (New Holland Men); Matt Stover 668, Mike Graves 639, Fred Armstrong 629 (Simply Everything); Eric Montgomery 758, Dennis Nixdorf 729, Brian Krantz 729, Gary Fisher 728, Harry Rogers Jr. 719, Shawn Burkhart 714, Marc Johns 712, Todd Montgomery 706, Randy Miller 701 (Commercial); Jeff Arment 675 (Ephrata Church); Jeff Ault 682, Andy Gockley 662, Shawn Harnish 620 (T.G.I.F.); Sandy Snook 690, Darrell High 634, Rick Miller 612 (Northend Mix); Doug Herr 724, Rick Ober 613 (Friday Night Mix); Andy Pannebecker 762, Jeff Stiles 705, Eric Smith 701 (Saturday Night Travel).

Women: Stacy Suader 563 (Sunday Night Mix); Donna Pannebecker 693, Missy Miller 642, Christy Ayres 629, Lorraine Deibler 602 (Brownstown Mix); Shauna Mattson 482 (Lucky Nuts); Elysia Current 622 (Hi Fliers); Chelsea Weik 745, Cindy Farmer 627 (Ephrata Mix); Jessie Pierce 486 (Woodstream); Tina Lemon 642, Elysia Current 610 (Lancaster County Travel); Pat Schappell 576 (Lincoln Forest); Denise Woodworth 653, Janice Meckley 632, Sandra Hinkle 617 (Ephrata Ladies); Lisa Stover 580 (Simply Everything); Kelly Claar 514 (Ephrata Church); Amanda Mentzer 572, Amy Yocum 556 (T.G.I.F); Amy Kohler 561, Tunisia Miller 513 (Northend Mix); Deb Herr 509 (Friday Night Mix); Ellen Merklinger 713 (Saturday Night Travel).

Seniors: Dick Kellenberger 615,Vince Johnson 555, Jim Shober 554, Peggy Schmidt 480, Shirley Royer 470, Jan Shumaker 460 (Young At Heart); Carl Partridge 736, Al Nihoff 698, Bob Kilefner 654, Joe Pirrello 588, John Darrenkamp 581, Wilson Strausser 575, Barry Rupp 570, Shirley Royer 538 (Monday Seniors); Wilson Strausser 698, Al Nihoff 670, Marc Catok 653, Bob Hill 651, Frank Shafer 636, Carl Partridge 635, Tom Sullivan 616, Les Sensenig 609, Lee Hauck 602, Paul Kidder 592, Sherwood Miller 579 (Thursday Seniors).

Juniors: Jake Slabonik 101,Kanen Crighton 97, Austin Krantz 84 (Bumpers); Taylor Current 281, Ricky Bromirski 258, Logan Molchany 243 (Bantam); Tyler Good 335, Rachel Waddell 325, Nic Skoronski 305 (Zoo); Rodney Rippy 466, Matt Cover 447, Brady Willis 392 (Co-ed); Kevin Beers 706, Austin Kissinger 660, Philip Brandt 598(Seniors).