Press release by Todd Orsich
Clearfield — DuBois bowlers Antonio Willar and Renee Nedza found themselves on top of the mountain as each picked up their first wins in the District Four Gold Pin tournament Sunday afternoon at Clearfield Lanes.
38 bowlers (26 boys and 12 girls) took to the lanes for a three-game qualifying set before cutting to the top seven for match play.
Ryan Mitskavich of DuBois set a new boys qualifying record by shooting an 804 series. The previous high was Xander Edstrom’s 721 series in last spring’s tournament. Chloe Fisher of Altoona also set the girls qualifying record by two pins as she shot a 614. The previous record was held by Kalee Wayne with a 612 also shot in last year’s spring’s event tournament. Each bowler received first round byes.
First round winners were Willar, Joel Prisk of State College, Dalton Doverspike of DuBois. On the girls side it was Nedza, Alex Nelson of Brookville, and Lindsey Helsel of Altoona. The semi-final rounds saw Mitskavich outdistance Prisk by a 248-225 score while Willar dispatched Doverspike 210-183. Nedza outshot Fisher in the semis with a 168-133 score while Nelson won a close match over Helsel 185-176.
The boys final was very competitive and exciting with Mitskavich looking to take a third straight championship, but a very unusual 3-8-10 split leave in the ninth frame opened the door for Willar. Willar took advantage of the opening and scored the 243-230 win. The girl’s final was also competitive as Nedza held strong to take a 169-153 win over Nelson.
The third place matches went to Doverspike 214-209 over Prisk while Helsel outdistanced Fisher 188-145. Other bowlers competing in the roll offs included Kadin Danch, Anthony Manning, Melia Mitskavich, and Amanda Decker of DuBois, Allison Beimel of Kersey, and Brandon Orsich of Clearfield.
Willar and Nedza also received $100 scholarships for their wins. A Junior Gold tournament was also held within this tournament’s bowling action. Prisk garnered the top spot in the U20 division while Manning won the U15 division and each bowler will now compete at nationals in Cleveland, Ohio in July. The Gold Pin tournament has been opened up to include members from Altoona, State College, Indiana, and Bellefonte. They join the original bowling centers located in Bradford, Brookville, Clearfield, DuBois, and St. Marys.
Tournament Director Don Barr is looking to have another Junior Gold qualifier in May with a bowling center and date to be announced. Barr will be holding another Gold Pin tournament in the fall with a center and date to be announced and a spring tournament to be held at the Clearfield Lanes in March of 2018. For more information visit the PA District 4 Gold Pin Club on facebook.
Results (Seed in Parenthesis)
Boys:
First Round: (2) Antonio Willar d. (7) Brandon Orsich 270-226, (6) Dalton Doverspike d. Anthony Manning 204-183, (4) Joel Prisk d. Kadin Danch 234-197.
Semi-Finals: (1) Ryan Mitskavich d. Prisk 248-225, Willar d. Doverspike 210-183.
Finals: Willar d. Mitskavich 243-230. Third Place: Doverspike d. Prisk 214-209.
Girls:
First Round: (2) Lindsey Helsel d. Melia Mitskavich 193-168, (3) Alex Nelson d. Amanda Decker 220-147, (4) Renee Nedza d. Allison Beimel 192-159.
Semi-Finals: Nedza d. (1) Chloe Fisher 168-133, Nelson d. Fisher 185-176.
Finals: Nedza d. Nelson 169-153. Third Place: Helsel d. Fisher 188-145.
Photo ID (From L to R): Chloe Fisher, Lindsey Helsel, Alex Nelson, Renee Nedza, Antonio Willar, Ryan Mitskavich, Dalton Doverspike, and Joel Prisk.
