So, you’re sitting in a bar sipping your favorite cocktail and your wife says, “You need to get a hobby.”
Karen Bozilesky made that statement to her husband, Brian, while at Rip’s Tavern inside Bar-Don Lanes. Brian thought about it, went into the bowling alley and told the staff he wanted to join his first sanctioned league.
That was a little over a year ago. An amazing 108 games into his bowling career, the 53-year-old dropped his first-career 300 in the NESW League at the Palmer Township center.
“I filled in on a team for 33 games last year and knew absolutely no one,” said the Palmer Township resident. “This season, I’m on a new team, and I didn’t know anyone I was bowling with.”
Bozilesky has made a pretty good impression. He averaged 188 for a third of a season.
Bozilesky is a throwback, because his arsenal includes a plastic spare ball and a Hammer 2.0 Black Widow Hybrid. How did a new bowler choose that piece of equipment?
“I researched the most popular ball and bought it off Amazon,” he said.
Bozilesky came close to shooting 300 a couple of weeks ago. He saw the front nine on the board but failed on his primary mission, which is to stay aggressive.
Last week, it took some time to get there again. He opened with games of 197 and 214.
“It was a decent start, but I really didn’t make any adjustments,” Bozilesky said. “The last game, it all came together and my wife was there to watch. I started with eight in a row, and I kept telling myself to stay aggressive. I really wasn’t all that nervous when I went up for the 10th one.”
Bozilesky remained aggressive as he charged into uncharted waters. His ball speed, release and hitting the same mark were keys as the 11th rack fell.
“I felt there were people watching and just kept my head down. I told myself this one was either going to strike or not. I wanted to make a really good shot,” he said. “I knew off my hand it was going to be a strike. When they fell, I turned around and gave a fist pump.”
He said to his wife, “Babe did you see that?”
Her answer: “No, I stopped looking after four or five frames.”
Bozilesky rapid climb has his average near the 192 mark as he finishes his first full season. His 711 is also his first 700.
An avid golfer, Bozilesky’s next goal is to drain a hole-in-one.
Walker strikes at Steel City
Nicole Walker opened her night in the Gary Piripavel Memorial League at Steel City with her sixth perfect game. She became the seventh woman with 300 this season. Walker finished with 216 and 225 for 741 to lead the women for the week.
There were 11 300s, growing the season total to 290 and pulling to within one of tying the area record set in 2021-22.
Matt Groff scored the first 300 of his career at Bar-Don in the Howell Plumbing Mixed League. Gene Lattig racked up his 27th 300 during a 780 in the Friday Night Unwanted League. Scott Kolumber recently took down Hampton for 300.
Barry Gangwer joined Walker at Steel City with 300-747. Jason Long tallied Skylanes’ lone 300 while leading the center’s series list with 787. Terry Steinmetz and Maverick Ebert each strung 12 at Blue Valley. Ebert finished with 763 in the Friday Scratch Trios League, and Steinmetz posted 745 in the Wednesday Mixed circuit.
At Earl Bowl in Earlington, Jared Kelley posted his fifth reported 300 of the season en route to the week’s top series of 816. Stephen Hunsicker joined the 800 club with an even 800. Scott Keeler rounded out the week’s perfectos with his ninth as part of a 794 set.
Aaron Heckman topped 800 at Blue Valley. He went 275-248-279–802 in the Friday Scratch Trios. Colleen Bruder recorded an even 700 at Earl Bowl in Earlington.
Jake Blatz led a small but mighty Junior contingent. He rolled a 749 match at Blue Valley. Logan Tilton continued to wield a hot hand. This time, he recorded 735 and 700. Ethan Zmyewski topped Bel-Pike with a 734.
Lukosius wins tour title
Karsyn Lukosius led qualifying and downed Mallory Clark, 225-182, to win the PWBA Eastern Pennsylvania Regional title in the event held last weekend at Steel City.
The pro event paid 18 spots and a crew from the area picked up the final three checks. Leyna Kratzer mixed it up with the east coast’s best and tied for 16th with Krista Sandt. Both posted matching 1,624 eight-game totals. One pin behind the duo was Jenna Henderson in 18th.
Nicole Walker missed a check by eight sticks in 19th. Erika Poandl, Shannon Quick, Colleen Bruder and Sarah Doyle were other area participants.
Weekly bowling scores
300 games
Scott Kolumber, Hampton
Gene Lattig, Bar-Don
Brian Bozilesky, Bar-Don
Matt Groff, Bar-Don
Jared Kelley, Earl Bowl Earlington
Scott Keeler, Earl Bowl Earlington
Terry Steinmetz, Blue Valley
Maverick Eberts, Blue Valley
Jason Long, Skylanes
Nicole Walker, Steel City
Barry Gangwer, Steel City
Season total: 290
Top 10 series
Women
Nicole Walker, Steel City, 741
Colleen Bruder, Earl Bowl Earlington, 700
Colleen Bruder, Earl Bowl Earlington, 696
Chrissy Kulp, Earl Bowl Earlington, 694
Emily Weiss, Earl Bowl Earlington, 670
Jenna Garman, Steel City, 664
Jenna Garman, Jordan, 656
Jennifer Scott, Steel City 646
Jessica Teufel, Earl Bowl Earlington, 644
Ashley Nedley, Steel City, 644
Men
Jared Kelley, Earl Bowl Earlington, 816
Aaron Heckman, Blue Valley, 802
Stephen Hunsicker, Earl Bowl Earlington, 800
John Poandl, Earl Bowl Quakertown, 795
Jared Kelley, Earl Bowl Earlington, 794
Jason Long, Skylanes, 787
Jim Ullman, Earl Bowl Earlington, 785
Jason Scherff, Earl Bowl Quakertown, 780
Gene Lattig, Bar-Don, 780
Jamaal Wells, Skylanes, 769
Bar-Don Lanes (Palmer Township)
Women – Jacquelyn Torres 549, Diane Wittmer 520, Kendra Getz 515, Diane Turner 509, Ashley Correll 505
Men – Gene Lattig 780-700, Denny Hardick Jr. 740, Steve Price 736, Ed Zupko 727, Stephen Santoro 719, Dwayne Rehrig Jr. 712, Brian Bozilesky 711, Rob Laubach 699, Art Mifsud 693, Mike Burd 690, Kyle Schadler 689, Tom Prestia 688, Dave Laubach 682, Dave Fairfield Jr. 679, Brian Dilley 672, Shane Sottosanti 668, Scott Altemus 664, Victor Polizzi 661, Kyle Christman 655, Joe Re 654, Doug Miller 653
Seniors - Eddie Lechiski 586, Frank DiFilipantonio 574, Ron Leonard 546, Paul Arnold 543, Howard Boss 540, Mike Maenza 538, Jeff Becker 528, Art Altamura 520, Bob Westing 519, Pat Doncsecz 516, Joe Beneziano 507, Mike Daigler 504, Roger Hazelton 503
Bel-Pike Lanes (Belvidere)
Women - Nichole Bullivant 519-581, Debbi Uhler 534, Joanne Hockenbury 516, Tina Rumfield 503-511, Kelly Smith 519, Julie Sager 530, Melissa Burd 539
Men – Shannon Parsons 633, Ryan Pittenger 613, Brandon Berger 607, Daniel Weghofer 730, Willie Osmun 708, Tom Kieffer 717, Bob Tims 618, Jason Stout 691, Melvin Black Jr 616, Bob Delmonte 619
Seniors - Joe Tarsi 507, Merle Taylor 505, Bob Sheldon 542, Mary Schwenderman 460, Joan McPeek 418, Jean Coviello 474, Marilyn Bowers 442, Dolores Ammon 450-437, Cathryn Lagerman 469, Carmen Perez 489, Kathy Porter 454, Ellen Gulini 414
Blue Valley Lanes (Wind Gap)
Women – Amber Dehaven 643-604, Debra Uhler 618, Juice Ossou 590, Kendra Getz 589, Jessie Deemer 554, Kelly Kunigus 554, Mich Bosques 553, Brittney Miller 552, Angie Knecht 542, Eileen Kirk 541, Monika Hanft 539, Vicki Mack 535, Alice Frable 534, Maryanne Moroch 533, Kim Smith 532, Melissa McCarthy 529, Dk Stout 525, Mindy Graham 522, Nadine Scheller 522, Kathleen Hartenstine 519, Linda Bryfogle 517, Megan Gudzinas 522, Beverly Repsher 509, Rebecca Culbertson 508
Men – Aaron Heckman 802, Maverick Ebert 763, Mike Fritz 755-690, Charlie Wojcik 753, Art Misfud 753, John Raychel 749, Terry Steinmetz 745, Mason Pados 740, Jeff Frable 734, Caleb Heckman 712, Jordan Tittle 711, Dave Lieberman 702, Larry Riese 700-696, Bob Patti 700, Tyler Heckman 698, Brandon Zellner 694, Bill Dailey 690, Jason Mack 689, Ted Eiber 685, Jim Stem 682
Seniors – Jay Van horn 761, Les Sharp 688-668, Al Woodward 687, Kim Scheller 675, Vince Bruno 671, Kevin Kerrick 670, Dave Seyfried 667, Ken Carifi 663, Steve Miller 662, Donnell Grantham 658, Gary Tunison 649, Steve Hackl 648, Joe Re 644, Al Webb 641, Ron High 639, Dave Frushon 637, Walt Getz 633, Rich Kandrat 630, Fay Knecht 501, Cathy Bruno 491
Earl Bowl (Earlington)
Women - Colleen Bruder 700-696, Chrissy Kulp 694, Emily Weiss 670, Jessica Teufel 644, Jennifer Lehman 639, Trish Snyder 635, Liz Hunsicker 626, Arlene Wolfinger 596, Yvonne Jones 593, Meghan Williams 591
Men - Jared Kelley 816, Stephen Hunsicker 800, Jared Kelley 794, Jim Ullman 785, Scott Keeler 768, Jeremy Hilbert 753, Patrick Kennedy 749, Nathan Thompson 737, Todd Shotwell 737, Randy Waite 731, Eric Kochersperger 725, Jim Ullman 725, Luke Scalfaro 724, Bryan Casey 723, Eric Kuhn 720, Kevin Keeler 718
Earl Bowl (Quakertown)
Women - Ellie Funk 619, Linda Wheeler 595, Mary Kaiser 573, Carol Slifer 564, Nicole Durand 559, Betsy Christman 532, Kelsey Reader 524, Linda Jencson 521, Maggie Lorah 520
Men - John Poandl 795, Jason Scherff 780, Derek Scherff 760, Owen Darby 735, Matt Seyfert 730, Brian Foellner 720, Randy Shedal 717, Chris Roehner 695, Cody Johnson 693, Chris Kramer 688, Mike Weil 676, Shane Grimes 676, Steve Santarlas Jr. 675, Matt Rush 670, Evan Myers 666, Jim Ficarra 665, Matt Reimer 662
Seniors - Randy Southwick 671, Keith Schaffer 667, Lale Byers 630, Ken Quire 603, Bob Myers 594, Wayne Thompson 591, Kim Ziegler 577, Lamont Christman 573
Hampton Lanes (Northampton)
Women - Tara Whitehead 628
Men - Barry Weinhold 762, Kevin Trinkle 738, Kevin Hamm 718, Andrew Armellino 706, AJ Tomcics 701, Blayne Tasillo 701, Scott Kolumber 716
Lehigh Valley Clubmen’s
Men - William Phillips 743, Peter Bresnak 621
Lehigh Valley Keglers Cup
Women – Jenna Garman 656, Nicole Walker 609
Men - Calvin Neff 719, Matt Walsh 699, Andrew Kish III 682, Ross Winiarz 680, Jim Patten 674, Tim Roof 669, Todd Tenetylo 665, Matt Comerro 655, Bob Palulis 652, Lance Berghold 647, Dan Schriner 640
National Sokols (Bethlehem)
Men – Tim Stuart Jr. 744, Neal Hamburger 732, Jeff Bosak 731, Jim Christman 680, Brad Stuckey 674, Ray Ballinger 641, Brian Szoke 641, Jacob Christman 628, Jed Ballinger 625, Lovell Bivens 623, Marty Santiago 610, Micah Flores 610
Nazareth Holy Family
Women - Judy Cappelli 564, Ruth O’Connor 544, Mary Ann Young 536, Charlene McNally 525, Ashley LaBar 518, Mary Ann Thomas 512, Paige Bain 510
Men - Mike Balogh 748, John Miller 735, Terry Heckman 719, Jeremy Metzgar 702, Jon Nagy 688, Mike Hawk 665, Cole Haydt 657, Kyle Metz 648-618, Scott Altemuse 645, Brian Yetter 642, Jon Broad 632, Brian Petresky 626, Jason Stocker 625, Dale Yetter 615, Mike Fox 611, Jules Miknyoczki 609, Andy Toth 608, Gary Jerabek 604, Carey Hawk 603
Skylanes (East Stroudsburg)
Women - Doreen Setzer 638, Sandie Borngesser 634, Nichole Bullivant 608, Debra Uhler 600, Joanne Feldman 584, Billie Wickham 573, Meredith Smith 556, Leeann Trimboli 552, Lori Verrella 550
Men - Jason Long 787, Jamaal Wells 769, John Kain 741, Jason Cummings 746-738, Joe Fiume 739-730, Caleb Heckman 730, Chris Benner 717, Nick Berger 717, Bill Miller 715, Dave Berger 713, Rob Poorman 712, Brayden Herbst 710, Dylan Mcelheney 707, Hiram Riffas 702, Mike Oprishko III 968, Scott Whidden 697, Christian Jones 695, Mervin Abrams 696, Anthony Walsh 688, Mike Roberts 687, Ryan Schaller 685, Colin Jones 683, Rich Facyson 679
Steel City (Bethlehem)
Women - Nicole Walker 741, Jenna Garman 664, Jennifer Scott 646, Ashley Nedley 644-599, Charity Cruz 641, Barbie Harris 629, Jess Garzio 628, Trina Weinberg 626, Sarah Doyle 625-601, Eva Tilley 619, Jessica Palmeri 618, Jenna Henderson 584, Heather Jacobs 591, Kris Polster 560, Olivia Cicero 553, Kimberly Binyard 552, Darcy Szabo 542, Gina Luszik 532, Rebecca Sager 531, Melissa Gillenwater 518, Stepahnie Wean 510
Men – Rich Lamonth 765, Zakee Ibrahim 762, Chuckie Gillenwater 752, Marc Newcomer 751, Anthony Johnston 748, Barry Gangwer 747, Terry Heckman 743, Nick Cassium 742, Tim Butz 741, Larry Fricker Jr. 739, Aaron Smith 738, Ron Wynkoop 734, Brent Tishuk 733, Paul Koba 727, Hunter Machin 722, Dustin Rego 722, Owen Darby 721, Spencer Metzgar 721, Cincere Holmes 721, Miguel Bermudez 718, Bryan Ramsey 717, Zach Smolin 716, Tom Zellers 711, Brett Strohl 710, Chris Slater 707
Seniors - Bill Henderson 705, Paul Berkowitz 696, Edwin Harris Sr. 686, Dave Hudock 634, Al Webb 629, Jim Bendekovitz 627, Gene Lattig Sr. 614, Eric Wilmot 609
Junior scores
Bantams
Bel-Pike - Sydney Vande Vrede 103, Cherish Jones 68
Blue Valley - Kolten Handwerk 166-146, Dexter Grandia 87, Anjali Negi 91-76, Brooklyn Kutz 109-90
Preps
Bel-Pike - Aubrey Haschak 103, Weston Vande Vrede 169
Blue Valley - Sebastian Brown 174, Brian Ashmore 158, Gavin Kutz 168-158, Kaitlyn Phillips 131-113, Reese Bender 130-97, Drayden Byrd 158, Jesse Gruver 154
Juniors
Bel-Pike - Zach Davis 118, Amoura Caul 133, Mitchell Perry 138
Blue Valley - Tanner Laubach 254-231, Logan Tilton 267-243, DeShawn Byrd, Jr. 228-203, Zoey Strouse 223-189
Classics
Bel-Pike - Sara Haschak 211, Tanner Haschak 160, Ethan Zmyewski 278, Landin Stout 211
Blue Valley - Jake Blatz 279-266, Gavin Mack 224, RJ Kogan 212, Kelsey Laubach 175-161, CJ Cornell 235, Keagan Siegfried 205
Girls 500 and over
Bel-Pike - Sara Haschak 529
Blue Valley - Zoey Strouse 591-524, Kelsey Laubach 504
Boys 550 and over
Bel-Pike - Ethan Zmyewski 734, Landin Stout 573
Blue Valley – Logan Tilton 735-700, Jake Blatz 749-622, Tanner Laubach 639-618, Gavin Mack 568-563, CJ Cornell 687, DeShawn Byrd, Jr. 673
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Dave Goodman can be reached at badgood2@aol.com.