Cupan’s 738 in district spotlight

Girard High’s Clayton Cupan had the second-best series of 738 during the recent Ohio High School athletic Association district tournament.

Cupan, a freshman, was the lone area boy who advanced individually.

The state tournament for boys was Friday at Tiki Lanes in Lancaster while the girls were in action at Tiki Saturday.

Cupan finished 35th Friday after rolling 596.

At the district in Wickliffe, the 15-year-old Cupan rolled a career-best 269 single before adding 235 and 234. The 738 was also his highest.

“He stepped it up big-time,” said Calvin Cupan, Clayton’s dad.

During the sectional at Camelot Lanes, Cupan had the highest set of 676.

Although Girard didn’t qualify as a team to Wickliffe, Clayton bowled in the company of coaches Mike Mikulich and Bob Parillo, Clayton’s mother, Michelle; dad, Calvin; girlfriend, Amber Kalna; brother, James; and sister, Casie.

Clayton had a season average of 184 to help the Indians to a 10-8 regular season record.

A year ago, Clayton was bowling the Saturday morning juniors league at Kay Lanes.

“Going to state is a big jump from this time last year,” Clayton said.

Trisha Bernard competed at Lancaster over the weekend for Niles.

She is one of five seniors who bowled their last matches; the others were Jimmy Altier, Larissa Cantola, Earon Denovchek and Heather Errett.

The Hubbard boys team, which won the sectional, will be honored at its banquet at The Gentry on March 18. The accomplishments of the six seniors will be acknowledged.

In 2006-2007, the Eagles made a state appearance and placed ninth.

At the district meet a week ago, Hubbard missed qualifying for state by 57 pins.

One of the seniors on the Francis Zitnik-coached team is captain and three-year letterman Matt Berlin.

In New Castle, Rob Alexander of Greenville, Pa., won the seventh Mickey Michalojko Memorial Scratch Tournament at Colonial Lanes.

Alexander took top honors in the event that matched 144 of the best bowlers in the Tri-State area. They were competing for a guaranteed first prize of more than $1,800.

Alexander averaged 239 for four qualifying games, then added two-game pin-fall of 459. The other finalists were runner-up Danny Guerrieri of Youngstown, Mike Sipple of Meyersdale, Pa., and Jim Petzel of Pittsburgh.

Only 11 pins separated the four after the first game of the finals. However, Alexander elevated his game by firing a 251 in the second game to capture the title.

Don Bagdassarian had 805 in Belchyk/Ferkula Classic at Holiday as did Francis Zitnik in Kelley-Robb Funeral Home Classic at Bell-Wick Feb. 28.

Mike Dohar’s 300 paced Boardman Businessmen Feb. 12, while Sam Carissimi and Larry Sauerwein also had perfect games in Sure Shot Communications at Camelot Feb. 20.

On Feb. 23, Tim Fitzgerald had 300-700 in Parker at Holiday and Guy DePizzo Jr. matched it in DePizzo Sausage at West Side.

Marla Chicase rolled 719 and DeCinda Taylor turned in 703 to lead Thursday Night Matchplay at Amron Feb. 14.

Francis Pro Shop and Mulholland Roofing were third-quarter winners of the Kelley-Robb Funeral Home Classic in the Kelley and Robb divisions, respectively.

At West Side, Jack’s Auto Body I won C&G Pro Shop’s third quarter.

The 16th senior tournament of the Youngstown-Salem U.S. Bowling Congress’ Women’s Association will be March 15-16 at Holiday Bowl.

Entry fee of $15 should be made payable to the Youngstown-Salem USBC Women’s Senior Tournament and mailed to Betty Kana, 2936 Eddie St., Youngstown, 44509 before Friday.

Entry forms are available at area bowling centers.

Each division’s winner will receive first-place prize money and a paid entry into the 2009 senior tournament.

Sciarra Siding and Winner Transportation Systems are co-sponsors.

The 2008 Greater Youngstown Bowling Association’s Hall of Fame selection committee will decide on inductees April 19.

Hall of Fame forms are available at area bowling establishments and at the GYBA office at 7255 Glendale Ave. in Boardman. The last day to submit applications for candidates is March 17.

The Hall of Fame selections will be honored at the annual awards dinner on June 1.

Note: Condolences to the family of Fred Burns, a Pittsburgh native who attended Youngstown State University. It’s tough to see an old Sig Tau go.

XJohn Bassetti writes about bowling for The Vindicator. Write to him at bassetti@vindy.com.