John Bassetti \ Bowling Kozbial had tough ‘Cure’ job, but tourney was big success

As “Bowl for the Cure” tournament manager, Carol Kozbial has a job that was a bit more difficult this year.

Although the preliminaries and preparation for the event at Bell-Wick Bowl Feb. 6-8 were done, Kozbial’s work at tournament time still demanded her attention.

But the death of her mother on Feb. 3 put the task on the back burner.

Still, the Youngstown Women’s Bowling Association’s fundraiser finished successfully.

“It takes a lot of putting together at the end, but it was emotionally conflicting,” Kozbial said of the week of the tournament.

While dealing with her grieving, Kozbial managed to stay involved with the silent auction segment of the Cure.

“I was in and out, but it was a nice distraction, it was good to be busy with it,” Kozbial said of day of the auction.

“Even though her mother passed away this year, she made sure every thing went smoothly for the tournament,” said Cure participant Gerry Millerleile. “We all owe Carol a big thanks for all she does to raise money for cancer every year.”

Kozbial, Hubbard High’s girls bowling team coach, a YMBA Hall of Fame member and a former YWBA secretary, said that 155 couples participated in the event.

“That’s the most we’ve every had,” Kozbial said of the turnout that raised over $5,000 for various causes, including the scholarship fund of the American Cancer Society’s Mahoning chapter, Hospice of the Valley and the Jessica Moorhead scholarship fund.

Kozbial believes the “Cure” may have been more successful because it didn’t conflict with Super Bowl weekend, as was the case in recent years.

“Although we didn’t do it on purpose, I think moving the date worked out better.”

Kozbial said that Bell-Wick was nearly three-quarters full for the event.

Around the bowling circuit, Mark Ferrara’s 300-799 led Spiech Classic at Bell-Wick on Feb. 2 when Adam Barta also had 300 and Rich Berry a 296.

Lauren Baker had 300-749 in Ladies at Holiday on Feb. 2.

Joan Woodley’s 748 topped the 700 sets of six men in Holiday Variety Mixed on Jan. 31. Woodley had a 254, then a pair of 247s.

Daughter-mother 705s were rolled by Teri Haefke and Tammy Haefke in Thursday Night Matchplay at Amron during week 19 of 30.

Carol Flannery’s progressive games of 144, 145 and 146 blossomed into a 435 in Thursday Night Gadabouts at Bell-Wick on Feb. 5.

bassetti@vindy.com