John Bassetti | Bowling YSU men’s team wins Ebonite Classic event

Youngstown State University’s bowling club rolled 8,230 to win the $1,000 first prize at the conclusion of the Ebonite International Classic at McKinley Lanes in Niles recently.

Seven different men’s teams representing five universities competed for $2250 in scholarship money during the Ebonite, an event presented by the YSU club team.

Youngstown State took an early lead and stayed in first place throughout.

Since the club’s existence, the YSU men had never won or cashed in a tournament. The format comprised four individual games and 20 Baker games.

Runner-up was Toledo “A” with 7944 ($600), followed by third-place Ohio State-Gray with 7671 ($400). Ferris State University rolled 7613 to claim fourth and $250.

The tournament’s high average was nailed down by YSU’s Robert Harvischak, whose games of 266, 196, 215 and 238 worked out to 228.75. For his achievement, Harvischak received a new Ebonite ball.

Kent State University was another participating team.

Comfort Inn & Suites in Austintown was the host hotel for the visitors.

Greenville native Larry Verble won the 8th annual Mickey Michalojko Memorial Scratch Tournament at Colonial Lanes in New Castle recently.

For the second year in a row, the event was sold out as 144 of the best bowlers in the Tri-State area competed for a guaranteed first-place prize of over $2,000.

Verble captured the title by averaging 239 for four games of qualifying before posting a two-game pinfall of 473.

Rounding out the final four bowlers were runner-up Dean Billings of Rootstown, defending champion Rob Alexander of Greenville and Glenn Karsnak of New Castle.

Only 18 pins separated Verble and Billings after the first game of the finals, but Verble prevailed.

Pizza Joe’s was the main sponsor. Proceeds from the tournament and additional monies raised via local businesses will fund a scholarship in Mickey Michalojko’s name.

This year, $2,100 in scholarship money was distributed to area junior bowlers. Since its inception, $10,500 has been awarded.

Michalojko was the longtime proprietor of Colonial and Shenango Bowl-A-Way, establishing a 50-plus year career in the bowling industry, as well as being one of New Castle’s top bowlers in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. He was elected to the New Castle Bowling Hall of Fame in 1973 and the Lawrence County Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.

Cindy J. Thomas had 289-278-241— 808 and Danielle Guerrieri 702 in Variety Mixed at Holiday. It is believed to be only the second 800 for a woman at Holiday.

Sue Mineo’s 729-961 led Wedgewood Ladies Trio for both three games and four on Feb. 24. Annie Bartoletti’s 276 was top game.

Stella Cattoi had the Thursday Night Gadabouts’ first 700 of the season at Bell-Wick on Feb. 19.

Cattoi’s 702 comprised games of 235-254-213. At the time, her average was 178.

It’s only the third 700 in the league’s history, said secretary Gerry Millerleile.