Teri Haefke finishes with high average

AUSTINTOWN

For the second time in six seasons, Teri Haefke of Austintown finished with the highest average in the nation among the United States Bowling Congress’ Women’s Bowling Association members.

That’s only a couple million women members.

Can you say, Wow?

Haefke is certainly saying W.O.W. (Why, Oh Why?) because the achievement hasn’t translated into anything resembling a professional career.

The closest she’s gotten to cash is working, locally, for the last seven years at Huntington Bank.

“I want to get out there, but whether it happens will be the hard part,” Teri said of her aspirations. “I don’t know how I’ll do it.”

Haefke, by far, the area’s best female bowler, claims that languishing in her sport is not for lack of trying.

“I thought I had something, but it fell through,” she said of the result of an attempt at sponsorship procurement in the past.

Along with the presentation of an engraved award for her 239.1 average for the 2008-09 season, the 30-year-old Haefke was enjoying her victory in the Ohio USBC WBA Queens Tournament in Centerville in January.

Susan Mineo of Youngstown finished sixth and won $364.

To win the Ohio Queens, Haefke beat Shannon Pluhowsky, 223-213, in the title match. Haefke received $1,425, plus a paid entry into the 2011 Ohio Queens.

Pluhowsky is a 27-year-old pro from Dayton, who, most recently, finished runner-up to Michelle Feldman in the $25,000 title match of the PBA Women’s Series Showdown, an event which concluded the 2009-10 PBA Women’s Series season.

Still, one major championship event remains on the schedule for the current season — the U.S. Women’s Open at Cityview Lanes in Ft. Worth, Texas, May 6-12.

Last week, Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J. won the USBC Queens in El Paso, Texas.

Haefke’s 239.1 average was based on her 103-game participation in the Wedgewood Ladies Trio (now C-G Pro Shop/Wedgewood Ladies Trio) for the 2008-09 season.

Her initial national top-average achievement was for a 238 during the 2003-04 season — also in the Wedgewood Ladies Trio league. Coincidentally, Haefke also won the Ohio Queens event in 2004.

Haefke’s 239.1 was based on standard competition games bowled during the 2008-09 season, not the most recently completed 2009-10 year.

It was the fifth-highest overall average in the U.S. among all USBC members.

Haefke’s average submission started locally — in this case with Wedgewood Ladies Trio secretary Patty Schuley, then moved to the state level before reaching the national data keepers.

“Doing the national averages is time-consuming,” Schuley said of the process that involves compilation of a season’s numbers that may not be calculated for months.

“Ohio may not be notified until the following January that one of its bowlers had the top national average,” Schuley said.

Haefke’s skein of being the top average among Ohio women has now reached seven.

Unfortunately, Haefke, who also bowled in two other 2009-2010 leagues — Thursday Matchplay Ladies at Amron and Bob’s Bail Bonding at Wedgewood — missed the last few weeks of the season due to back pain.

“It’s something I’ve always ignored, but I twisted wrong and it pulled me,” she said of losing her footing at the foul line during a men’s state tournament in Akron the weekend after Easter.

“My foot stuck and it threw me a little. I felt it, for sure. I guess my body’s had enough of it. It kind of catches up to you.”

The problem was diagnosed as a degenerative/slipped disc in the lower back. But she hopes to be healthy for the women’s state tournament in May.

“It’s very frustrating,” Haefke said, not of her injury, but of her success, minus the monetary rewards because of inability to attract sponsorship.

She hinted at a possible reason for her stalled goal.

“I think, maybe, I didn’t put myself out there enough,” she said, hinting that self-marketing may have been a shortfall.

Has the opportunity to make a living as a pro bowler passed by?

“I’m still hoping. Maybe one day.”

Let’s hope Teri converts her despair into spares.