Liberty’s Simon, Fitch’s Condrick roll 300

Several high school bowlers had top performances recently, including perfect games by Liberty’s Marissa Simon and Fitch’s Kyle Condrick and a school-record 538 two-game series by Hubbard’s Brittany Ferrara.

Also, Hubbard senior David Clayton had the area high school season’s first 300 on Nov. 28.

Coincidentally, three of the All-American Conference’s top four division leaders are Simon, Ferrara and Condrick.

Leading the “Top-Ten Sheet” released by Lakeview A.D. and AAC liaison for bowling Mike DeToro are:

Champion’s Zach Zigmont with 90 points among AAC National boys, Simon with 100 points among AAC National girls, Condrick with 73 points (AAC American boys) and Ferrara with 91 points (AAC American girls).

Dates

Round 1 of the AAC tournament took place last week; round 2 is to be complete by Thursday; and round 3 by Feb. 15.

Heading into the semifinals, here are the matchups:

AAC National boys — No. 1 Girard vs. No. 3 Liberty; No. 4 Lakeview vs. No. 2 Champion; AAC National girls — No. 1 Lakeview vs. No. 4 Liberty; No. 2 Girard vs. No. 3 LaBrae; AAC American boys — No. 1 Struthers vs. No. 4 Howland; No. 2 Austintown Fitch vs. No. 3 Canfield; AAC American girls — No. 1 Fitch vs. No. 4 Niles; No. 2 Hubbard vs. No. 3 Howland.

As of Jan. 30, Hubbard’s boys team was 2-8 in AAC American Division matches.

“I can’t say, record-wise, it’s been a good season, but a lot of good things are happening,” Hubbard coach Ron Killian said.

“When you see kids getting better, that’s what we’re here for. Our kids have improved over the season and that’s the exciting part. We’re there to win, but when we see kids improve, that’s encouraging. It’s not just about bowling, it’s about life experiences and learning, too.”

Aside from David Clayton, who averaged 203 last season, Hubbard senior Jacob Runion is doing well, as is sophomore Mitch Cohol.

“We’ve had a couple underclassmen step up and hold their own,” Killian said.

Of Simon, Killian said: “I’ve seen Marissa for all her career at Liberty. When you see them have a perfect game, you know that someone’s out there working hard.”

PBA Hubbard

PBA Hubbard Open co-organizer Jim Bryant released details of the Bell-Wick-based event, more aptly named the PBA Hubbard Open presented by the Trumbull County Tourism Bureau, which is scheduled March 16-18.

On March 1, a Friday, a clinic is set at 4 p.m. featuring PBA champion Ryan Ciminelli. Topics will include the mental and physical game of bowling, lane play and ball technology. Instruction on the lane will follow with Ryan and other PBA regional winners Nick Kokenos and Brett Spangler. Cost is $50. For more, call 534-1179.

Also on March 1, the “Quality Inn & Suites Qualifier” will be at 8 p.m. Entry is $60.

woodchoppers

Elsewhere, Brianna Ozias’ 286-731 paced Woodchoppers at Wedgewood on Jan. 18.

operation Blessing

Camelot’s Monday Senior Mixed Doubles League raised $80 to benefit Operation Blessing, secretary Nadine Heaton reported.

The league responded to the project that former league member Betty Brindiar headed as a volunteer for over 20 years.

“I thought that was pretty fantastic,” Heaton said of the collection by her league’s 19 members.

Heaton explained that Operation Blessing is a food distribution service at the Canfield Presbyterian Church and provides food to the needy.

Brindiar passed away on Jan. 9.

MUSOLINO

It should be mentioned that former Youngstowner Nick Musolino Jr. died on Jan. 15 in Nevada at age 66.

According to his obituary, Musolino operated a bowling alley in Henderson, Nev. for 10 years. He moved to Las Vegas in the 1970s and was a retired casino supervisor.

John Bassetti writes about bowling for The Vindicator. Email him at bassetti@vindy.com.