In case you haven’t heard by now, Desron Weatherspoon of Buffalo became part of an elite group of bowlers last Saturday (Jan. 18) when the 42-year-old right-hander registered a United States Bowling Congress-certified 900 series in the Saturday Elite League at AMF Airport Lanes.
Here is a link to the final ball and the celebration that followed:
Weatherspoon actually had FOUR consecutive perfect games, ending with a 300 to close out his Wednesday night league on Jan. 15.
“It still feels like a dream for me,” Weatherspoon said in a published report. “I was riding a wave in December, but I hit a little rough patch this month. So, I thought it was over, and it was good while it lasted.”
He now has 19 perfect games and seven 800-plus series.
For the record, once it becomes official, Weatherspoon’s 900 series would be the 41st in USBC history – and the seventh by a New York bowler. John Martorella Sr. of Rochester is included in that list, having rolled his 900 on April 12, 2012, at Domm’s in Rochester.
While Weatherspoon has become a national figure, read on for some noteworthy local bowling exploits this past week.
BATAVIAN SHIELDS ROLLS 300 IN 60-AND-OVER EVENT
Batavia resident Scott Shields, a former Genesee Region USBC Senior Masters champion, rolled a 300 game on Sunday on his way to reaching the quarterfinals of the 60-and-Over Tour presented by Batavia Downs Gaming tournament at Transit Lanes in Williamsville.
Shields, a 61-year-old righty, strung 12 straight strikes in the middle game of the three-game qualifying round. His 687 series was the sixth best qualifying score (16 bowlers advanced to match play).
Video of Scott Shields who rolled a 300 game on Sunday
In match play, Shields defeated Rochester’s Mike Feola, 233-229, in the first round before dropping a 214-172 decision to Jack Jurek of Lackawanna, a four-time champion on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour. Still, Shields earned $185 for his efforts.
Jurek, who runs the pro shop at Transit Lanes, qualified with an 814 series – just the third 800 ever on the 60-and-Over Tour (Scott Lucas of Rochester, 834; Paul Spiotta of Batavia, 802).
Ron Ciminelli of Hamburg captured the tournament’s $510 top prize by defeating John Lagree of Niagara Falls, 258-226, in the title match. Lagree, who upended Jurek in the semifinals, won $400.
Jurek and Mike Faliero of West Seneca each won $275 for reaching the semifinals.
The event drew 65 bowlers. The next 60-and-Over stop is set for 11 a.m. Feb. 23 at Medina Lanes.
BIG SCORES AT OAK ORCHARD, MEDINA LANES
Twenty-two-year-old right-hander Tegan Miller recorded his first USBC-certified 300 game on Monday night in the Sneezy’s Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl.
Miller started with 237 and 207 on lanes 5-6 before rolling the perfect game for a 742 series.
He has improved dramatically over the past five seasons – going from a 120 average in 2019-20 to 187 last season. With his big series last Monday night, Miller now is averaging better than 200.
Video of Tegan Miller- his first USBC-certified 300 game
In the Sunday Rolloffs League at Medina Lanes, righty Hayden Allis, 28, fired an 802 series with games of 257-268-277.
Allis now has five 800 series to go along with his six 300 games.
PAUL TOWNSEND MEMORIAL DRAWS 44 TEAMS
Batavia bowlers led the way at the second Paul Townsend Memorial three-person handicap no-tap tournament at Mancuso Bowling Center on Jan. 18.
The team of Rick Underhill, Fred Gravanda and Jim Pursel placed first with a 2,430 score, edging Mike Johnson, Scott Shields and Pursel by five pins. First place was worth $800 and second place was worth $400.
Geoff Harloff, Gravanda and Mike Lambert finished third with 2,404 ($300) while Gregg Wolff, Jerry Currier and Bruce Kraus placed fourth with 2,402 ($225).
Other cashers were Albion area bowlers Shannon Popovich, Rick Daniels and Tim Talbot with 2,401 ($200) and Batavia area bowlers Devon Leach, Josh Elliott and Adam Philp with 2,353 ($180).
Proceeds went to benefit Crossroads House in Batavia. The tournament is dedicated to the memory of Paul Townsend, a longtime Batavia bowler and youth coach, who passed away on Sept. 27, 2023.