Ryan Skarritt, who started out on bumper lanes @ Collier's Lanes about a decade ago, brought his 217 average up a notch when he rolled the 5th 300 game of his bowling career in the Airway Eagle Mens League on February 25th. Not to be outdone, his little sister, Kelli, bowling at 300 Bowl, in the Sassy Ladies Womens League, rolled the first ever 300 of her career on March 2nd. Kelli aslo started out with the bumper program at Collier's, when she was just 4 years old. When I spoke to the family about her bowling, her Dad, Gary, opined that because he gave her extensive lessons (whereas son Ryan would only take a few pointers), that she had a great future in bowling and would give Ryan a run for his money. (I am taking some literary license here). Kelli also took lessons from Aleta Sill and Michelle Mullins, which had to step up her game a bit. She now carries 189 at 300 Bowl.
Their mother, Denise, who has been bowling for 30 yars, was quick to point out that her name, and Ryan's, were now on the wall at Airway (Kelli doesn't bowl here. or hers probably would be, too), however, Gary seemed to be having a bit of a problem putting 12 together, even though his average is pretty good, after 40 years of bowling.
Something tells me that we will be hearing more about Kelli, and Ryan, in the coming years. Either way, it is good bowling.
Rita Tokie - young at 88!
According to my sources, Louis Tokie, Jr., doesn't' rank bowling up there as a physical activity. However, during a special moment, for a special person (his mother) – at the genteel age of 88, Rita Tokie crushed the pins for a 226 game – which was 96 pins over average, Rita, who started bowling 35 years ago and used to bowl 3 times a week, including a ladies traveling league, is now down to one time a week. She bowls for the Goof Balls, in the Airway Sunbeams Ladies League, at Airway Lanes, in Waterford. While only bowling once a week, Rita says she still exercises every day for at least an hour, including weight lifting. Watching her take a four step approach and get the ball out on the lane, there is no doubt that her dedication has been paying off. While speaking with this spry lady, it came out that she has a bowling hero. That would be Rolla Zuck, the 103 year old bowler from Century Lanes, just down the street from Airway..
Rita moved here from Troy five years ago, and bowls in the Airway Sunbeams so she will have a certified average for the Michigan State ladies Tournament, and the Womens National Bowling Tournament. She says “I love my bowling”. Now, if only Rita could get Louis, Jr., out on the lanes for some pot games! .
Lisa McClanahan
On a cold winters night in November, the 26th to be exact, history was made at Airway Lanes, in Waterford Township, when Lisa McClenahan rolled an 808 series in league play. Lisa's previous claims to fame were the High Game in the Pontiac Womens City Tournament with a 278, and a 7th place finish in the Michigan Queens Tournament. When Lisa started the night with back to back 255's, her teammates were after her to “go for the triplicate”. As Lisa explained it, “everything felt so good that I knew I was going for an 800. All I needed was the front 11”. That “front eleven” ended up being a 298. What also makes this such an awesome feat is that Lisa was scheduled for arm surgery, for tendonitis, in August. The surgery would have kept her out for 6 weeks to 5 months. She postponed it to September, where she promptly rolled her first ever 300 game (and a 703 series) in the Airway Lady Masters league. The surgery was put off again, this time to October, and on the 15th, Lisa had a shot at another 800 but came up short with a 772. Surgery was postponed to December. Since the 808 series on the 26th (shot with a #15 G Force Super Nova), the surgery has been postponed indefinitely, because, as Lisa says, “I'm having a career year and someone is trying to tell me something – to not have the surgery”.
Lisa started bowling 35 years ago, at the old Fairgrounds in Milford, but admits to being 28 years old. This is quite a trick, because she has been married to her husband, John III, for 25 years, and they have two sons, John IV and Joe. Lisa took a couple of years off from bowling because of a back surgery. After that surgery, there was in issue as to if she would ever bowl again. As Lisa says, she likes to bowl and had to get back to it when she felt healthy enough. Her first year averaging 200+ was in 1994, and her lifetime high is 210. She is presently averaging 203 and 213 in two leagues at Airway. Her favorite thing to do is bowl. I think her 2nd favorite is to pick on Art, behind the counter at Airway.
Lisa has been bowling at airway for two years and with her quick wit and great attitude about life in general, has quickly become one of the staff's favorite people. She always smiles and is cordial to everyone and fun to be around.
Another reason that Lisa's 808 is “history” at Airway is that she rolled it in the Airway 1st Ladies League. This was the first ever bowling league at Airway Lanes, starting on September 5th, 1961. I have a league picture from the 62-63 season on the website at http://www.airwaylanes.com/home/miscphotos.html
