Smethport’s Wayne Putnam and Jacob Amster Place in Youth Bowling Tournament

Smethport Web — by Theresa Putnam

Wayne Putnam and Jacob Amster of Smethport.The DuBois Lanes hosted the second District 4 Youth Gold Pin Youth Bowling Tournament Sunday afternoon with Wayne Putnam of Cyclone (series of 640) claiming the title.

Twenty-two bowlers bowled a three-game qualifying round with the top five bowlers matching up in the step ladder finals.

Ryan Mitskavich of DuBois was the No. 1 seed with a 662 series. Mitskavich and No. 3 seeded Jacob Amster of Smethport, with a series of 631 also tied for the high game of the day with a 258.

The day’s first match pitted DuBois’ Thomas Grecco, No. 5, against No. 4 Brandon Orsich of Clearfield. Orsich outscored Grecco 235-210. Orsich moved onto the second match against Amster and won by a score of 222-156.

Orsich’s run came to an end in match three as Wayne Putnam of Smethport put on a four-strike streak in the middle of the game to win by a score of 211-181. This set up the finals with Putnam building up a comfortable lead on Mitskavich early. Mitskavich fought back to force Putnam to make a good count in the final frame. Putnam left a split, but was able to pick up one pin to score the 185-183 first place win.

The Gold Pin Tournament was set up by Clearfield youth coach, Don Barr, with girls qualifying in their leagues by bowling a 550 series and boys a 600 series. Each district house was also afforded one non-qualifying position for this tournament. Barr is looking to expand on this tournament in the future, and possibly making this a scholarship earning tournament.

The next tournament will be held in the spring of 2014 at Clearfield Lanes. District 4 bowling centers include Bradford, Brookville, Clearfield, DuBois, Emporium, Kane, Philipsburg and St. Marys.