The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Junior Gold outcome called a success
Bowling alleys in Wickliffe and Mentor helped host 3,500 participants in the Junior Gold tournament earlier this month. Event organizers and participants look back on the event, which was called a success.
Challenging lane conditions proved to be a tough assignment for local youth bowlers at the 2017 Junior Gold Championships.
More than 3,500 participants tested their skills July 15-22 at seven centers in Northeast Ohio, including Wickliffe Lanes,
Game of Wickliffe and Game of Mentor. They came from as far away as Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico to compete in six divisions — Under-12, -15 and -20 for boys and girls.
“I wish there was something like this when I was a kid,” said Marshall Holman, CBS Sports Network bowling analyst with 22 PBA Tour titles. “The sport has changed so much. The balls are so much stronger. The bowlers are part athletes and part mad scientists when it comes to having a ball work. Today, if you don’t have the right ball in your hand it’s difficult to compete. It’s important to match up your equipment with your game. It was more about making the ball work in the ’70s and ’80s.”
“The tournament was amazing. It was a great event,” said Randy Gierman, co-general manager of Wickliffe Lanes. “The talent of the kids bowling here was unbelievable. This was a great family atmosphere. For a lot of families, Junior Gold is their family vacation.
Mike Irwin, partner of Game Entertainment Management, praised the youth bowlers for the efforts.
“Working with kids is the most satisfying thing you can do in the game,” Irwin said. “We absolutely plan to bid in 2019 to host the Junior Gold Championships again in 2021. This is a great event for the Cleveland area.
Irwin also complimented the staff at his three participating centers for their hard work and dedication to the tournament.
“I would give us a 90 out of 100,” he said. “But, I’m a tough grader. There were a few things we could have done a little better.”
Dean Vargo, 19, of Willowick and a South High School graduate, was the top finisher from Lake County. Vargo made the first two cuts in the Under-20 boys division.
He tied for 31st place and was the top placer in his division from Ohio. He bowled 26 games and averaged 196 for the tournament.
“I thought I bowled pretty well,” said Vargo. “After four days of competition, I ran out of gas mentally and physically. I gave it all I had. It was a learning experience. Hopefully, I will be a little more prepared for next year’s tournament in Dallas.”
Local bowlers making the first cut in their respective divisions were Michael Wiese of Mentor in Under-15 boys, Charlie Ball of Mentor and Casey Cohagan of Fairport Harbor in Under-20 boys and Katelyn Dickerson of Painesville in Under-20 girls.
Despite games of 140 and 144 to start his last qualifying block, Wiese kept his composure to make the cut. The two-handed righty finished with games of 202 and 199 at the Game of Wickliffe
Dickerson rolled an 838 series her final four-game qualifying block at the Game of Wickliffe to make the first cut after 16 games.
She was in 162nd place with the cut at 120.
“I struggled at Wickliffe Lanes the day before,” said Dickerson, a 2016 Fairport graduate.