To be inducted into either the Central PA Bowling Association and Mifflinburg Women's Bowling Association halls of fame, nominees are judged primarily on the criteria of bowling ability and meritorious service to the sport.
On Saturday the two associations held their annual hall of fame banquet at the Carriage Corner Restaurant in Mifflinburg. The CPBA inducted their 41st and 42nd members, while the MWBA saw the 18th woman enter its fold.
Inducted by the CPBA were John Sheesley Sr. and Doug Boyer, the latter unable to attend due to having emergency gall bladder surgery over the weekend. Both men were selected due to their bowling ability.
Sheesley, of Lewisburg, has three 300 games to his credit, in addition to 50 series of 700 or better. He rolled his first 800 series on Jan. 4 of this year.
Sheesley has won league championships with teams in five different leagues. While bowling in the Buffalo Valley League at Mifflinburg Lanes in 2003 he had a high average of 219.
During a bowling career that has spanned some 37 years after starting in his teens, Sheesley now gives back to the sport by being an assistant coach for the Lewisburg High bowling team.
"I'm humbled by this induction. To be nominated for this is a great experience from all of my fellow bowlers," said Sheesley. "I've been bowling a long time and it's just a humbling experience.
"I'm just amazed by all the people (present) who I've bowled against for the last 35-plus years in leagues where I've met some amazing friends," added Sheesley.
Boyer, of Milton, has been bowling for 48 years. During that time he's rolled 29 perfect games, more than 100 series of 700 or better and nine 800 series, including a best of 856.
In addition to all those honor scores, Boyer carried a 200 average in 12 different leagues, and he had a high average of 232 in the East End League in Mifflinburg.
Among Boyer's many tournament wins were titles in three Rolling Rock Tournaments. He also qualified twice for Channel 16's Bowling Championships and bowled on TV in 1987 and 1988.
Boyer has also bowled in six national and 12 state bowling tournaments.
The MWBA inducted Patricia Wendt of Selinsgrove to its hall. It was due to her meritorious service to the sport she's enjoyed since 1961.
In the beginning, Wendt bowled to simply pass the time while her husband, Donald, served in the Navy. After he passed away years later, Wendt picked the game again.
Wendt has served as Vice-President and President of the Monday Night Ladies League, in addition to serving on the MWBA board for 10 years. She has also participated in MWBA tournaments since 1985, PA State tournaments since 1989 and USBC national tournaments since 1993.
On the lanes during her career, Wendt has a high game of 238, a high series of 596 and a high average of 157.
"It's an honor," said Wendt. "Being inducted is something I've never expected -- to be honored for something that's just fun and that you enjoy doing.
"It's an awesome feeling," added Wendt. "I don't know what to think. I've been here other years to see other people inducted, never dreaming that I would one day be in this same position."
Along with the hall of fame inductions, the CPBA and MWBA honored the top high school bowlers from Union and Snyder counties as well as their tournament champions.
The high school bowlers that were honored were Lewisburg senior Amanda Shoemaker and junior Andrew Hans, Midd-West senior Dustin Knepp and sophomore Jenna Yarger, Miffllinburg juniors Austin Miller and Brianna Hollenbach, plus Selinsgrove seniors Jaymin Landis and Chelsea Wildt and junior Brynn Musser.
The group includes a 300 bowler (Miller), two boys that had a 200 average or higher during the school year (Knepp, 209.67; and Hans, 209.00); as well as two girls who had a 190 average or higher during the year (Yarger, 198.54; and Musser, 190.00).
Miller also had the area's best series with a 752, which he rolled on the same day as his perfect game.
Until next week, stay out of the gutters.
n Brian Holtzapple is a correspondent who covers bowling for The Daily Item. Email him at keglerskorner@dailyitem.com.
