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The 2019 version of the Altoona Mirror Bowler of the Year Tournament was a little bit of the old and a little bit of the new at Holiday Bowl Thursday night. And both winners were just happy to be a part of it.
For the first time ever, Justin Horton won a men's title by finishing with a 1065 series that included the night's only 300 that was rewarded with cheers and clapping from the faithful in attendance on his second game.
"I was just hoping to finish in the top five because there are a lot of good bowlers here," Horton said.
And for the first time in over 14 years, Heather Partner was a winner. She started strong and finished strong with an 881 series and her third-ever ladies trophy.
"I won it in 1999 I know … but this is the first time in almost 14 years that I've even been to the tournament because of a back injury," she said.
After one-round of play, Partner was in the lead with a 236 game while newcomer Tristan Fisher rolled a 269 for the lead on the men's side. Horton finished round one with a 244.
"I bowled in a tournament (Wednesday night) at the Bavarian (Hall) and shot a 710 so I felt that helped my game a lot (Thursday)," Horton said.
After the second games were bowled, Horton had moved into second place with a 544, thanks in part to a 300. Scott Kephart was in the lead at 545, thanks to a 266 and a 279. Artie Fink Jr., who finished second overall with a 1026, got back into it with a 299.
"The first game was the big difference for me," said Fink, who rolled only a 213. "I haven't bowled in 3 or 4 weeks and I struggled with my timing. I knew I would have to bowl like a 300 just to get back in it so a 299 was close."
Partner went back to the pack after rolling a 171 in game 2, and the likes of Christine Cleaver (420) and Brenda Miller (408) took the spotlight.
"The lanes were starting to break down and I couldn't get the speed on my ball," Partner said. "And I certainly didn't help myself. I left a lot of corner pins and I split the 7-10 so that hurt me."
When the third round had ended, Horton was at 797 while Fink and John Slowik Jr. were tied for second at 758. Slowik went 245-267-246 at that point while Horton's third game was a 253, and Fink's third game a 246.
"I averaged 230 all season. Not one 300 game or one 800 series," said Horton, who won the first bowler-of-the-week honor back in September when the season started. "That's like the first time I did that in three years."
Horton was having such a good night that when he finished, it was already known by tourney officials that he would win, even while others were still finishing up. He rolled a 268 in his final game. Fink a 268, too.
"The fourth game … I just worried about my score because I was in the lead by 40 pins," he said. "If I struck out, no one could beat me so I just worried about me and no one else."
Fink, who has one of the more storied careers in bowling in the area, had no complaints about the second-place finish. He did enjoy the fact that he competed in the tournament with his his son, Derek, who at 21 was in his first-ever Mirror tourney title event.
"It is an experience you never forget. It was fun. Not too many people get to do this," Artie said.
After three rounds on the ladies side, Miller was at 632 while Julie Fox was at 631 and last year's winner, Crystal Bartley, was at 621. On came Partner, who rolled a 269 in her final game to win the title.
"Around the fifth frame (of the last game), those last five balls was the most confident I felt in a long time," Partner said of her turnaround down the stretch. "I was pretty much focused on what I was doing, but I knew Julie had a 243 so I figured she might win. I thought it would be close. I knew it would come down to the fourth game."
Fox finished with an 874 while Miller was third at 824.
"My first game was rough, but I picked it up the last couple of games. I was close," said Fox, who won the title two years ago.
TOURNEY NOTES: Troy Monahan, who won the men's title last year, finished third with a 1003 total. Slowik was fourth, one pin back at 1002. … There were 36 men eligible to compete in the event and 23 showed up. There were 30 women eligible to compete but only 14 showed up, which was the exact same amount who competed in 2018. … Crystal Bartley, last year's ladies champ, finished with a total of 761. … Bob Steinbugl won the senior bowler of the year tournament on Wednesday. He was mis-identified in a photograph in Thursday's sports section.
MEN
FIRST PLACE Justin Horton 1065
SECOND PLACE Artie Fink Jr. 1026
WOMEN
FIRST PLACE Heather Partner 881
SECOND PLACE Julie Fox 874
MEN: Justin Horton 1065, Artie Fink Jr. 1026, Troy Monahan 1003, John Slowik Jr. 1002, Justin Clatterbaugh 961, Scott Kephart 960, Doug Hoffman 959, Tim Noye Jr. 943, Ricky Brown 940, Rob Hippo 929, Ryan Glunt 926, Ralph Hamilton 917, Tristan Fisher 906, B.J.Troutman 902, Bob Williams 902, Bill King 884, Sean Morgan 872, Chris Horton 843, Nate Barroner 828, Derek Fink 822, Stephen Elder 784, Matt Veckov 779, Mark Giordano 769
WOMEN: Heather Partner 881, Julie Fox 874, Brenda Miller 824, Beth Monahan 821, Christine Cleaver 808, Kelsey Focht 768, Crystal Bartley 761, Edie Frederick 735, Shannon King 711, Crystal Burns 696, Cheryl Rupp 684, Lisa Rhodes 676, Pan Zitsch 674, Deb Manges 628