Pictured Above Are The MMA Youth Bowlers Of The Year: Brockton, Madison, Justin And Ashley.
Mark Large And Johnny Wing Sr. Become Newest Members Of MMA HOF.
By Michael Chip Begg - Managing Editor - thetenpinexpress.com - Director Mesa Metro Association.
Gilbert - - - How do you say thank you as an association to two of its bowlers who have: been a loyal member to your association. Participated in every one of its Open tournaments for the last 15 years at least. Offered to sub in your tournaments when others couldn't make it to them. And have rolled their share of honor scores between them during this time period as well.
Nominate them when they become eligible for the Hall of Fame, and approve their nomination as its newest inductees as a board of course.
That is exactly what happened to Johnny Wing and Mark Large on Sunday May 20, at Bowlero Gilbert, during the Mesa Metropolitan Association's annual meeting. About 85 members of the association and 12 board members filled meeting room number #2 to its capacity.
Mr. Wing's honors include: eight 800s, 100 + 700s 23 300s and two 299s in his career. As far as titles go, he has three team championships and one all-events titles during his tenure as a member of the MBA/MMA Associations. His statewide titles include: one team, one doubles, and one all-events crown. He has also participated in the USBC Open Championship Tournament the last 11 years, too. His high series was an 846. High game 300, and high average 230.
"I would like to thank Crane Teng for getting me back into bowling," he told those in attendance, during his acceptance speech. "And I would also like to thank Don Caron for remembering him, and asking me to bowl back in 2010."
Earlier this year, Johnny was also a member of a team from the MMA that won the Military High Roller event at the Orleans in Las Vegas, NV. Other team members included: Don Caron, Erick Flick, Joe Hart, Barry Gilitiuk, and Steve Jones. All five of them are regulars at Brunswick Zone Mesa.
Mark, like Johnny, also has an impressive list of accomplishments on the lanes. He has one 800. 100 + 700s, five 300s, and one 299 in his career. During his career he also has one team champion award, one senior team champion for the MBA/MMA. One singles championship and two all-events titles for the MBA.
His Arizona State titles include: team titles in 1988 and 1993. And one Strike Force title. He has also participated in the USBC Open Championship for the last 32 years as well.
"I would like to thank my dad, Tom Large," he said, following his induction. "And my teammates Ron and Karl Simonis for their continued support in my bowling."
He is a member of the Lamb family of bowlers. His sister Cindy has been a Youth Director for the Mesa Firebirds for many years. Mark also presented his niece, Ashley, with her 11 and under MMA Girl of the Year Award.
In other MMA news:
Incumbent President, Mike Barrett, was re-elected to the same position on the board. And Al Weis was re-elected as Vice President. Both were re-elected by acclimation. Mr. Barrett begins his second term as President.
"I would like to thank our association manager, Leslie Marsh. The board of directors and vice presidents; (Mike Albertson, Bob Schreiber, and Al Weis) for all their assistance and support," he said, following the vote. "Thank You Mesa Metro Bowlers for your membership and love of our sport. Without you, the Mesa Metro Association would not be needed. I am looking forward to continuing my service to the sport that I love."
Current board members Julie Barrett, and youth director Carol Mikolajczyk were also re-elected to new terms by acclimation. The MMA board also welcomed five new board members as well: John Donahue, Shannon Maloney, Karl Munson, Kristi Smith Thompson, and La Donna Woodworth. They too, were elected by acclimation. Another big thank you goes out to Bobbi Fredrickson and her commitee for always finding the perfect fits to serve as Directors on the MMA board. A very special thank you goes out to sisters: Shelia Bandele and Shirley Clark for their many years of service to the board, and for their many years of participating in various tournaments in the State of Arizona.
The MMA also placed fifth nationally for large associations with a $15,000 donation to the BVL (Bowling to Veterans Link), this past year. The donations were raised during the annual fund raising drive that usually takes place in November. Fund raising took place in the form of 50/50 raffles. The MMA would also like to thank Bob Dault for his devoted contribution in contacting every league in the east valley. Great job to committee chair Gayle Powers for also making sure board members know when they have to be at their centers to help with the fund raising drive.
The MMA gave out 8,060 awards to adult bowlers during the 2017-18 season. 300 game multiples were rolled by 80 bowlers with a combined 106 perfect games. One female rolled a perfect game for the first time and 20 men had rolled their first ever 300 game. 24 male bowlers rolled multiple 800 series last season while a total of 33 800 series were rolled. One female also shot her first 800 series this past season. While 10 men accomplished this feat also.
As far as tournaments go, all nine that are run or backed by the MMA excided or were equal to the number of entries from last year. The biggest improvement was seen in the Masters and Queens which was held at AMF McCray Lanes last year. The Masters had a field of 48 bowlers and the Queens 19. Mandy Etem and Jim Pratt from Phoenix, are the defending Masters and Queens Champions going into the 2018-19 season.
The youth membership in the MMA once again showed why they are the future of our great sport of bowling. At the annual youth tournament at Brunswick Kyrene Lanes this past January. 34 teams, 64 doubles pairings, and 127 singles entrants supported this years Youth City Championship.
The MMA Youth committee also included a Junior Gold qualifying event during the Youth Championships. By adding this event, it also gave other junior bowlers in Arizona a chance to enter the tournament and take a shot at winning a spot later this month in Dallas. 28 junior bowlers entered the qualifier and when the Youth Championships was completed, five youth bowlers earned spots to Junior Gold. The spots won were one for U12 and two each for U15 and U20 age groups.
Great job to MMA Youth Directors: Mark Wojtusiak, Bob Schreiber, Carol Mikolajczyk, Helen Stinson, and Terry Torvinen. For getting the word out and making the yearly tournament happen.
Boy and Girls Bowlers of the Year were as follows. 11 and Under: Ashley Lamb and Brockton Scotford. 12 and Older. Madison Holman and Justin Thompson.
Tournament sites for the MMA's 2018-19 season have also been announced. Youth City Championships - Mesa East. Women's Tournament and MMA Open - Brunswick Kyrene. Senior Open - AMF Mesa. MMA Master and Queens - Brunswick Mesa. Senior Open - AMF Mesa. Valley of the Sun - AMF McCRay. MMA Senior Masters - Mesa East. Date and times TBA.
Mesa Metro News June 8, 2018