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Rookie rolling a two-handed delivery breaks into ranks as one of St. George's best bowlers

willie theis
·5 min read
Joseph Graham is having staggering success for a bowler in his first year of bowling which includes a pair of 700 scores. His 742 and 734 series from last week included a total of 50 strikes and a 246 average over the six games.
Joseph Graham is having staggering success for a bowler in his first year of bowling which includes a pair of 700 scores. His 742 and 734 series from last week included a total of 50 strikes and a 246 average over the six games.

For a bowler in his rookie season, Joseph Graham displays an almost veteran-like poise and calm on the lanes that belie his actual limited bowling experience.

His staggering achievements in his first year of bowling are almost other-worldly.

And arguably the most jaw-dropping of all is that in week 18 of the Tuesday Mixed Doubles League at Sunset Lanes, his 219 average not only leads the league, but it also tops the 218 of one of the biggest scoring juggernauts of the last 15 years, Blaine Hartley.

Almost equally mind-boggling is someone throwing 700 series scores in his first year of bowling. Well, he already has two, and his best is a 742 series on games of 263, 243 and 236 which included 25 strikes and only one open.

His first was a 734 gem that featured 25 strikes and games of 267, 235 and 232.

One of the reasons behind his huge early success is a two-handed delivery that generates tons of revs leading to greater pin action.

So, his resume after only 18 weeks of bowling already includes a 742 series, a 289 game, one Andy Veripapa 300, and he's already won money in a Las Vegas bowling tournament.

He played basketball at Snow Canyon High School where shooting the 3-pointer was his strong suit, and that explains why he's a humongous fan of the Golden State Warriors. Graham is the latest of a growing list of young bowlers who played sports in high school who are now winning accolades in St. George bowling.

In other action, Bill Stauffer (762-278, 247, 237) is a top-notch bowler who topped the scoring food chain, Will Hutchinson (709-258) definitely brought his strike ball to the party, and Shawn Wonder merits ink for a season-high 688 series.

And a strong Cory Choate (675) outing included a clean 267 and 246, Doug Clarke (647-217, 216, 214) merits ink for a super consistent effort, and Doyle Mouser (664-245) felt great after outscoring his chief octogenarian competition, Max Stayrook (624-218).

In single game play, Jeff Anderson, Mike McClure, Daryl Brooks and Dave Castro tossed games of 219, 213, 208, and 206, respectively. Note, scores from some leagues at Sunset are not included here as they were not available when I picked up scores on Friday.

In women's action, Sherri Snarr took high-set honors with a 645 on games of 235, 226 and 186, and propelled by 16 strikes, Karen Foss delivered a stellar 618 series which included a clean 234 along with 195 and 189 games.

Meanwhile, both Margie O'Neill (618-235) and Ann Rasmusen (610-238) also joined the 600 party, while Anne Brosier (593-212) and Tina Cruz (592-232) just missed the 600 festivities.

And Annette Chugg (571-198, 192, 181), a former scoring juggernaut and 10-time high average champion enjoyed her best outing of the season helped by marks on an impressive 19-of-21 non-split spare shots.

Kara Kopf (558-198) snapped a recent scoring funk, and Hailey Bundy (545-197) is reaping dividends from all the practice working on her game.

Sharon Dixon (524), Kathy Gordon (517-204), and Sharon Reading (504-197) collectively mowed down 1,554 pins.

Dawn Thomas popped a 222 in single game play, Colleen Bedford tossed a 213, Mary Jo Foerster smacked a 212 and Bonnie Kabey threw a 210.

Finally, Jean Frost, Sandy Seegmiller and Mackinzie Telford posted a 205, 204 and 202, respectively.

Senior scores

Dean Roberts 672-257; John Verchota 645-234; Al Schedin 634-253; Manny Hartmann 631-222; Dennis Craft 617-205; Dave Anderson 615-234; Paul Yssel 604-222; Diana Scharf 573-199; Diana Stauffer 538-195; Lyn Mariluch 528; Joann Fowler 505; Jeff Anderson 239; Jim Hamm 235; Stacy Griswold 217; Beverley Keeley 213; Tom Schwab 213; Gary Miskowisk 205.

Oh, bay-bee

Bowlers picking up splits included the likes of Rebecca Killpack 3-6-7-10 and the 6-7-10, Peggy Eggleston 6-7-10, Barb Flugrad 6-7-10, Arline San Antonio 6-7-10, and Peggy Hoback 4-5-7.

High scores

Jim Bedford 739-278; Lew Agius 716-277; Trent Nay 695-245; Mo Davis 685-257; Stan Oliver 680-246; Rick Lesko 673-233; Tim Swigart 672-246; John Potter 660-235; Gary Lee 655-226; Devin Werner 655-226; Stan Rasmussen 655-230; Bob Lehnen 654-256; George Kleinstuber 653-248; Jeremy Turlington 651-258; Dennis Craft 643-231; Dave Keller 641-236; Jorge Grajeda 639-233; Wil Mariluch 636-236; Kyle Kidman 634-243; Tor Lowry 632-222; Jackie Syddall 631-244; Duane Sullivan 630-268; JC Barrow 629-236; Michael Foot 627-223; Jim Bice 618-212; Randy Halverson 616-234; Matt Polatis 625-236; Matt Hill 614-215; Dale Knight 213; Brendan Thomas 612-215; Bill Logan 611-213; Bruce Breager 607-219; Larry Rumple 604-234; Ron Hanson 601-234; Nick Johnson 600-232; Al Schedin 243; Wayne Hoppal 234; Tony Van Gestel 233; Fred Foerster 226; Keith Jones 226; Dave Anderson 225; Jim Wulff 225; Rob Carrier 225; Mike Garcia 217; Dan O'Neill 214; Richard Berry 214; Scott Blue 214; Troy Olaveson 214; Zed Bradshaw 211; Cejay Bouck 213; Herb Ridge 210; Keith Reynolds 208; Anthony Green 205; Jacob Bouck 204; Nick Mace 200; Dale Knight 200; Colleen Bedford 596; Diana Stauffer 578-198; Debbie Lehnen 565-215; Susan Hill 554-214; Mackinzie Telford 540; Carole Ketterer 546-205; Indianna Polatis 545-197; Perk Matteson 540-203; Dawn Thomas 533; Autumn Telford 533-200; P.J. Redhouse 533-199; Sheila Green 525; Mary Jo Foerster 516-212; Rachelle Reed 510.

Willie Theis covers league bowling in St. George for The Spectrum & Daily News.

This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: Rookie star Joseph Graham breaks into St. George's top bowling ranks