Bowling: Mike Gentry put’s on a clinic in a 676 series in Mesquite bowling

Bowlers know picking up a ton of spares in three games isn’t easy. And it’s especially so if a good number are corner pins.

But Mike Gentry made it look easy, Actually, it was like he put on a clinic in picking ’em up in Wednesday Men’s League action at the Virgin River Bowling Center How this? He was an eye-popping 14-of-14 on his spare shots, and that included spares on 7-of-7 shots at the 10 pin,

and 3-for-3 on 7 pin leaves.

And his outstanding spare shooting was key in throwing clean games of 237, 225 and 214 for a scintillating clean 676 series which also included 18 strikes.

His resume includes a career-high 720 series, a personal-best 289 game, a career-high 204 average, and in one of his “Andy Varipapa 300 games he rolled a personal-best 13 consecutive strikes.

Away from bowling, he loves spending time on woodworking projects, golfing, and he’s also a talented artist with most of his paintings centered on Native Americans.

Gentry was an outstanding athlete in high school where he was on the football, baseball and wrestling teams.

His love of sports continued after high school when he played in some very competitive fastpitch softball leagues and tournaments, and it  also included winning a ring in the World National Softball Tournament held in Las Vegas where he was also voted the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.  And years ago he also played on a celebrity softball team that included Ricky Nelson and Frankie Avalon.

He’s also won a gold medal in softball at the Huntsman World Senior Games held annually in St. George, and he’s still going yard in some of his turns at bat playing in the senior softball league in Mesquite.

Gentry served in the United States Army for three years, is a humongous fan of the New Orleans Saints, and Drew Brees along with Joe Montana are his two favorite athletes.

In other pin action, Jan Kusy became just the fifth Mesquite bower to throw a 700 series this season at the VRBC with a hard-hitting 716 on games of 255, 147, 214 and raised his average to 199.

Darren Simonds (672-230, 226, 216) was a pillar of consistency in his best overall outing this season, and bolstered by a 230, Dave Newman blew away his previous 590 high in Early Risers League action with a gratifying 635, while Dean Sheppard’s 20 strikes paved the way for a season-high 634 set and 235 game in Scratch League.

Bryan Pierce (628-235) delivered a first-rate effort, Dan Aslin’s 605 including picking up the 2-4-10 in a 219, while Dave Pershing (603-257) did some good work navigating the lanes.

In the single game food chain, Steve Serrano (640) proved again he’s really elevated his game this season by beginning his first game with a 10-bagger for a high-powered 288 gem. His 288 is also the highest game rolled at the VRBC to date in the 2022-23 season.

Scott Matting (731) fired a hard-hitting 278, Mike Saldivar (658) booked a 265, Michael “Smuffzzz” Ramirez (619) punched out a 258, and Tim McNees (604) a former race car driver tattooed the pocket for 10 strikes in a 254 game.

And after Jack Northover’s strike ball was MIA for two weeks, he located it and so he was back tottooing the 1-3 pocket and racked up a 237, Rick Jones fired a season-high 233, and Dave Houghton’s 233 wins him a free breakfast from his team captain, Doug Love (609) who’s 232 finished a stick behind Houghton’s 233.

And it was great seeing Jerry Holloway chalk up a 215, Dan Erhart logged a 211, Randy Kezior tallied a 211, and Mike Carpenter who’s an avid fan of the sports program at Oregon State University uncorked a 205.

Dale Davidson who use to run marathons in California rolled a 202, Mary Hardman who hails from Idaho cruised to a 202, John Gerger is a computer whiz who also tossed a 202, Chris Eyre  tallied a 201, and Thomas Stark who’s played golf on multiple continents tossed five strikes a season-high 198.

On the women’s side of ledger, without much fanfare, Diane Marget (583-223) is putting together a good season, Bev Cormani (583-216) had a good week, and Cheryl Rogers (546-193) has now had good back-to-back outings.

Georgia Godfrey (534) registered a solid score, and fueled by a 200 game, Francis Harper the outstanding league secretary of the Early Risers League delivered a 506.

In single game action, the biggest news is Connie Jenkins merits major kudos for throwing the high game of the week, a superb 242 with five strikes, and it’s also a multi-year high game for her.

Paula Kenny is a terrific golfer who won the Conestoga women’s golf championship last season, and in T.G.I.F. League action last week she put together a clutch spare in the 9th followed by her first turkey of the season in the 10th frame in a 162 gam  … Becky Amantea also merits ink after blowing away both her previous high 141 game and 107 average with a 165 game … Jerry Selbo picked up a 500 Series Award for a 515 set.

Dean Baum 684-244; Mike Yoder 673-239; Alan Jacobson 646-225; Darrell Moffatt Jr. 621-247; Bob Marget 613-236; Rob Hartman 609-232; Milan Carr 235; Wayne Donnafield 233; Dylan Kesl 231; Frank Addamo 229; Bob Ballard228; Larry Willis 226; Shaun Edwards 225; Ernie Kala 222; Kelly Williamson 220; Ron Johnson 219; Gary Moore 217; Gil Niimi 215; Harold Hendrick 215; Bruce Hooley 214; Ricky Trujillo 214; Al Gans 211; James Hartley 210; Ken Massie 210; Fred Emmons 209; Bob Sedgley 208; Michael Stiewig 207; Orlyn Meyer 206; Larry Moultrie 205; Doug Heiden 204; Gary Steele 204; Robin Drury 204; Sal Diaz 203; Jeff Branche 202; Red Powell 201; Al Legan 201; Austin Finster 201; Bob Monson 201; Ron Hendrickson 200; LoriJo Turner 594-218; Sandy Sheppard 529; Reiko Schultz 520; Bobbie Robbins 503.