Bowling: Sandy Sheppard adds another high-average scoring title to her growing collection

In the world of sports you often see teams or individuals have long stretches of standout success. One example is the Los Angeles Dodgers who have made the postseason for 12 straight years. Another is a virtual guarantee that Steph Curry will finish the grind of a long NBA season shooting an amazing 90% from the charity stripe.

And in local women’s bowling, another illustration is Sandy Sheppard winning her umpteenth high-average scoring title at the Virgin River Bowling Center. I know, you already guessed that, but we’re making it official here as that’s exactly what she did again as she put a bow on her 2024-25 season with a 193 average compiled over 78 games in her City High Rollers League.

And in similar fashion to the Dodgers & Curry illustrations, her 193 is her ninth high-average scoring crown at the VRBC since winning her first in the 2015-16 season which was her inaugural season after changing her zip code to one in Mesquite from one in The Centennial State.

So, after 10 years of bowling at the VRBC, she’s won nine high-average titles which clearly cements her stature as a towering figure in Mesquite bowling. Additionally, her latest scoring title also means she’s on the doorstep of tying the single most impressive streak in the history of Mesquite bowling which is Darwin Wimer’s 11 high-average scoring titles.

Now that raises the question, does she have a legit shot at matching Wimer’s 11, or even becoming the all-time leader with 12? The answer is an unequivocal, yes!

Is it a slam dunk? No, but given her track record and skill-set, you’ve gotta really like her chances. However, having said that, it won’t be a cakewalk because bowlers like Diane Marget, Autumn Telford, Bev Cormani and Lee Ann Harmes are darn good competitive bowlers who are very capable of mounting a strong challenge. But Sheppard still has a darn competitive game as illustrated by the fact, her 193 topped her 191.70 average from the 2023-24 season.

Now let’s pivot a little here and pull back the curtain on some of the stats that paved the path for Sheppard’s 9th scoring title. And one of the hallmarks of her game this season was amazing consistency overall as she averaged 194 over her 26 first games during the season, 193 over her 16 second games, and 193 in all of her 26 third games of CHR League play.

And her two high CHR League series scores were a 693 and 683, and her high game in this league was a 250 in week 16.

By the way, this past November Sheppard joined forces with Barb Field and they took 1st Place in the Southern Nevada Women’s Championship Doubles event with a combined score of 1,449, and also in a matter of days she will also be bowling in the 2025 Women’s USBC Nationals being held this year in Sin City.

And this summer the main item on her menu is kayaking with her grandkids at Palisades Reservoir located in Wyoming.

Meanwhile, Diane Marget who’s eye-popping resume includes ten 300 games finished with the 2nd highest woman’s average at the VRBC with an impressive 191 in her Monday Scratch League where she rolled a season-high 661 series and 257 games.

Autumn Telford’s 189 saw her end the season the 3rd highest average and her season-high scores were a 682 series and 167 game.

Lee Ann Harms posted the next best average, a 184 rolled in her CHR League where she tossed a season high 652 and 256 game.

Bev Cormani booked her highest average, a 182 in the CHR League where she tossed a season-high 626 and 230 game, and Cheryl Rogers finished so close to the 180 mark with a 178 and her high series in the MS League was a 611 and game a 226. Now if Rogers entered her unbelievable scrumptious “ccc’s” in a cookie tasting contest, it wouldn’t even be a contest as she’d walk away with the blue ribbon.

Finally, you will definitely not want to miss next week’s last column for the 2024-25 season.

Sheila Green 18; Patsy Burtchett 16; Shirlie Kitzmiller 14; Ashlee Yokoyama 14; Karyl Moeller 213; Maurine Schuman 12; Kathy Bartley 10; Suzie Fehseke 10; Tama Hixswon 10; Marie Borish 9; Jodi Usher 9; Rose Huston 7.