By BILL SNIER
CANTON — The Stark County USBC will be inducting a six-person class — three women and three men — into its Hall of Fame for 2024.
This will mark the second class inducted since the the merging of the Greater Canton Bowling Association and the Canton Women’s Bowling Association.
The three female inductees, all in the Superior Performance category, are the late Helen Radtke of Massillon, and Jossett Petrick and Candace (Candy) Dorosky, both of Canton.
The male inductees, also in the Superior Performance category, include Navarre’s Franklin Showalter Jr., Canton’s Jeff A. Mowls and Columbiana’s Lou Petit II.
The six officially will be enshrined during the Hall of Fame Recognition Dinner, set for 5 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Hilton Double Tree in downtown Canton. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased by contacting the Greater Canton Amateur Sports Hall of Fame at (330) 323-5330.
In addition to the bowling honorees, new classes in both the fumbleball and disc golf halls of fame also will be eshrined, with those inductees being announced at a later date.
Here is a look at the six bowling enshrinees:
WOMEN
HELEN RADTKE
Considered one of Stark County’s premier bowlers from the 1950s into the early 1980s, Radtke averages over 185 more than 30 times during her over 50 years as a sanctioned player.
She owned more than 20 700 series, with her first coming at the former Massillon Starway Lanes in 1971.
She qualified five times for the National Bowling Proprietors Association of America All-Star Trials, finishing as high as fifth. She also claimed the Stark County BPAA Open Tournament in 1974, and claimed numerous local honors as bowler of the year.
JOSSETT PETRICK
A three-time Junior Team USA member with a pair of sectional gold medals, the right-hander was a youth star in Stark County before the dawn of high school bowling. She owns 18 Junior Tournament Bowlers Association, five Michigan Masters, 11 Pennsylvania Junior Bowling Tour and three West Virginia Junior Tournament titles — all before going adult.
She has averaged over 210 for more than 30 years, with a high average of 229. She also owns four 800 series, with a high of 829, along with 14 career 300 games.
Now in her 40s, she has operated JP Family Pro Shop inside AMF Hall of Fame Lanes in Canton for the past 17 years and has served as head coach of the GlenOak High School (her alma mater) bowling team for the past two seasons, winning coach of the year honors both seasons.
CANDACE (CANDY) DOROSKY
The 78-year-old Canton right-hander averaged over 185 for more than 40 years in Stark County leagues, with a high career series of 740 as one of her many 700 series.
A frequent participant in local, state and national tournaments, Dorosky was known as “very accurate player who wanted bowling to be something her whole family could be a part of,” according to Mark Boron, who nominated Dorosky.
She also was a junior coach, mentoring among others her sons, Todd and Steve.
She also held league offices during her 40-plus years as a sanctioned bowler.
MEN
FRANKLIN E. SHOWALTER JR.
The 67-year-old Navarre right-hander averages over 210 for nearly 50 seasons, with a high there-games series of 834 among his three career 800s to go along with 13 career 300 games.
“My father’s journey in the world of bowling spans decades, marked by unwavering passion, unparalleled skill and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” said his daughter, Kristen Showalter, who nominated her father.
Showalter also played an instrumental role in promoting the sport through leagues, tournaments and charitable events, while also serving as a mentor to many players.
He also claimed on GCBA team title while participating in numerous city and state events.
LOU PETIT
Petit joins his father, Lou Petit Sr., who was inducted in 2011, as a hall of famer.
The 62-year-old right-hander, who still remains active but was sidelined this season due to injuries, has averaged over 210 for 33 years, with a high average of 235. He owns eight career 800 series, with a high of 815 along with 24 career 300 games while serving as a league officer for a dozen years.
Petit placed among the top five in many area tournaments, winning one senior-junior event with his father, who was 85 at the time.
He began participating in the Stark County Junior Traveling League at the age of 12 for North Canton Recreation and participated for many years in the Northeast Ohio Traveling League.
JEFF A. MOWLS
The 58-year-old Canton left-hander, who bowled in the Northeast Ohio Travel League this season while serving as a team captain, has averaged more than 210 for the past 20-plus years.
Mowls owns 22 career 800 series, with a high of 868, along with 43 300 games while being a member of 20 championship teams and also serving as a league officer for more than 30 years.
He also was a member of the GCBA and Stark County USBC boards of directors for 17 years, serving also as sergeant at arms.
Currently, he is the girls bowling coach for Lake High School, helping guide the Blue Streaks to their first-even state championships appearance this season. He also served as an assistant coach at GlenOak and Perry high schools.