By BILL SNIER
NORTH CANTON — A pair of area high school bowling coaches were among four players to hit milestones during the recent 103rd Stark County USBC Open Championships at Park Centre Lanes.
At least three of the four — Jackson coach Dustin Dingler, Canton Central Catholic coach Bud Stebbins and Justin McIlvain — had a 300 to go along with 800 series. Peyton Krumlauf added the other 800 without a 300 kicker.
For both Dingler and Stebbins, it marked their second 300 games of the 2023-24 season, while the latter also rolled his second 800.
Both coaches had different reasons to be proud of their latest milestones, both coming during the doubles portion of the tournament. Here is a look at both.
HEALTH IMPROVES FOR DINGLER
Dingler, a 47-year-old Jackson Township right-hander, just completed his first year as the Polar Bears boys coach.
It did not come without some hardship.
“Health-wise, I was going through a lot the last year or so,” said Dingler, a Kenan Advantage director of purchasing. “We also were preparing to launch a new business so we had a lot of irons in the fire.”
HIs gastrological problems led to Dingler dropping 83 pounds since last fall.
“I still have another 25 to go,” said Dingler, who also is facing addition leg surgery in July to deal with vein problems. “I made a commitment to make a huge health change in my life. I’m feeling really good right now.
“The doctor wanted to do the leg surgery in June but this is my 25th consecutive year of going to nationals (USBC Open Championships), so I put it off until July.”
Dingler feels his lifestyle changes contributed to his shooting 805 during the Stark USBC event, his sixth overall to go along with 13 300 games. He had games of 258, 247 and 300 — his second of the latter this season.
“It means a lot because of the health issues. Now, I’m able to be out there and feel fresh,” Dingler said. “I haven’t lost any energy. I’ve been really working hard.”
Missing nearly eight weeks due to his problems, Dingler averaged just 208 in the Northeast Ohio Travel League this season, but remained around 220 in both his Wednesday and bi-weekly Saturday mixed leases at Park Centre.
It marks the second time he has shot 300-800 in the city tournament; the first time coming at 77 Colonial Lanes during its final business season.
Dingler debuted his new business, 3-D Sanitation, which specializes in residential and commercial trash bin cleaning and power washing services.
“It’s been a big year so far,” he added.
TWO FOR STEBBINS
Stebbins was a bit surprised in shooting his second 800 of the season and fourth overall. But how he did it meant even more.
“It was just a really good day and I was able to see the line really well,” the 55-year-old Commercial and Savings Bank senior loan officer said. “But I threw a ball that I don’t usually throw at Park Centre.”
When Stebbins had his earlier 800, he used the Motiv Pride Empire. This time, he used the original Pride.
“It just seemed like I had more miss room with the original,” said Stebbins, who did start Game 1 with the Pride Empire.
How much did the change mean? Stebbins made the change midway through Game 1, when he shot 235. He finished with 280 and 300, leaving only one spare the rest of the way after the switch.
“I just had a good look at everything. It just felt good physically and mentally,” Stebbins said. “The game just kind of slowed down and I could see everything I needed to see and the adjustments I had to make. I put 36 shots in the pocket and had 32 strikes.”
Otherwise, all he left were three 10-pins and one 9-pin.
It was the first time he has thrown two 800s in one season. He did have a pair of 300s in a season about 10 years ago.
“This time, I seemed like I was better focused,” Stebbins said. “When I shot my last (800), I really wasn’t that focused until later when I realized what I needed.”
But it was a big accomplishment for the senior player.
“It tells me that I can still do it,” Stebbins added.
OTHER 800S
McIlvain had the high series in the tourney with 824, including games of 277, 247 and 300. He shot 800 earlier this year in the NEOTL also at Park Centre. He also had his milestone in doubles with partner Brett McCourry.
Krumlauf also added 801, leading him and partner Tucker Robbins to the tourney’s doubles handicap title with 1,571.