Three inducted into Sandusky Bowling Hall of Fame

Mitch Schenk was used to the ribbing his family dished out because his father, late mother and sister all were members of the Sandusky Bowling Hall of Fame. Schenk joined the club last Saturday when he was inducted into the hall of fame for superior performance. "They've got nothing on me now," Schenk joked. "I've always had my eye on it and was hoping for it. We had a real good time." Schenk, 58, has four 300 games and two 800 series (high of 824 in 2001) on his bowling résumé. He actually was a member of the 2020 hall of fame class, but the induction was delayed until last week during the Butch Wagner Hall of Fame Tournament at Cedar Lanes. His father (Bud) and sister (Tracee Duncan) were at the ceremony. His mother, Shirley, died three years ago. "It was kind of bittersweet," he said. "I'm sure she would've liked to have seen it." Ernie Owens (longevity) and Rich Hodgkinson (meritorious service) also were inducted during Saturday's ceremonies between shifts at the annual tournament. Schenk started bowling at Star Lanes when he was 10: "Our family has always bowled so I've been bowling since I was old enough to walk on the lanes." "My dad taught me a lot and belonging to the junior leagues at Star Lanes, Bruno Lizzi gave us a lot of help when we were kids," said Schenk, a Sandusky native who works at Lewco. He said his biggest tournament victory came at the 2019 Butch Wagner Hall of Fame Tournament, named after the longtime Sandusky Register sports editor who died last August. He teamed up that day with his dad, sister and son Dalton. "It's the biggest tournament the association has," Schenk said. "It's a good one to win with just about everyone in the association bowling in it one time or another." Schenk rolled games of 234, 258 and 277 for a 769 series last weekend. He bowled in one league this season -- the Thursday night Civista Bank League at Star Lanes -- and enjoys the competition and camaraderie. "I've made so many friends that I probably wouldn't have run into anywhere else," Schenk said. "It's a real personal challenge and everyone is bowling on the same conditions." Owens, 84, has been bowling for more than 70 years. The 1955 Sandusky High School graduate bowled in three leagues this season at Cedar Lanes. A bowler on one of his teams nominated him for the honor. The retired truck driver, who later delivered mail to the Lake Erie islands for 18 years, said it "turned out pretty good." "Bowling is a great game and good exercise," said Owens, who has one career 300 game (in 2002) and a high series of 782. The 21st annual tournament was finalized the last week of February and drew 81 teams. Theresa Blakely and Vesta Whyde were tourney directors. "I appreciate everyone coming out to support the tournament," Blakely said. "I think everyone had a lot of fun." Blakely thanked Cedar Lanes' Randy Hart for his help. She also thanked all volunteers and the tourney's three main sponsors: Construction Equipment & Supply Co., Kristi and Steve Lodico and Bellevue Manufacturing. There also were sponsors for all 35 lanes. Ruth Wagner, Butch's widow, and members of her family — including sons Brian and Todd, daughter-in-law Jill and granddaughter Emily Roesch and her husband Connor — were on hand. They helped sell 50-50 tickets to raise about $600 for a scholarship in Butch Wagner's name at St. Mary Central Catholic High School. "They did a wonderful job," Blakely said. Ruth Wagner said her family enjoyed the tournament and thanked Blakely and Whyde. "Butch would be real happy; it was an excellent tournament," Ruth said. "He thought the world of those two women. They did a wonderful job." ----- Top 5 teams 1. Tx4 2,995 handicap; 2,671 actual Beth Tompkins, Steve Tamburrino, Max Tamburrino, Ryan Tamburrino 2. Robin's Hood 2,895 handicap; 2,820 actual Austin Clos, Reggie Hawthorne, DJ Assaff, Robin McQuaid 3. UAW 1216 2,866 handicap; 2,458 actual Matt Gennari, Sara Christensen, David Kopcho, Jacob Schwanger 4. Voegle Lawn Care 2,836 handicap; 2,518 actual Mike Morey, Esther Peters, Shawn Wobser, Jason Voegle 5. It Doesn't Matter 3 2,795 handicap; 2,570 actual Jen Dudek, Eric Brown, Jason Gessner, Joe Gessner Top individual scores Jason Gessner -- 300 game, 797 series Jarrett Lang -- 299, 696 Mike Morey -- 298, 745 Steve Schoewe -- 290, 722 Ray Smith -- 278, 755 Mindy Fenton -- 278, 708 Mitch Schenk -- 277, 769 Cathy Dorin-Lizzi -- 277, 744