NORTH RIDGEVILLE — Patrick Connor doled out the thanks for his latest bowling awards Friday.
“It means a lot to me,” he said, “and my bowling career.”
Career? He’s still in high school, for Pete’s sake.
Still, the North Ridgeville High School junior-to-be has assembled a pretty impressive resume, as shown by the honors he piled up Friday when the Elyria chapter of the Young American Bowling Alliance got together for its 44th annual awards banquet at Brunswick Zone.
Not only did Connor capture his third straight Bowler of the Year award, presented by The Chronicle-Telegram sports department, he also was named one of this year’s two inductees into the Elyria YABA Youth Hall of Fame.
“I want to thank my parents for all of their support,” Connor said of  his Hall of Fame selection. “I also want to thank all of my friends for being there for me. I really appreciate this selection.”
Connor started bowling at age 3, but has never had any real training. Nevertheless, he has relied on league coaches to help his game, a tactic that has paid off in two perfect games and a bunch of high scores. He hopes to carry his love for the sport on to the collegiate level and is considering a career in law enforcement.
Kevin Runyon joined Connor as a 2008 inductee into the hall of fame. Like Connor, he began bowling at a young age. He’s served as a junior league president and was lauded as someone always willing to help the younger bowlers. An Eagle Scout, Runyon also is quick to volunteer whenever needed.
“I want to thank my coach (John Shreve),” Runyon said. “I really have a lot of fun bowling.”
The late Carol Mackall was represented by several family members at the banquet as she was inducted into the local chapter’s Volunteer Hall of Fame. Mackall coached youth teams at Brunswick Zone for several years and saw to it that juniors were able to participate in tournaments whenever possible.
“We really appreciate this honor,” said Don Mackall, Carol’s husband. “This honor is something that we never really expected. Again, we want to thank all of you for such kind thoughts of Carol and all that she did for YABA.”
A highlight of the banquet was the naming of the eight bowlers of the year.
In Bantams (8 and under), McKinley Shreve and Austin Smith were honored. Shreve’s father, John Jr., and grandfather, John Sr., are two of the area’s top bowlers.
“I think my follow-through was a key to my success,” McKinley said. “I also wore a lucky pair of shoes.”
For the Preps (ages 9-11), Tiffany Diaz and Tyler Balmuta went home with picture plaques presented by The Chronicle.
“Keeping open frames to a minimum was a real plus for me,” Tiffany said. “My parents are my good luck charm. When they’re there when I’m bowling, I do my best. If they’re not there, I struggle. My mom helps me keep my focus, while my father helps a lot with my technique.”
Ashley Schoonover and Brandon Stamco took top honors for the Juniors (ages 12-14).
“I’ve been in a bowling alley since I was just two days old,” said Schoonover, referring to how her mother took her along to watch her dad bowl just days after she was born. “A real key to my success is staying calm. I say to myself that I can’t go back and change what has happened and need to go ahead with the rest of my game. This is my first Bowler of the Year award.”
For the Majors (ages 15-18), Heather Becka joined Connor as the top bowlers.
“My younger brother Brandon beat me in being a Bowler of the Year,” said Becka, a first-time recipient. “Brandon got his four years ago. Brandon and I compete against each other all the time. My whole family really is into bowling.”

2008 JUNIOR CITY TOURNAMENT AT BRUNSWICK ZONE

TEAM EVENT
CLASS A
First Place: Black River Juniors (2,642): Nicky Chahilski, Elizabeth Persinger, Chris Petry and Hailey Ball.
CLASS B
First Place: Justice For All (2,610): Samantha White, Michael Justice, Ryan Smith and Lucas Riggar; Second Place: River Rats (2,582): Madison Shreve, McKinley Shreve, Kennedy Shreve and Nick Haught.
CLASS C
First Place: Brunswick Zone Prime Time Super Stars (2,615): Nolan Freeman, Devan Freeman, Ryan Kordish and Mitch Bugala; Second Place: Half-N-Half (2,557): Alli Branham, Steve Elder, Harrison Strickler and Ashley Branham.
DOUBLES EVENT
GIRLS HANDICAP
First Place (tie): Karina and Ashley Rosso and McKinley and Madison Shreve 1,413.
BOYS HANDICAP
First Place: Joshua Clouse and Collin Mayda 1,426; Second Place (tie): Ryan Kordish and Mitch Bugala and Kevin Plata and Joshua Cromlng 1,285.
MIXED
First Place: Emily Henceroth and Michael Justice 1,423; Second Place: Ashley Branham and Harrison Strickler 1,418.
SINGLES EVENT
GIRLS CLASS A
First Place: McKinley Shreve 712; Second Place: Karina Rosso 708.
BOYS CLASS A
First Place: Kevin Plata 715; Second Place: Michael Justice 662.
GIRLS CLASS B
First Place: Ashley Rosso 681; Second Place: Brandi Coward 678.
BOYS CLASS B
First Place: Joshua Cromling 696; Second Place: Justin DeRamus 673.
GIRLS CLASS C
First Place: Ashley Branham 705; Second Place: Emily Henceroth 693.
First Place: Lucas Riggar 703; Second Place: Joshua Clouse 647.
BOYS CLASS D
First Place: Collin Oliva 761; Second Place: Jonathon Mahilo 737.
ALL EVENTS
GIRLS HANDICAP
First Place: McKinley Shreve 2,172; Second Place: Amanda Keathley 2,073.
BOYS HANDICAP
First Place: Harrison Strickler 2,097; Second Place: Michael Justice 2,073.
GIRLS SCRATCH
First Place: Ashley Branham 1,581; Second Place: Emily Henceroth 1,483.
BOYS SCRATCH
First Place: Collin Oliva 1,849; Second Place: Jonathon Mahilo 1,744.
HIGH SERIES AND GAME (GIRLS)
Ashley Branham 216/582.
HIGH SERIES (BOYS)
Collin Oliva 680.
HIGH GAME (BOYS)
Collin Mayda 248.
SPECIAL TOP JUNIOR BOWLER AWARDS
BANTAMS (8 AND UNDER)
GIRLS
Kennedy Shreve 101/156 (high average and high game); Brianna Krieg 401 (high series).
BOYS
Austin Smith 130/189/511 (high average, high game and high series).
PREPS (9-11)
GIRLS
Sabryna Mihalic 133 (high average); Brandi Coward 197 (high game); Tiffany Diaz 520 (high series).
BOYS
Bradey Clanin and Tyler Balmuta 146 (tie-high average, Andy Spanos Memorial, donated by Rick and Carrie Kuhns); Bradey Clanin 224 (high game); Tyler Balmuta 554 (high series).
JUNIORS (12-14)
GIRLS
McKenzie Jalowiec 149 (high average); Ashley Schoonover 233 (high game); Kristen Burd 555 (high series).
BOYS
Mike O’Sullivan 192/693 (high average and high series); Lucas Riggar 261 (high game).
MAJORS (15-18)
(GEORGE GALION MEMORIAL, DONATED BY KYLE SCHWOCHOW)
GIRLS
Ciera Diaz 188/253/633 (high average, high game and high series).
BOYS
T.J. Brady 206 (high average); Patrick Connor 300/751 (high game and high series).
SENIORS (19-21)
GIRLS
Tracie Anthony 81/125/295 (high average, high game and high series).
BOYS
Kevin Runyon 178/259/689 (high average, high game and high series).
MOST IMPROVED
(GRAHAM AWARD, DONATED BY RON AND MARIE GRAHAM)
BANTAMS
Girls: McKinley Shreve, +29; Boys: Nicky Chahulski, +23.
PREPS
Girls: Elizabeth Persinger, +19; Boys: Caleb Barbosa, +21.
JUNIORS
Girls: Kristen Burd, +28; Boys: Nick Haught, +31.
MAJORS
Girls: Alli Branham, +14; Boys: Harrison Strickler, +21.
SENIORS
Girls: Tracie Anthony, +10; Boys: Kevin Runyon, +16.
CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM
ALL-STAR TEAMS
(*INDICATES BOWLER OF THE YEAR)
BANTAMS
Girls
McKinley Shreve*, Faith Hamilton, Brianna Krieg, Gabriella Peloquin, Kenney Shreve.
Boys
Austin Smith*, Noah Gusky, Garrett Fixx, Michael Justice, Chase Johnson.
PREPS
Girls
Tiffany Diaz*, Brittney Bokar, Madison Shreve, Tori Durham-Morris, Kayla Williams.
Boys
Tyler Balmuta*, Aaron Kilgore, Joshua Brown, Jacob Wysocky, Anthony Boddy.
JUNIORS
Girls
Ashley Schoonover*, Crystal Snider, Samantha White, Taylor Smith, Samantha Balmuta.
Boys
Brandon Stamco*, Dylan Buckland, Alex Gravely, Nick Cipriano, Zack Brosky.
MAJORS
Girls
Heather Becka*, Alli Branham, Jesika Shaffer, Ashley Branham, Rebecca Lamb.
Boys
Patrick Conner*, Bill Hahner, Jon Brendsen, Sean Fleming, Jordan Myers.
ELYRIA YABA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
VOLUNTEER
Carol Mackall
YOUTH
Patrick Connor and Kevin Runyon 

---

Print this story
Report an inappropriate comment

---

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.

Need help? Email Us.

---