Making their marks

COEUR d’ALENE — The ball came in high on the headpin, which could be trouble, perhaps a split.

So when all 10 pins tumbled down, Janine Wilson celebrated with a big smile and hand slaps from teammates.

Asked about her shot, the Kamiah resident laughed a bit.

“It was OK,” she said.

“It looks like a good strike on paper,” said a teammate.

The first day of the Idaho state women's bowling tournament at Sunset Bowling Center on Saturday was marked with mixed reactions — grimaces for missed spares, sighs of relief over a lucky break, and shouts and high fives with strikes.

It will continue for the next three weekends as about 400 bowlers from throughout the state compete for prize money and trophies in singles, doubles and foursomes.

It’s the first time the championship has been held in North Idaho.

The tournament, which has a full field, was open to anyone who wanted to register and features bowlers with a range of talents.

“People from Sunset Bowl are sure happy to have the state tournament up here,” said Vern Oertel, owner.

The opening ceremonies included speeches and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Rathdrum Mayor Vic Holmes said, “It’s exciting to see this big a group and not a mask in sight. I really appreciate that.”

“We want to welcome you to our city and more importantly, spend a ridiculous amount of money,” he added, laughing.

Post Falls Councilwoman Kerri Thoreson welcomed the bowlers, the camaraderie and the competition.

“And girl power,” she shouted with a smile, to which the crowd cheered.

Rosy Gallegos, 9, and Chris Pappas were selected to make the honorary opening throws.

Pappas, a state bowling director at large and also a competitor in the tourney, dropped the ball on her approach, and then pushed it down the lane, drawing laughter.

She loved having the tournament in Coeur d’Alene.

“It’s exciting,” she said.

Gallegos got a big hug and kiss from her mom, Heather, after rolling a smooth shot down the lane. She is doing well in junior leagues and averages 103 a game.

"I love bowling," she said.

“I think it's fantastic," Heather Gallegos added. "I bowled as a child too, but I never got an opportunity like this, so I get to vicariously live through my child."

Rosy said she can beat her mom.

“My high game is 150,” she said.

“However, I beat everybody last week, including dad, right?” Her mom said, laughing.

Shelby Thompson, tournament director, said it’s nice to be able to showcase the Coeur d’Alene area to so many Idaho women bowlers.

A key duty of the director is “keeping it fun for everybody," she said. "And making sure everything is good to go out there for them.”

It was, as bowlers were enjoying the early frames.

“Good energy,” said Patti Callison of Blackfoot.

Julie Frans, also of Blackfoot, said it was her first time bowling in a state tournament.

“I just wanted to be with friends, have a good time and hopefully do really good at state,” she said.