Bowling Update: Special Olympics and tournament winners

Starlight Bowling to host Special Olympics

SANTA ANA PUEBLO — The New Mexico Special Olympics State Bowling Competition is coming to Starlight Bowling Bar & Grill at Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel this weekend, Dec. 13-15.

More than 650 special-needs athletes from all over the state will be descending on the lanes at Santa Ana to compete for the gold medal, according to a news release. That includes bowlers from the Area 5 Bowling Competition, which took place at Starlight Bowling in October.

“We’re honored to have hosted this incredible event for over 10 years at Starlight,” said Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel CEO and General Manager John Cirrincione. “Our team members love hosting the Special Olympics athletes and their families. It’s such a heart-warming experience to see Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel team members cheer on these great athletes. We’re looking forward to continuing hosting this event for many more years to come.”

According to Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel director of marketing John Andersen, the lanes are being decked out for the event. The Casino Hotel just completed massive upgrades to the lanes, which included upgraded facilities and signage.

“As part of the upgrades we have been able to add a special, custom background to our lanes featuring the Special Olympics logo and branding,” said Andersen. “We’re proud to debut all of these upgrades for such a great event like the New Mexico Special Olympics.”

According to the news release, the New Mexico Special Olympics State Bowling Competition is the finale of the state bowling tournaments that are held statewide throughout the year.

“The Special Olympics kicks off the first day with an opening ceremony featuring the national anthem, the Athlete Oath and a torch lighting before the bowlers take to the lanes and showcase their skills,” says the release.

For more information, visit sonm.org/getinvolved.

Marathon tournaments at Tenpins & More

RIO RANCHO — After more than 5 1/2 hours of bowling at Tenpins & More last weekend, two winners were crowned after completing two marathon tournaments that saw 51 teams of two bowlers each competing for the crown and a share of the $4,100 prize pool.

Tom Thornhill and Khesean Manning went 7-1 in match-play to win the first tournament. Thornhill opened with 290, 222 while Khesean closed with 268, 276 and 230.

Teresa Hope and Jacob Neal finished second with 391.

Father-and-son team, Gary Kellman/Lucius Sandoval (371) came in third, and Daniel Valverde and Johnna Mora fourth with 364.

Joseph Paterson and Will Hall of Socorro won the second tournament after going undefeated (8-0).

Mitchell Schatz and Jeff Chaveau (397) finished second, and Brian Bledsoe and Bob Eberle (358) third.

Champ of Champs gets rolling

RIO RANCHO — The 25th annual "Champion of Champions" tournament begins this weekend at Tenpins & More. The tournament will run from Dec. 14-29 and include 13 teams competing for the chance at the title and the $4,000 grand prize.

The finals for the Champion of Champions tournament will be held in January and will include the 40 bowlers who finish highest in the December qualifying rounds. The finals will include separate divisions for men, women, seniors and youth.

According to Tenpins & More owner and tournament organizer Steve Mackie, the Champion of Champions tournament has paid out more than $10,500 since 2022.

— Steve Mackie contributed to this story