06/02/2009--The 2009 MSUSBC Showcase Gala culminated with the induction of the newest members of the Missouri State Bowling Hall of Fame, and the chance to honor each one individually. Each is inducted into our Hall of Fame in the Superior Performance category.
Vicki Sigrist is the first inductee, hailing from Helena, MO. She was nominated by Sharon Bally, a HOF member in her own right, and was accompanied to the Gala by a large table of people including her husband Jerry, her son Bill, and her brother and two sisters. Vicki has been a member of Missouri bowling for 50 years, and a member of WIBC/USBC for the same amount of time. She has participated in 17 Missouri State tournaments. She recorded a high average of 201, and has carried between 185 and 201 for 30 years. Her high game is 299, in 1974, and she was the first woman in St. Joseph to toss one. Vicki's high series is 725.
She has won the St. Joseph City Team Championship five times on the scratch side, and seven handicapped. She's a four time scratch doubles champion, and two times she's brought home the handicapped championship. St. Joseph All-Events has been hers 3 times scratch, and 2 times handicap. Vicki is a member of the St. Joseph USBC Bowling Hall of Fame, and placed 4th in the Team Event of the WIBC National Tournament in Las Vegas, NV.
Donald P. Griffin, Jr., is married and lives with his wife Debbie in St. Louis, MO. He was nominated by Dale Bohn, Association Manager for the St. Louis USBC Association. He's bowled over 30 years in Missouri, and participated in more than 20 Missouri State tournaments. He began bowling at the age of 7 at Red Bird Lanes. In 1976, at the age of 16, he was one of the first bowlers to maintain an average of 200 in the center. He posted the center's first two 800's in 1980-81.
Don has 35 300's, only 4 299's, and over 30 800 series'. He has bowled 300 in five different states. He finished 2nd in the All Events in the Missouri State Tournament in 2000, and 1st in the MSUSBC Open Championship Team Event 2008 Scratch and Handicap divisions. He has a composite average of 200+ for 15 years of competition is our national tournaments. Don is an 11-time Gran Prix Tour Champion, and was the tour's Top Gun in 2006 with four wins and two 2nds, averaging close to 240 for 120 tournament games. His composite average for the last ten years is over 230. He was the St. Louis USBC Association Bowler of the Year in 2007, and the Missouri State Local Association Bowler of the Year in 2008.
St. Charles' Kevin Toebben is the third inductee in 2009. Kevin was joined at the banquet by his wife Martha and family. He was nominated by Gary Patterson, also a HOF member. He's been a member of Missouri bowling for 36 years, and has participated in over 30 Missouri State Tournaments. Kevin has six 300 games, two 299 games, and three 298's. He's averaged 210 or better for the last 30 years. He's a member of the St. Charles County USBC Hall of Fame, and the St. Charles County Sports Hall of Fame.
Kevin has left his mark on the scratch events in the Missouri State Tournaments, winning the scratch Team Event four times, Scratch Doubles once (with Dennis Sherman), and Scratch All Events in 1988. He's participated in 30 ABC/USBC National Tournaments, and has four top-10 Team finishes. He was a member of a 1993 World Team Challenge Championship Team. He was also a member of the winning team in the St. Louis BPA Masters League three times, and a nine-time Gran Prix Shootout Champion.
A fine 2009 Hall of Fame Class--one that the state can be proud of! |
