Brian Himmler came through in the clutch, picking up a 3-6-10 spare in the 10th frame to defeat Mika Koivuniemi in the title match of the 2006 Earl Anthony Medford Classic, 214-204, Sunday at Lava Lanes.

The victory, which gave Himmler the $40,000 top prize and his fourth career Denny's PBA Tour title, almost slipped through his hands.

The 13-season veteran opened in the sixth frame, failing to convert a 2-10 split, but Koivuniemi failed to strike in the 7th and 8th frames. After recovering with strikes in the 8th and 9th, Himmler needed to mark in the 10th to win his third title in his last four championship round appearances.

"Fortunately [the 3-6-10 spare] is makeable, but I almost blew it," said Himmler. "I was lucky to make that spare. As they say, 'all breaks are well earned' and I'm a believer in that now."

The Cincinnati native advanced to the title match after he defeated Tim Criss, who was looking to snap a 132-event winless streak, 259-242, in the semifinals. Himmler opened the match with six straight strikes and capitalized on a Criss open in the 11th frame by striking out in the 10th.

Koivuniemi defeated Ritchie Allen in their semifinal, 237-215. The 2004 PBA Player of the Year struck out in the 10th to shut out Allen, who was making his second career televised finals appearance.

Koivuniemi (Hartland, Mich.) earned $20,000 for his second place finish while Allen (Columbia, S.C.) and Criss (Bel Air, Md.) earned $10,000 apiece for their respective third and fourth place finishes.

The Denny's PBA Tour heads to Fountain Valley, Calif., for the 2006 Dick Weber Open, Jan. 10-15 at Fountain Bowl. The live ESPN televised finals take place Sunday, Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. PST, with the winner taking home the $40,000 top prize and an exemption for the 2006-07 season.

Lava Lanes in Medford, OR
January 4-8, 2006

Championship Round:
1. Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, 473 (2 games), $40,000
2. Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 441 (2 games), $20,000
3. Ritchie Allen, Columbia, S.C., 215 (1 game), $10,000
4. Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 242 (1 game), $10,000

Playoff Results:
Semifinal Match 1: Koivuniemi def. Allen, 237-215
Semifinal Match 2: Himmler def. Criss, 259-242
Championship Match: Himmler def. Koivuniemi, 214-204.

This is Himmler's fourth career Denny's PBA Tour title. Picture courtesy of PBA LLC/Musitelli.

Tim Criss has struggled under the Denny's PBA Tour's new match play format, but some recent adjustments are paying dividends for the veteran. Criss will be looking for his first title since 1999 as he defeated Tom Daugherty four-games-to-two, Friday in the Round of 8 in the 2006 Earl Anthony Medford Classic at Lava Lanes.

The 13-year Tour veteran with five career titles finished 35th in the 2004-05 PBA World Point Rankings, barely earning an exemption for the 2005-06 season. He's been struggling so far this season as well, as he is currently 41st in the 2005-06 PBA World Point Rankings.

"I've struggled in the new format, but hopefully I'm starting to figure things out," said Criss, referring to the format used the last four seasons which has featured best-of-seven-games match play in the rounds of 32, 16 and 8. "For whatever reason, (the format) just hasn't really matched up with my game. I've been trying to work on throwing the ball straighter and so far it's working for me."

Criss, Bel Air, Md., who hasn't won a title in his last 132 events, will face Brian Himmler in the semifinals. Himmler defeated Mike Wolfe, who won the last Tour event of the season's first half in December, 4-1.

The other semifinal will feature 2004 PBA Player of the Year Mika Koivuniemi, who defeated PBA Hall of Famer Walter Ray Williams Jr., 4-3. Williams was looking to tie Earl Anthony's all-time Tour record of 41 titles.

Koivuniemi will face Ritchie Allen in the second semifinal. Allen, whose lone Tour title came in 2002, defeated 2005 PBA Player of the Year Patrick Allen, 4-1.

The final four will bowl for the $40,000 top prize and an exemption for the 2006-07 Denny's PBA Tour season on Sunday. ESPN will air the final round live from Lava Lanes Sunday, Jan. 8 at 10 a.m. PST.

#9 Tim Criss def. #16 Tom Daugherty, 4-2
(258-187, 234-192, 214-214 [7-10], 198-255, 191-157, 205-192)
#2 Mika Koivuniemi def. #10 Walter Ray Williams Jr., 4-3
(279-207, 228-258, 214-236, 234-186, 213-182, 176-210, 235-206)
#22 Ritchie Allen def. #30 Patrick Allen, 4-1
(258-184, 235-237, 247-234, 278-201, 206-192)
#28 Brian Himmler def. #20 Mike Wolfe, 4-1
(278-212, 210-225, 247-221, 239-203, 219-211)

300 games - None.

#16 Tom Daugherty def. #1 Wes Malott, 4-3
(217-119, 222-183, 204-206, 244-184, 181-187, 179-197, 231-226)
#2 Mika Koivuniemi def. #18 Brad Angelo, 4-0
(242-172, 276-269, 209-189, 224-189)
#30 Patrick Allen def. #19 Jim Tomek Jr., 4-3
(206-188, 202-212, 269-177, 210-214, 197-213, 223-184, 224-165)
#20 Mike Wolfe def. #4 Amleto Monacelli, 4-1
(237-180, 231-179, 220-204, 223-268, 218-167)
#28 Brian Himmler def. #21 Joe Ciccone, 4-3
(194-198, 222-201, 216-199, 201-182, 183-217, 174-224, 182-172)
#22 Ritchie Allen def. #27 Blaise Bedolla, 4-0
(201-168, 226-180, 243-147, 219-210)
#10 Walter Ray Williams Jr. def. #7 Tony Reyes, 4-1
(257-203, 238-212, 223-200, 224-227, 236-220)
#9 Tim Criss def. #8 Christopher Collins, 4-2
(174-225, 222-197, 226-203, 247-221, 196-229, 212-180)

300 games - None.

#1 Wes Malott def. #32 Tom Baker, 4-2
(244-269, 210-215, 215-204, 238-194, 195-181, 249-181)
#2 Mika Koivuniemi def. #31 David Traber, 4-1
(244-199, 212-264, 237-223, 203-200, 238-177)
#30 Patrick Allen def. #3 Steve Jaros, 4-2
(214-214 [30-29], 233-195, 226-253, 227-194, 202-209, 233-198)
#4 Amleto Monacelli def. #29 Nathan Bohr, 4-3
(289-194, 200-257, 202-223, 222-214, 158-257, 221-204, 229-207)
#28 Brian Himmler def. #5 Paul Fleming, 4-1
(258-204, 218-203, 247-179, 169-223, 212-205)
#27 Blaise Bedolla def. #6 Chris Barnes, 4-3
(227-217, 237-213, 194-209, 202-194, 212-220, 173-200, 206-189)
#7 Tony Reyes def. #26 Bill O'Neill, 4-1
(206-142, 211-160, 205-206, 248-214, 261-198)
#8 Christopher Collins def. #25 DJ Archer, 4-0
(235-161, 189-156, 224-166, 187-156)
#9 Tim Criss def. #24 Mike DeVaney, 4-1
(197-191, 197-211, 245-199, 216-202, 195-168)
#10 Walter Ray Williams Jr. def. #23 Michael Haugen Jr., 4-2
(226-207, 208-184, 203-216, 245-224, 171-193, 209-198)
#22 Ritchie Allen def. #11 Tommy Delutz Jr., 4-2
(198-255, 238-255, 236-219, 227-207, 243-239, 216-191)
#21 Joe Ciccone def. #12 Brian Kretzer, 4-2
(177-177 [18-19], 221-200, 276-244, 241-236, 145-183, 269-234)
#20 Mike Wolfe def. #13 Brian Voss, 4-3
(199-200, 226-243, 217-199, 234-193, 217-248, 258-204, 223-202)
#19 Jim Tomek Jr. def. #14 Tommy Jones, 4-3
(188-149, 213-207, 186-233, 197-173, 216-235, 201-212, 225-176)
#18 Brad Angelo def. #15 Eugene McCune, 4-2
(214-157, 236-254, 218-234, 220-197, 209-192, 223-219)
#16 Tom Daugherty def. #17 Robert Smith, 4-2
(216-161, 182-209, 220-192, 159-208, 227-213, 265-189)

300 games - None.

Chris Barnes' back isn't 100-percent, but it's healthy enough for him to hit the lanes again. Barnes, who hasn't bowled a full event since October 2005 due to a lower back strain, returned to Denny's PBA Tour competition, finishing sixth in the 2006 Earl Anthony Medford Classic Round of 64 Thursday with a 3,116 14-game pinfall at Lava Lanes.

Barnes withdrew during two events in Nov. 2005 before skipping three events in December. In his first action since Nov. 24, Barnes finished 105 pins behind Wes Malott, who led the field with 3,221.

A six-time Denny's PBA Tour title winner, Barnes shot 222 in his first official game back. "[My back] is at 85 or 90 percent. It's still sore and it gets knots as I bowl," said Barnes, who was fifth entering the day's final game. "The difference now is that it doesn't really stop me from doing anything I want to do in my physical game. I just have to fight through it."

The 35-year-old from Flower Mound, Texas, averaged 220.71 in his first seven-game qualifying block before he averaged 224.43 in his second seven-game set. Barnes will face Blaise Bedolla in the best-of-seven-games match play Round of 32. Bedolla finished tied for 27th with 2,940.

Malott, who tossed the day's lone 300-game, enters match play as the top seed and will face PBA Hall of Famer Tom Baker, who tied for 31st with 2,920. The 2004 PBA Player of the Year Mika Koivuniemi was second with 3,174 and will face David Traber in the Round of 32.

The final four will bowl for the $40,000 top prize and an exemption for the 2006-07 Denny's PBA Tour season on Sunday. ESPN will air the final rounds live on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 10 a.m. PST.

Players with position, hometown, 14-game pinfall and average
Places 33-64 earn $2,000.

1. Wes Malott, Austin, Texas, 3221, 230,07
2. Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 3174, 226,71
3. Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 3153, 225,21
4. Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 3149, 224,93
5. Paul Fleming, Bedford, Texas, 3122, 223,00
6. Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, 3116, 222,57
7. Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 3112, 222,29
8. Christopher Collins, Fayetteville, N.C., 3068, 219,14
9. Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 3059, 218,50
10. Walter Ray Williams Jr. Ocala, Fla., 3040, 217,14
11. Tommy Delutz Jr. Flushing, N.Y., 3030, 216,43
12. Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 3017, 215,50
13. Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 3016, 215,43
14. Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 3005, 214,64
15. Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 3003, 214,50
16. Tom Daugherty, Tampa, Fla., 3001, 214,36
17. Robert Smith, Thousand Oaks, Calif., 2994, 213,86
18. Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 2990, 213,57
19. Jim Tomek Jr. Camp Hill, Pa., 2985, 213,21
20. Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 2982, 213,00
21. Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 2976, 212,57
22. Ritchie Allen, Columbia, S.C., 2959, 211,36
23. Michael Haugen Jr. Las Vegas, 2952, 210,86
24. Mike DeVaney, Temecula, Calif., 2950, 210,71
25. DJ Archer, Mineral Wells, Texas, 2945, 210,36
26. Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 2943, 210,21
27. Blaise Bedolla, Roseburg, Ore., 2940, 210,00
(tie) Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, 2940, 210,00
29. Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 2936, 209,71
30. Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y., 2930, 209,29
31. David Traber, Hebron, Ill., 2920, 208,57
(tie) Tom Baker, King, N.C., 2920, 208,57

Missed Cut:
33. Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 2917, 208,36
34. Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 2913, 208,07
(tie) Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 2913, 208,07
36. Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 2908, 207,71
37. Steve Wilson, Lake Worth, Fla., 2893, 206,64
(tie) Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 2893, 206,64
39. Rudy Kasimakis, Tupelo, Miss., 2890, 206,43
40. Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, 2887, 206,21
41. Marshall Holman, Medford, Ore., 2873, 205,21
42. Dave D'Entremont, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, 2868, 204,86
43. Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 2863, 204,50
44. Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 2862, 204,43
45. Patrick Healey Jr. Flower Mound, Texas., 2861, 204,36
(tie) Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 2861, 204,36
47. Chris Loschetter, Olmsted Falls, Ohio, 2851, 203,64
(tie) Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 2851, 203,64
49. Tore Torgersen, Norway, 2846, 203,29
50. Eric Forkel, Las Vegas, 2845, 203,21
51. Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 2844, 203,14
52. Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 2835, 202,50
53. Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 2829, 202,07
54. Andres Gomez, Bogota, Colombia, 2827, 201,93
55. Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 2818, 201,29
56. Ben Laughlin, Maricopa, Ariz., 2793, 199,50
57. Rick Lawrence, Celina, Texas, 2785, 198,93
58. Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 2766, 197,57
59. Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., 2747, 196,21
60. Ray Edwards, Middle Island, N.Y., 2720, 194,29
61. Randy Weiss, Irmo, S.C., 2673, 190,93
62. Curtiss Bergheim, Vancouver, Wash., 2505, 178,93
63. Dale Eagle, Tavares, Fla., 2499, 178,50
64. Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y. 938 (WD)

300 games - Wes Malott.

Wes Malott picked up right where he left off after a dream first half of the 2005-06 Denny's PBA Tour season. Malott fired a 1,701 seven-game pinfall, including the only 300 game of the morning, to lead the first of two sessions Thursday in the Round of 64 in the 2006 Earl Anthony Medford Classic at Lava Lanes.

The 29-year-old from Austin, Texas entered the second half of the season fourth in the 2005-06 PBA World Point Rankings after winning his first career Tour title in November. His win in the 2005 Mile High Classic came on the Shark Oil Pattern, which is also being used on the lanes this week.

"Things were definitely falling into place today," said Malott, who averaged 236 over the seven games, including his third perfect game of the season in game four. "The lanes this week are playing similar to the way they played in a tournament I bowled in back home last weekend and I bowled well there too."

Mika Koivuniemi, the 2004 PBA Player of the Year from Hartland, Mich., is second with 1,642. Brian Kretzer (Dayton, Ohio) is third with 1,628, while Paul Fleming (Bedford, Texas) is fourth with 1,626.

Commissioner's Exemption Marshall Holman, a PBA Hall of Famer with 22 Tour titles, is 24th with 1,484. The Medford, Ore., native started slow, but averaged 222.20 over his last five games to put himself in position to advance to the Round of 32.

All 64 bowlers will return for another seven games tonight at 6 p.m. PST, with the top 32 advancing to Friday's single elimination, best-of-seven games match play.

The final four will bowl for the $40,000 top prize and an exemption for the 2006-07 Denny's PBA Tour season on Sunday. ESPN will air the final round live from Lava Lanes Sunday, Jan. 8 at 10 a.m. PST.

1. Wes Malott, Austin, Texas, 1701, 243,00
2. Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 1642, 234,57
3. Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 1628, 232,57
4. Paul Fleming, Bedford, Texas, 1626, 232,29
5. Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 1600, 228,57
6. Robert Smith, Thousand Oaks, Calif., 1595, 227,86
7. Tommy Delutz Jr., Flushing, N.Y., 1585, 226,43
8. DJ Archer, Mineral Wells, Texas, 1571, 224,43
9. Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 1563, 223,29
10. Christopher Collins, Fayetteville, N.C., 1560, 222,86
11. Tom Baker, King, N.C., 1553, 221,86
12. Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 1549, 221,29
13. Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, 1545, 220,71
14. Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 1516, 216,57
15. Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 1515, 216,43
16. Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 1513, 216,14
17. Michael Haugen Jr., Las Vegas, 1509, 215,57
18. Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 1508, 215,43
19. Ritchie Allen, Columbia, S.C., 1501, 214,43
(tie) Mike DeVaney, Temecula, Calif., 1501, 214,43
21. Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 1498, 214,00
22. Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 1496, 213,71
23. Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 1486, 212,29
24. Marshall Holman, Medford, Ore., 1484, 212,00
25. Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 1483, 211,86
26. Jim Tomek Jr., Camp Hill, Pa., 1480, 211,43
27. Tore Torgersen, Norway, 1475, 210,71
28. Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 1468, 209,71
29. Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 1467, 209,57
30. Dave D'Entremont, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, 1466, 209,43
31. Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 1461, 208,71
32. Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, 1460, 208,57
33. Tom Daugherty, Tampa, Fla., 1459, 208,43
34. Eric Forkel, Las Vegas, 1449, 207,00
35. Patrick Healey Jr., Flower Mound, Texas, 1445, 206,43
36. Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 1441, 205,86
37. Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, 1438, 205,43
38. Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 1436, 205,14
39. Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 1434, 204,86
40. Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 1432, 204,57
41. Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 1430, 204,29
42. Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y., 1428, 204,00
(tie) Rudy Kasimakis, Tupelo, Miss., 1428, 204,00
44. David Traber, Hebron, Ill., 1425, 203,57
45. Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 1423, 203,29
46. Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 1420, 202,86
47. Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 1416, 202,29
48. Rick Lawrence, Celina, Texas, 1413, 201,86
49. Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 1410, 201,43
50. Chris Loschetter, Olmsted Falls, Ohio, 1402, 200,29
(tie) Steve Wilson, Lake Worth, Fla., 1402, 200,29
52. Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 1401, 200,14
53. Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 1398, 199,71
54. Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., 1393, 199,00
55. Randy Weiss, Irmo, S.C., 1383, 197,57
56. Blaise Bedolla, Roseburg, Ore., 1382, 197,43
57. Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 1379, 197,00
58. Andres Gomez, Bogota, Colombia, 1374, 196,29
59. Ben Laughlin, Maricopa, Ariz., 1366, 195,14
60. Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 1361, 194,43
61. Ray Edwards, Middle Island, N.Y., 1356, 193,71
62. Dale Eagle, Tavares, Fla., 1283, 183,29
63. Curtiss Bergheim, Vancouver, Wash., 1263, 180,43
64. Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y. 938, WD

300 games - Wes Malott.

Eugene McCune is known for his power game on the lanes, but he knows when an adjustment is needed. In Wednesday's Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round for the 2006 Earl Anthony Medford Classic at Lava Lanes, McCune slowed things down to lead the round with a 1,530 seven-game pinfall.

McCune, looking to earn his way back onto the Denny's PBA Tour after failing to earn an exemption for 2005-06, used the momentum of a 256 in game four to lead the qualifying field for the first time this season. McCune, Munster, Ind., slowed the pace of his shot to give the ball more time to hook into the pocket.

"[Lane] conditions were tougher today," said McCune, who averaged 218.57 on the Shark Oil Pattern Wednesday. "You had to be perfect with your speed today. I was throwing the ball as slow as I could to get the ball to move an inch."

Lefty Eric Forkel the top non-exempt bowler in the 2005-06 PBA World Point Rankings, was second with 1,523 while Jim Tomek Jr. was third with 1,497. Jeff Carter was fourth with 1,487 and PBA Senior Tour star Dale Eagle beat out Bryon Smith by five pins for the fifth and final PBA member spot into Thursday's Round of 64 with 1,449.

Amateur Curtiss Bergheim was the top non-member, finishing 9th overall with 1,420. With Pete Weber skipping this week's event, the top-five PBA members and top amateur advanced into the Round of 64.

The final four will bowl for the $40,000 top prize and an exemption for the 2006-07 Denny's PBA Tour season on Sunday. ESPN will air the final rounds live on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 10 a.m. PST.

Players with position, hometown, 7-game pinfall and average.
Places 1-5 and top amateur advance to the Round of 64; places 6-8 cash.

1. Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 1530, 218,57
2. Eric Forkel, Las Vegas, 1523, 217,57
3. Jim Tomek Jr., Camp Hill, Pa., 1497, 213,86
4. Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 1487, 212,43
5. Dale Eagle, Tavares, Fla., 1449, 207,00
6. Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore., 1444, 206,29, $1,000
7. Bob Learn Jr., Erie, Pa., 1436, 205,14, $800
8. Rick Francis, Galt, Calif., 1432, 204,57, $600
9. Curtiss Bergheim, Vancouver, Wash., 1420, 202,86
10. Sean Rash, Wichita, Kann., 1413, 201,86
11. Kevin Henley, Medford, Ore., 1412, 201,71
12. Randy Pedersen, Clermont, Fla., 1407, 201,00
13. Curtis Woods Jr., Santa Rosa, Calif., 1393, 199,00
(tie) Charles Eilenberger, Central Point, Ore., 1393, 199,00
15. Chester Rogers JR., Milwaukie, Ore., 1374, 196,29
16. Don Allen III, Vancouver, Wash., 1368, 195,43
17. Corey Husted, Clackamas, Ore., 1367, 195,29
18. Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore., 1341, 191,57
19. Victor Steffen, Bend, Ore., 1322, 188,86
20. Dennis Horan Jr., Temecula, Calif., 1321, 188,71
21. Kevin Croucher, Grants Pass, Ore., 1302, 186,00
22. Roger LeClair, Clackamas, Ore., 1290, 184,29
23. Matt Freiberg, Somerset, N.J., 1282, 183,14
24. Charles Fick, Vancouver, Wash., 1276, 182,29
25. Randy Scruggs, Brookings, Ore., 1272, 181,71
26. Warren Crawford, Arcata, Calif., 1267, 181,00
27. Brian Blanchard, Skagway, Alaska, 1260, 180,00
(tie) Scott Ridge, Hayden, Idaho, 1260, 180,00
29. Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 1246, 178,00
30. Rick Guined, Eugene, Ore., 1245, 177,86
31. Mike Savoia, Olympia, Wash., 1236, 176,57
32. Aaron Ames, Cottage Grove, Ore., 1222, 174,57
33. Ron Wilkins, Grants Pass, Ore., 1183, 169,00
34. Jim Eriksen, Tacoma, Wash., 1168, 166,86
35. Matt Eilenberger, Central Point, Ore., 1163, 166,14
36. Steve Mead, Ashland, Ore., 1153, 164,71
37. Dean Anderson, Florence, Ore., 1093, 156,14
38. Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan., 1167 (WD)

300 games - None.

After a two-week hiatus, the Denny's PBA Tour returns to action this week with the 2006 Earl Anthony Medford Classic, January 4-8, 2006 in Medford, Ore.

Mike Wolfe, who won the 2005 Empire State Classic to wrap up the season's first half, is the defending champion for the event, as he captured the 2004 Earl Anthony Medford Classic for his first career Tour title. After a dream first half of the season, Mike Scroggins enters the second half of the season leading the Tour in points, earnings and average as the 2006 PBA Player of the Year race begins to heat up.

During Sunday's ESPN telecast of the 2006 Earl Anthony Medford Classic, which begins at 10 a.m. PST, fans will see first round action from the 2005-06 PBA Skills Challenge between Danny Wiseman and Tony Reyes.

Medford native and 22-time Tour titlist Marshall Holman will be the Commissioner's Exemption for the event for the second consecutive season. He'll be looking to improve on his performance last season when he fell to Pete Weber, four-games-to-none, in the Round of 64.