Rick Wayne of Westland won the Michigan State Masters at Pro Bowl West Lanes in Lansing Sunday when he defeated Joe Manor of Lansing 477-365 to win the $5,000 first prize and the title. Manor settled for the second place check of $2,500.

 Wayne qualified 16^th with 1,317. He won his first four matches to remain in the winner’s bracket with triumphs over Kerry Kreft of Warren 394-378, top qualifier Robert Mireles of Lansing 397-385, 2008 champion Jeffrey Austreng of Waterford Township 398-388 and Troy Stus of South Lyon 407-373. Once in the loser’s bracket he beat Jonathan Schiller of Milford 425-401 and avenged his earlier loss to Manor 479-450 to force a final match in the two-game double elimination format. Wayne then jumped out to 92-pin lead, 279-187, after the first game of the final match and never looked back.

 He also won a paid entry into the 2011 USBC Masters, which will be contested in Reno in February 2011. 

“Just having fun, that’s my motto,” said the 49-year-old Wayne. “I really enjoy bowling on sport condition and the condition was very fair to everyone.” 

“This is the first title I’ve ever won except for league titles.” he continued. “I had knee surgery last summer and it has made a world of difference in my bowling this season.” 

Manor qualified second with 1,427. He remained in the winner’s bracket with victories over Jonathan Schiller 448-399, Jeff Edwards of Sterling Heights 448-434, Dan Maclelland of Saginaw 451-404, Randy Warnken of Clinton Township 483-365 and Rick Wayne the first time 430-426. In the championship match he lost to Wayne 479-450 and 477-365 to finish second.

 Jonathan Schiller qualified 31^st with 1,259. He lost his first match 448-399 to Manor before reeling off seven consecutive wins and losing to Wayne. His wins in the loser’s bracket were to Robert Chamberlain Jr. of Holly 497-430, Matt Roberts of Hudsonville 377-322, John Essenmacher Jr. of Lenox 478-367, defending champion Tom Smallwood of Saginaw 459-419, Jeffrey Austreng 460-376, Randy Warnken 448-423 and Mike Norris of Melvindale 400-363 before being knocked out by Wayne 425-401. He took home $1,250.

 Mike Norris qualified 18^th with 1,305. In match play he lost his first match to Jeff Edwards 399-313. Once in the loser’s bracket he defeated Kerry Kreft 426-394, Mason Brantley of Detroit 378-355, Terence Haines II of Dearborn Heights 479-349, Greg Robinson of Lansing 483-392, Dan Maclelland 469-391 and Troy Stus 380-378 before being eliminated by Schiller 400-363. Norris settled for $750.

 Top qualifier Robert Mireles of Lansing led qualifying by 10 pins with 1,437. He beat Robert Chamberlain Jr. 456-451 before falling to Rick Wayne 397-385. In the loser’s bracket he got knocked out of the competition by Bo Goergen of Sanford 445-417. He settled for $225 plus $100 as the high qualifier.

 The field of 102 bowlers averaged 200.3 during the six games of qualifying. The top game in qualifying was recorded by Rick Wayne of Westland with 287. In match play Brian Waliczek of Birch Run had the top game with 300.

The top 32 qualifiers averaged 219.8 during qualifying and 207.2 in match play. 

The Michigan State USBC Masters Tournament is a USBC certified event operated by the Michigan State USBC Association.

 2010 MICHIGAN STATE USBC ASSOCIATION

MASTERS TOURNAMENT AT PRO BOWL WEST LANES

 ALTERNATE FOR MATCH PLAY

     33   Christopher Brady                 Flint                                         1248                           $175