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38 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, December 21, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 9, 2004 Central Point’s Eilenberger just misses shot at the big time By TIM TROWER Mail Tribune Chuck Eilenberger is part of a storied Southern Oregon bowling family, and he nearly scripted the clan’s most riveting chapter yet. The Central Point resident came within one gut-wrenching frame Wednesday of earning a place opposite Walter Ray Williams Jr. in the Earl Anthony Medford Classic. But in qualifying for the lone amateur berth in the Professional Bowlers Association event, Shawn Copeland of Milwaukie held off Eilenberger in the ninth and final game at Lava Lanes to advance. Eilenberger trailed Copeland, long a regional pro who only recently dropped his PBA card, by 43 pins after eight games. But he made up ground and needed a good showing in the 10th frame to force Copeland, bowling next to him, to do the same. Advertisement Eilenberger’s first ball hit light on the head pin, however, leaving the 2-4-5. He picked up his spare, then got seven on his last ball. At best, he forced Copeland to mark in the final frame, and the drama ended when Copeland began the 10th with a strike. "There was a lot of pressure, and it was a tough condition," said Eilenberger of the lane oil pattern he’s not accustomed to seeing. "But I had a great time. To have it right here in our backyard, an opportunity like this doesn’t come around very often. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed it." He would have enjoyed it more if it were him moving on to face Williams, the world’s top-ranked player. Copeland and Williams face off in a best-of-seven match at 6 tonight. There will be two squads today featuring 16 matches each. The first starts at 11 a.m. Copeland had a total pinfall of 1,864, and Eilenberger was at 1,843, finishing 10th and just out of the money. Ninth place overall paid $500. Steve Mead of Ashland was third out of nine amateurs at 1,835, and Jerome Lee of Medford finished fourth at 1,770. Both Eilenberger and Copeland felt their nerves act up as the final game unfolded. "The ol’ hand might have gotten a little tighter when I saw the opening going into the last game," said Eilenberger. "I made a couple of good shots there and had an opportunity. That’s all you can ask for." Given his professional background, Copeland has been in pressure-packed situations before. He first joined the Northwest Region in 1990 and was on and off it until three months ago. He went back to being an amateur to devote more time to his family, which will soon grow by one with his and his wife’s second child, and work. Regional members who have their amateur status reinstated don’t have to go through a waiting period. Copeland thought he was in good shape after bowling a 245 in Game 7, only to discover Eilenberger had answered with a 236. Copeland had a 228 and Eilenberger a 200 in Game 8 to set the stage. "If I told you I wasn’t nervous," said Copeland, "I’d be lying. But I’ve been there before and knew what to do. I just had to relax and take some deep breaths." The right lane of the pair gave Copeland trouble from the outset. His ball skidded outside and thrice left variations of the 2-10 split. Eilenberger, meanwhile, struck in the fifth and sixth frames to pull within three pins overall. But a good ball in the seventh resulted in a 10-pin leave. "You never know," said Eilenberger. "If that carries, it puts me ahead of him. But it didn’t happen." Neither player was shy about stealing glances toward the other. "I like it when they’re right next door to me," said Eilenberger. "Normally under those conditions, if I see someone make an erratic shot, it gets the ol’ adrenaline going. Then it’s an ol’-fashioned showdown." Copeland gathered himself after his rocky start with strikes in the sixth and eighth frames — both on the left lane — then went back to his good lane to finish off Eilenberger in the 10th. "That was just a bonus," said Copeland, "because I don’t know if I could have thrown a strike on the right side. By striking, it took all the pressure off having to spare in the 10th." Mead, meanwhile, made a late charge. He didn’t have a 200 game through the first five, then finished with four of them. Included were a 256 and 246. Other amateurs who attempted to qualify were Medford’s Kevin Henley (fourth amateur, 1,713), Medford’s Taz Sutherlin (fifth, 1,627), Medford’s Andy Magerle (sixth, 1,620), Central Point’s Jason McCleary (seventh, 1,585), Central Point’s Matt Eilenberger (eighth, 1,566) and Yreka’s (Calif.) Aaron Bennett (ninth, 1,423). Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 776-4479, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. 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