By Tony Baranek
Peggy Schubbe and Kevin Kullman have more in common than being the top female and male bowlers in the Southland for the 2013-14 season.
They’ve bowled in a summer league together. Schubbe also is a substitute on Kullman’s Thursday Night Miller Men’s league.
Their averages? Nothing in common there.
“Oh, he’s way better than I am,” Schubbe said, laughing. “I don’t have to give him any tips. If anything is going on I call or text him and say, ‘Hey, I need something here.’ ”
Schubbe was second to none among women on the Southland lanes who bowled a full-season schedule. The 31-year-old Plainfield resident averaged 219 in her Tuesday Night Ladies league at Orland Bowl. Her high game for the season was 298, her high series a 774.
The best half-season effort among women was turned in by Brandi Branka, of Momence, who averaged 240 in the Wednesday St. George Mixed League at Orland Bowl.
Schubbe was the USBC Chicagoland Woman Bowler of the Year in 2012-13. She also averaged 219 during that season.
It’s been an upward progression, Schubbe said, for the past several seasons.
“Six or seven years ago I made a huge jump in average, about 20 pins from 180 to 200,” she said. “When I was younger, I didn’t realize the importance of ball changes and needing new equipment. Now I realize that more, and the past two years have been my ultimate years.
“I would say it (strength) is more speed than anything. I’m pretty consistent between 17-18 miles an hour. I’m also a very good spare shooter, which is the name of the game.”
Schubbe edged Melissa Gawlik-Stadt, of Burbank, who averaged 218 in the Wednesday Rhino Mixed League at Centennial Lanes. Stadt is one of the Southland’s busiest women bowlers.
“Bowling five nights a week and working a full-time job is pretty crazy, but it was a great stress reliever,” Stadt said. “I enjoy the people I bowl with. The best part of this year was by far my three 300s in two months. Very exciting.”
Other top area women bowlers included Erica Merritt (213), Renee Poisson (213) and Angela Reed (212), all from Burr Oak Bowl.
Kullman averaged 242 on Thursday nights at Centennial Lanes. It was a career high that was lacking in only one respect.
“It was a good year and a bad year,” he said. “The good part is that it was 240-plus (average). But the bad part was that for the first season in I can’t tell you how long that I haven’t thrown a 300 game. But I also dropped from three nights to just one to focus on getting more physically and mentally prepared for PBA events.”
Kullman, 26, of Lockport, has 40 career 300 games, 20 career 800 series and multiple tournament titles. He was the Chicagoland Bowling Association Bowler of the Year in 2010.
“A lot of it comes from competing in the PBA and just having to be so consistent and being knowledgeable of your surroundings,” Kullman said. “It’s the finer details that people look past make you that step ahead of people.”
Chris Schuch, of Oak Lawn, finished close behind Kullman in average with a 240 mark in the Wednesday Men’s Bowling league at Orland Bowl. Also at the top of the season list were Mike Hannafin (238) at Centennial Lanes, Ron Davis (238) at Orland Bowl, Jason Wojnar (237) at Centennial Lanes and Jeffrey Zoppa (237) at Orland Bowl.