This past weekend at Helena's Sleeping Giant Lanes, Great Falls' Bruce Steffani and Missoula's Tina Davis captured titles at the U.S. Open Qualifier.

Steffani beat Missoula's Jon Conger, 233-178, to win the championship.

Steffani collected $1,150 for the win, and also won an entry into next year's U.S. Open.

In the men's stepladder, Miles City's Brad Muri opened the finals with a 232-202 win over Missoula's Dave Sears. Muri then defeated Bozeman's Monte Baker, 238-164, before falling to Steffani, 267-233.

Steffani also recorded a 299 game in qualifying. He left a 6-pin on his final ball.

Davis, also Sunday's top seed, turned back Helena's Terri Johnson, 216-184, in the final to pocket $300 and an entry into next season's U.S. Women's Open.

Billings' Becky Millman opened the stepladder with a 210-148 victory over Great Falls' Barb Lankford. Millman fell to Johnson in a four-frame roll-off. Johnson then defeated Great Falls' Kristen Dehn 207-204 in the semifinal.

Other local bowlers making the top 24 included Bruce Hruska ($240), who was 14th; Steve Martin was 17th ($210) and Mike Carrette 18th ($200).

Besides Lankford, who won $165 for fourth, and Dehn, who pocketed $185 third, Fort Benton's Guyla Streit and Amanda Jensen, finished seventh and 15th, respectively, for the women.

The tourney drew 71 men's entries and 23 women's.

High, I mean high scores were the order last week around the area's houses.

Steve Martin fiddled with the elusive 800 series mark, turning in a nice 782 in the Wednesday MixMasters at Little's.

Martin's set included games of 269, 278 and a 235.

Dan Schaff was right behind with a 770 series in the 725 Classified, coming on games of 268, 243 and 259.

Kristen Dehn was high for the women with a 656 series, also in the MixMasters. Dehn reeled off games of 215, 232 and 209.

At the Elks, Ross Rambo put together games of 253, 248 and 226 for a 727 set in the Bull Elks, high for the men.

Also worth mentioning was Doug LeVeque's 285 game in the Monday Ag league.

Lisa Dunn's 622, on games of 225 and 203, in the Friday Mixed led the women.

Jeff Laird paced the scores at Aces High on Malmstrom A.F.B. with a 714 series in the Thursday Mixed. Laird's series included games of 258 and 253.

And, Leonard Peterson gets a nod after firing a 598 series, with games of 232 and 224, in the Howard Ghee League at Black Eagle. The series was 106 total pins over his average.

Curt Backa, a pocket 7-10 split waiting to happen, is a Tribune sports writer, copy editor and resident bowling fluke. Backa, when not busy with roundball duties, can be reached at 791-6569, 800 438-6600 or e-mailed at cbacka@greatfallstribune.com

Snowy Lanes / Lewistown

Women's scores

Monday Doubles— Melissa Balthazor 201

Tuesday Trio— Fran Coats 200

Thursday Seniors— Jo Laughlin 214(+67)-551(+110), Carol Strander 199(+48)

Sunday Mixed — Kelly Bracha 212, Karol Thompson 209(+90), Jamie Bentley 190(+53)

Men's scores

Monday Commercial— Dewey Rosman 267-704, Bill Baldwin 243, Jim Rasmussen 247, James Shirey 203(+53)

Monday Doubles— Rex Coleman 233-668

Tuesday Skyliners— Tyler Zackus 234(+78), Brandon Bergstrom 224(+64)

Thursday Seniors— Jim Strouf 145(+49)

Thursday Money— Rex Coleman 267-741, Jim Rasmussen 225, Larry Maier 223(+57), Merl Coats 224(+50)-648(+126)

Thursday Merchant— Rex Coleman 246-677

Sunday Mixed— Dewey Rosman 256-659, Dean Person 236, Rex Coleman 235, Steve Bracha 209(+56)

Black Eagle Lanes / Great Falls

BECC Friday Mixed— B Richards 239

Black Eagle Bums—Don White 235, Ron Rose 224 (+62), Hutch Spangelo 222 (+69), Brad Dockter 211 (+63), Jeremy Whitfield 207 (+55), Josh LaRoque 193 (+58); Duwayne Osterman 119 triplicate

Thursday Howard Ghee— Leonard Peterson 232-224-598 (+106), Rich Gaskins 491 (+101)

Wicked Wednesday— Alyssa Johnson 180 (+59), Charlene Marshall 149 (+58)-419 (+146)

BECC Seniors— Ed VanVleet 213, Hank Rimkus 212

Monday Volunteers— Andy Thomas 222 (+68)

Tuesday Club 55 — Mary Ann Komar 177 (+55)

Glacier Lanes / Cut Bank

Thursday Commercial— Doug Crail 191 (+56)-199 (+64)-522 (+147), Ron Dumontier 184 (+58), Ron Luedtke 189 (+47, sr.)-211; Robbie Racine 172 (+52), Thomas Rutherford 215 (+51)

Sunday Mixed— Mark Barrett 187 (+56)

Happy Bowlers (Seniors)— J.W. Eaton 223, Dennis Howell 169 (+53), Donna Lenoir 162 (+50)

Wednesday Ladies— Kelly Fassett 173 (+61)

Elks Lanes / Great Falls

Monday AG League— Doug LeVeque 285(+129); Rick Cummings 233; Larry Cummings(sr) 216-204-604; Rod Hackett(sr) 223-201-609; Butch Waltari(sr) 207(+51). Women — Jean Ostlie(sr) 194; Delores Schwartz(sr) 181(+45)177(+52). Renee LeVeque picked up 3-6-7-10 split; Rod Hackett(sr) picked up 6-7 split.

Monday Jack & Jill Mixed— Coley King 227; Ron Miller(sr) 225(+50); Ron Meyers(sr) 212(+50)-201; Adam Kanning 208(+52) Rod Hackett(sr) 203-201. Women — Tracy Rigor 222-202; Connie Dickman 200; Sheila Brady 200. Dorothy Vukasin picked up 5-8-10.

Tuesday Nite Men— Wayne Maurer(sr) 269(+85)-648; Ron Miller(sr) 254(+66)-214-644; Ken Ferguson(sr) 253(+71)-214-206-673; Rod Hackett(sr) 245-212-629; Gale Swanson(sr) 245(+64)-231-671(+128); Al DeBortoli(sr) 235(+53)-632; Talbert Bryan(sr) 238(+56)-204-203-645; Darwin Reeve(sr) 226; Dan Jackson 226(+56); Jim Dixon(sr) 235-232-206-673; Al Ridder 225; Kip Seydel 224(+62); Mike Beggs(sr) 219; Mel Wardell(sr) 216; Larry Cummings(sr) 216-204; Bob Standley(sr) 215; Rex Tanberg(sr) 214; Jim Rothweiler(sr) 211; Bill Brown(sr) 207; Sam Lucero(sr) 206(+62); Lee LeVeque(sr) 205; Rich Rossberg(sr) 203; Bob Rioux(sr) 203; Larry Veach(sr) 201.

Wednesday Bull Elks— Scott Rodger 278-681; Ross Rambo 253-248-226-727(+139); Talbert Bryan 248(+65)-240-681; Randy Guill(sr) 244-233-667; Dave Keil 243-232-222-697(+130); Jim Pickering(sr) 231-216-639; Dan Rollheiser 224(+56); Doc Basta(sr) 207; Dave Gifford(sr) 216; Norm Miller(sr) 215; Chuck Dailey(sr) 215; Bud Hagen 214(+64); Chad Manns 214(+51); John Figarelle(sr) 207(+77)-500(+110); Ken Price(sr) 200.

Elks Seniors— Rod Hackett 236-214-639; Len Buls 251(+79); Chet Knab 246(+101)-540(+105); Darwin Reeve 234(+63)-608; Jim Remsh 225; Chuck Dailey 224(+57); Tom Bastas 217(+61); Tony Degele 215-201; Steve Lyzewski 201; Bob Ramsted 200. Women — Shirley Christianson 223(+71); Carol Martin 204(+77); Della Johnson 202; Donna Nugee 181(+52). Roger Dietz picked up 6-7-10 split; Barry Fields picked up 4-5 split; and Barb Bessler picked up 5-8-10 split.

Thursday Ladies— Kay Kinzinger 242(+89)-588(+129); Sheila Brady 212(+53); Vera Smereck(sr) 196; Angela Guttormsen 171(+53)-478(+124); Jenn Pospisil 169(+52).

Friday Mixed— Mike Baumgartner 243(+62); Chuck Bartels 242; Rex Tanberg(sr) 215-200-603; Kevin Vernon 215(+64); Jim Dick 594(+105); Doug Casity(sr) 202. Women — Lisa Dunn 225(+60)-203-622(+127); Terri Nall 222(+55); Robyn Bush 217(+65); Hillary Vukasin 213; Jan Green 169(+52)-451(+100.

Saturday Van's IGA Mixed— Steve Edwards(sr) 243(+66); Bill Sybrant(sr) 233-205-203-641; Dan Woodcock(sr) 226-214; Brad Hayden 211(+53); Boomer Brunner(sr) 208; Mike Resler 206(+53)-562(+103); Dave West 192(+52).

Sunday Early Birds — Rod Hackett(sr) 247; Gary Willits(sr) 224-205-603; Chuck Martin(sr) 220-201-612; Bob Chesko(sr) 223;Ken Beck(sr) 213(+52)-586(+103); Terry Tigart(sr) 213(+67)-541(+103). Women — Renee LeVeque 214(+69)-212-178-604(+169) first 600 series; Amber Pedersen 205(+55); Christie Schlagel 143(+54); Janine Chesko 475(+103). Dorothy Vukasin picked up 3-7 split.

Little's Lanes / Great Falls

Women's scores

Senior Citizens— Violet Harris 198 + 60, Peggy Yetter 239, Betty Quickenden 144 +52.

Teacher's Mixed— Karen Arps 214.

Monday Ladies Classic — Linda Michel 206, Pam Bigelow 203, Lori Hopp 207, Kat Vincent 190 +59, Kelly Lawson 184 +54, Trina Shaw 179 +55.

Casino League— Terry Tobiness 201.

Tuesday Night Mixed— Lori Ueland 200, Judy Vogel picked up the 4-7-10 split.

Wednesday A.M. Trio— Fern Voeller 171 +54.

A to Z— Kay Kinzinger 204, picked up the 3-6-7-10 split, Donna Wingard 199 +55, Cheri Alexander picked up the 4-10 split, Bertha Ferguson picked up the 4-6-10 split.

Mix Masters— Karin Osborn 224, 204, 215-643, Kristen Dehn 215, 232, 209-656, Doris Kimmerle 226, Guyla Streit 201, 212.

M.F.C.U.— Nancy Brus picked up the 4-710 split, Lindy Crocker 203, Holly Vukasin 207.

725 Classified— Doris Kimmerle 212, 217, 223-652, Kristen Dehn 237-605, Jackie Graham 207.

Classic Trio— Kay Kinzinger picked up the 2-4-5-7-10 split.

Straight-A-Way (PBA Experience) — Doris Kimmerle 205, 245, 214-1024 (5).

Satellite Mixed— Jeannette Laird 206, Ethel Sayler picked up the 4-10 split.

Men's scores

Senior Citizens— Bill Claassen 202, Jim Pickering 205, Roger Sherman 203, Pat Terry 216, 202-605, Leonard Buls 206, Dale Sirucek 209, Steve Lyczewski 2001, Roger Deitz 204.

Teacher's Mixed— John Toenyes (sr) 210, 204, Charlie Compton 225.

Casino League— Mark Pettis 227, Donnie Zuhoski 236.

Tuesday Night Mixed— Bernie E. Dickman (sr) 205, 231.

Little's City— Curby Dennis (sr) 211, Chuck Winn 244-659, Reid Michel 229, Max Vanheel 198 +58, Steve Howse 233, Roscoe Sanborn (sr) 212, Ron Nelson (sr) 201, Mike Picking (sr) 202, Mike Friman 225, Ken Curry 258, 236-667.

Mix Masters— Darren Rowe 234, Steve Martin 269, 278, 235 - 782, Ryan Moody 246, Bruce Hruska 245, 655, Al Fenner 237, Jim Dixon 268, 231, Jim Svir 225, Paul Dehn 259, Mike Arps 261, Jim Aklestad (sr) 213, 222, Donnie White (sr) 203, 233 - 616, Chuck Lull (sr) 226, Ken Curry 232, Steve Volk 237, 233, Bob Orham (sr) 220, 220 - 619, Pat Terry (sr) 243, 209 - 608, Marlin Cross (sr) 225-609, Brian Christianson 232, Kyle Wheatley 234, Roger Deitz (sr) 213, 224-620, Mick Brown (sr) 215, 216.

M.F.C.U.— Dony Service 210 +58, 217 +65, Dave Burress 225 +86, Ken Huston 246 +79.

725 Classified— Ron Meyers (sr) 242, Al Pearsall (sr) 211, 224, 201 - 636, Glenn Jeffrey III 228 - 659, Kyle Wheatley 231, Mel Willey (sr) 222, Bruce Hruska 237, 256-713, Jack Lien (sr) 214, Dan Schaaf 268, 243, 259-770, Mike Carrethers (sr) 203, 264-649, Tim Neuroth 235, Fred Sadler (sr) 211, 204, Ron Corkin 237, 236-688, Brian Christianson 245.

Thursday Night Mixed— Fred Berry (sr) 232, 211, Dan Wilkerson (sr) 200, 219, Ron Nelson (sr) 215, Joe Paranteau 235.

Short Short Season Trio— Brian Christianson 247, 243-704, Donnie White (sr) 203, 215, 211-629, Scott Coulston 231.

Straight-A-Way (PBA Experience)— Willie McGee (sr) 211, 236, 226-673, Jack Hawley 226, Lucas Cyr 225, 246, 231 - 1089 (5), Bob Orham (sr) 218, 205, 205-606.

Alibi Mixed— Joey Palmerton 229, Mick Brown (sr) 222, Dennis Vandenberg 229.

Satellite Mixed— Chuck Stein 192 +51, Jo Ovalle 235, Bernie K. Dickman 234, 244-674, Joe Bourne 257, Kyle Grossman 249, 226-678, Leonard Peterson (sr) 212.

Aces High / Malmstrom A.F.B.

Christian Intramural— Fred Sadler 200 (sr.), Bruce Steffani 246, Eric Crawford 266-238-668, Rich Crawford 225

Wednesday Intramurals— Dave Torkelson 210, Jaysen Cortez 169 (+63), Robert Wray 210 (+73)

Thursday Mixed —Jeff Laird 258-253-714, Jerry Rangitsch 200 (sr.), Martha Beebe 204, 184 all-spare game; Victoria Hull 202, Brenda Maheux 201, Marilynn Taylor 201

Jack's Lanes / Fort Benton

Tues Nite Mixed— Guyla Streit 234; Amanda Jensen 208; Tom Willson 232

Ladies Triple L— Doris Shaver 203

Thursday Nite Men's— Tom Willson 245-245-665; Randy Kerbs 229; Bill Madsen 225

Pro Alley Bowl / Belt

Belt Valley Mixed— John Wood 257-645, Bob Berard 234-640, Charlie Pepos 622 (sr.), Dennis Nebel 223 (+50), 6-7-10 split; Bruce Hoyer 224 (+50), Lita Howes 4-9-10 split; Mary Antonich 3-6-10 split