The Butler High boys and girls bowling teams clinched a Western Pennsylvania Regional playoff berth as a result of a sweep of North Allegheny in Western Pa. Interscholastic Bowling League action last Wednesday at Family Bowlaway.

The boys swept through the Tigers, winning 5-2. Captain Brandt Fleming led the charge with a 638 series. Jacob Cookson chipped in with a 593 set, and Cody Rosenbauer added a 209 game.

The Lady Tornado also took home a 5-2 win, led by Nicole Balk’s 552 series. Brea Suchonic added a 550 series, and Megan Paul tossed a 536 set in the win.

Both varsity teams will take 8-0 records to Bruin Lanes this Wednesday for a match with Karns City. Start time is 3:30 pm.

TriviaFormer PBA player Andy Neuer holds the USBC record for most 300 games in one season. How many perfect games did Neuer roll in 2010-2011? Answer at the end of the column.

Tip of the WeekIncreasing or decreasing your bowling ball speed to changing lane conditions can be achieved numerous ways. Here is one way of doing just that. If you want to increase the speed of your ball, simply increase the tempo of your pushaway.Push the ball out from your body quicker. It will increase your tempo, and your feet will follow. Do just the opposite to slow your ball speed. Push the ball away at a slower tempo.

Changes at NationalsThe USBC announced some changes to the Open Championships, beginning with the 2013 tournament at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev.The first change involves the daily schedule. Doubles and singles squads will begin at 7 a.m. and 11 a.m., followed by back-to-back team events at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. The day will conclude with a double and singles squad at 10:30 p.m.The change will allow for fresh lane oil to be applied before every squad. Another change is that for singles and doubles, each pair will have six bowlers, a change from the usual four bowlers, and instead of changing pairs after doubles, all six games will be bowled on the same pair.A final change is the entry fee. It will increase to $55 per bowler, per event, up $10 from the current entry fee. It is the first change in entry fee since 2007.

USBC inducts fourThe USBC Hall of Fame recently elected Amleto Monacelli, Tom Baker, Dave Husted, and Dede Davidson to the Superior Performance wing. All of them are great bowlers, and the honor is well deserved.

Marcellus rolls 11thCongratulations goes out to Brian Marcellus, who rolled his 11th career 300 game this past Tuesday night during City League play at Sherwood Lanes.

Top scorersCasino League: Bob Cupp, 277 (773), Don Bender, 225 game, Deborah Bender, 211 game, Patty Fay, 190 game, Ralph Jockel, Sr., 209 ... Armco C: Mike Helmstaedter rolled the first nine strikes en route to a league-leading 279 game. Dale Linaberger, 267 (719), and Nick Slomer, 259 (688) also bowled well ... Jim Hepler fired a 267 game on the way to a 778 series in the Fox’s Pizza Den League. Josh Bombara, 235 (677), and Jim Gannon, 266 game, also bowled well ... Coins: Mary Schultheis, 183 (504), Judy Kennedy, 243 game, Becky Devore, 563 series ... Chad Reges fired a 747 series in Fruit Loops League play at Sherwood.

Trivia answerNeuer rolled 39 perfect games in one season. Tammy Jones of Illinois holds the women’s record of 11 perfect games, and Steve Novak and Shane Tatterton each rolled 1 perfect games in youth league play.

Ron Willison is a bowling columnist for the Butler Eagle