Dave Petruska of the Tucson (Ariz.) Citizen, David Martin of The (Kansas City, Mo.) Pitch, M.F. Piraino and John O'Brien of the Syracuse (N.Y.) Post Standard and Ron Johnson of the Peoria (Ill.) Journal Star claimed top honors in the 2008 US Bowler Writing Competition.

Winners in the 57th annual media awards program, sponsored by the United States Bowling Congress' official membership publication, were announced June 23 during the Bowling Writers Association of America's annual meeting in Las Vegas

Petruska's volunteering to outgoing U.S. President George W. Bush to become bowling's first national czar earned him the top spot in the editorial division. It was Petruska's 19th overall award and first top prize since 1989. He won his first award in 1980.

Martin took the feature division with his story on the Central Missouri State University women's bowling team's aim for a national championship amid a nationwide bowling comeback. It was Martin's first award.

The top spot in the news category was shared by Piraino and O'Brien for their story on USBC's revoking of the New York State Bowling Association's charter. It was O'Brien's first award and Piraino's second after a sixth-place finish in Feature in 2001.

In the second year of the photography division, Johnson won the top prize with a shot that visually showed the variety of fun bowling options such as laser light shows and bumper bowling at a local bowling center.

Each category winner earned $500 from the $4,500 in total prizes.

2008 US BOWLER WRITING COMPETITION RESULTS

EDITORIAL (opinion): 1. Dave Petruska, Tucson (Ariz.) Citizen, $500 (Do the Right Thing, Dubya - Put Bowling on a Roll). 2, Gary Beck, Bowlers Journal International, $300 (Bowling's Handicapping Society). 3, Kent Lowe, Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate News, $200 (Olympic Bowling? Why Not?).
FEATURES (non-fiction articles): 1, David Martin, The Pitch (Kansas City, Mo.), $500 (Strike! As Bowling Makes a Comeback, Central Missouri's Women Aim for a National Championship). 2, P.J. Huffstutter, Los Angeles Times, $400 (Piece of Bowling History Rolls Away); 3. Barry Sparks, Bowling Center Management, $300 (Rescue Mission). 4, Daniel P. Smith, Bowling Center Management, $200 (Higher Ed). 5, Thomas Madrecki, Bowlers JournalInternational, $100 (After School with the Professor).

NEWS (next-day coverage): 1, M.F. Piraino and John O'Brien, Syracuse (N.Y.) Post-Standard $500 (N.Y. Bowling Association Charter Revoked); 2. Traci Shurley, Fort Worth(Texas) Star-Telegram, $300 (Bowling Group Favors Moving to Arlington); 3, Don Walker, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, $200 (11th Hour Nears for Bowling Congress).

PHOTOGRAPHY: 1, Ron Johnson, Peoria (Ill.) Journal Star, $500 (Local Lanes Provide Bowlers a Variety of Fun Options); 2. Ryann Cooley, VIBE Magazine, $200 (Get Your Roll On). 3, Kelly Wilkinson, Indianapolis Star, $200 (Roll Your Own: Options Abound for Families Looking for Fun).