The 72nd Ann Schmitter Tournament, held April 18–19 at Lucky Strike Lanes in Mansfield, Connecticut, delivered one of the most thrilling finishes in recent memory. In a field packed with standout performances, William Gauthier, Jr. emerged victorious by the narrowest of margins, edging out runner-up Drew Gensicki by just a single pin. Gauthier’s five-game total of 836—thanks to consistent scoring (142, 101, 111, 122, 120) and a 240-pin handicap—was just enough to hold off Gensicki’s late charge.

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While Gauthier could not be reached for comment, second-place finisher Gensicki had plenty to share. In his visit to Lucky Strike Lanes in January, Gensicki captured a doubles tournament title with partner Andy Godek.  Gensicki's 725 scratch total this time around earned him the scratch title, and he nearly took the whole thing again. “In games four and five I was starting to get in my head a little bit after starting with 470 in the first three games,” he said. “I started off slow in games four and five having 64 in the sixth frame of both games, but then I calmed myself down and said, you still have four frames left, Drew, get a couple marks here and you’ll be able to finish the job.” Gensicki did just that, finishing both games strong to log 122 and 133, respectively, and come up just one pin short.

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Among the other top performances, Rick Ganoe of North Windham placed third with an 828 handicapped score, while Kristen Cochefski posted the high game of the tournament with a brilliant 184. “The four timer was definitely the key moment for me in that game,” she explained. “The fourth strike was a little iffy, but the pins fell in my favor.” Cochefski also took second in the scratch division, narrowly behind Gensicki. Tom Clauson wasn’t far behind with a high game of 183, noting, “The key was being lucky enough to throw a double and not missing any spare breaks.”

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Another story that stood out from the weekend was the conclusion of the CT Duckpins Tournament Series season. By finishing fifth in the final regular season event, 64-year-old Andy Godek of West Haven clinched the top spot in the series rankings. The win capped a remarkable comeback year after a 30-year absence from the game. After getting his start at the old Villa Rose Lanes in Windsor Locks in 1969, Godek achieved some success in the late eighties and early nineties, including two tournament wins in 1991 alone, but then gave up the game. “I was cleaning my basement and found my old duckpin bowling equipment. It occurred to me that I used to have so much fun duckpin bowling, so I sought out to give it a try,” Godek shared recently. He credited his return to the lanes to encouragement from Sandy and Ken Thomas and the welcoming duckpin community.  His goal for this season was simply to earn enough points to rank as a qualifier for the CT Duckpins Series Finals; instead, he got the top spot.

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For Godek, this season wasn’t just about scores. “To be welcomed into the duckpin community has allowed me to make so many new friends and changed my life in such meaningful ways,” he said. His most memorable moment came alongside Gensicki, when the duo captured the aforementioned doubles victory in January.  It was a dramatic victory as entering the final frames, the title appeared slightly out of reach.  However, Gensicki doubled in the nith and tenth frames, and Godek spared in the final box. “It was both a joyous and bittersweet moment for Drew with the recent passing of his grandfather," Godek remarked, "I will be forever grateful to have played a role in that most special day in Drew’s life."  That moment seems to have been a springboard for Gensicki who now steps foot on the lanes at each tournament with this thought: “I know that every time I’m out there bowling I have my grandpa and my uncle Joe and all my family cheering me on."

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With the tournament series wrapped, Godek, Gensicki, and the rest of the top 36 bowlers now advance to the CT Duckpins Series Finals on May 3 at the TKB Club in Vernon. After a season filled with close calls, clutch moments, and heartwarming stories, this final event promises even more drama.

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