Richard Antol
Richard L. "Richie" Antol is one of the greatest bowlers ever produced in Mercer County, who also had an outstanding coaching record with youth bowling and baseball. The Sharon High grad began his career on the alleys at the age of 10, working as a pinsetter at the former Hickory Recreation Lanes. He won his first of many championships at age 15 when he teamed with Ed Janusko to win the Mercer County Bowling Association (MCBA) doubles title. At 19, he became the youngest bowler ever to win the MCBA All-Events title.
He began competing in national events and successfully scored at ABC Nationals, the Petersen tourney, National BPAA All-Star tourney and others. In 1958, he rolled his first 700 set, a rare feat in the 1950s and '60s. At age 60 he rolled his highest-ever set, 813. He carried an average over 200 for 30 years, highest being 226. In 1961 at age 23 Richie won the Mercer County BPAA match-game title. At that age he rolled the first ever 300 game at Hickory Bowl. He has rolled 8 perfect games, the last at age 68.
In 1972, he turned professional and competed on the PBA Tour. His pro career was cut short by a job change and move to Traverse City, Mich. Several years later he bowled on the Senior PBA Tour and cashed in two tourneys. His Major Classics team set city records there as he nailed a 750 set and 289 game to aid the 5-man effort.
He coached the St. Francis High bowling team in Traverse City from 2003-08, his team winning the Michigan High School Class C State Championship. Besides bowling, he was a successful baseball coach and manager in the Shenango Valley for 11 years, beginning in 1962. His Little League teams from '62 to '65 won a league title and finished second three times. He managed the Hermitage National Division All-Star team.
He became manager of the Dan's Tires team in the Hickory Junior Varsity League, winning the championship three times in five years. He then moved up to coach with manager - and Hall of Famer Nick Mamone - with Hickory General Motors in the American Legion league. The team won league titles two of the three years he coached and won or placed in outside tournaments as well. He was proudest of the success of some of the players he coached both in and out of sports including George Spetar, Les Ream, Jim Raykie, Lynn Jones, Mark Stupka and others.Richie was inducted into the Mercer County Bowling Hall of Fame in 2003 and Traverse City Area Bowler's Hall of Fame in 2005.