Great Lakes Dart Classic / NDHOF Induction Sept 28-Oct 1 2006

After the induction ceremony it was time to play the quarter-finals. My opponent is Brad Wethington and we have one heck of a match. Despite me tossing a 13dart leg in the second stanza, Brad advances with a beautiful 160 finish.

The last event of the evening is the mixed doubles. My partner is Les Rager and this is the first time we have played. We play solid throughout and advance through a tough match versus Ray Carver and Marion Carli in the round of 8 to reach the semi-finals. But in the semis the duo of June "Bug" Lehey and Ed "Bam Bam" Debenke prove to strong. Another event a round short and that kind of sums up my day. But this weekend was about much more then just winning events. And as we headed for another late night dinner I was ear to ear smiles.

Sunday morning rolls around and I notice the ache in my shoulder has turned to something much more devious. As I warm up at home my first dart missed the dartboard low as my arm cramps and twinges uncontrollably. My shoulder had been bothering me all weekend but this was concerning to say the least.

I decide to opt for a couple of motrin, some orange juice, and a secret muscle relaxing ingrediant for breakfast. This proves somewhat effective and by the time doubles 501 starts I am dart mobile again.

In the first round, Brad and I find ourselves battling Jesus to stay in the tournament. As you can imagine the call of "DePriest and Jesus to board 24" caught a couple chuckles. After a tough first couple legs brad and I fire in a nice 12darter to pull through to the second round.