AUBURN - Maureen Gabak spent Sunday afternoon catching up with her kids, but it wasn't exactly a tough trek. They were confined to the alleys at Falcon Lanes, trying to qualify for the Byrn's Junior Masters.

But Ryan and Amanda Gabak were bowling on different sets, so their mother often dashed along the crowded walkway to manage a bird's eye view of each important shot. Things finally got easier once the third game came around: they were paired on lanes alongside each other.

“Now I can relax a little bit,” Maureen said.

Actually, it was a walk in the park for Ryan Gabak. The 17-year-old Union Springs Central senior fired games of 226, 258 and 202 for a tremendous 686 to lead the boys qualifying.

Corey Dockstader, with 568, locked up the final spot in the field of 16.

“I really didn't expect this,” said Ryan's father, Kevin, who also watched intently. “I know he throws the ball good, but this is fantastic. I've been working with him. I just tell him to calm down, get the ball going right and follow through.”

Amanda Gabak, meanwhile, completed a banner day for the Gabaks. She rolled 540 to secure a spot in the girls field.

Stefanie Spinney also had good family support while rolling 565 to take top honors. Alli Streeter's score of 498 earned the last position among eight girl qualifiers.

Other 600 shooters for the boys were Chris Fleming (668) Kevin Roche (655), Matt Janusz (622), Dan Bibbens (620), Jesse Law (620), Mike Suarez (620), Todd Wilcox Jr. (618), Mike Liccion (614) and Chris Gomez (608).

Also qualifying were Jeff Tonzi (595), Brandon Emperato (589), Anthony Adams (585), Mike Sheets (581) and Brandon Parker (573). Alternates are Jarred Reeves (547) and Kyle Fenton (535).

While the Gabak family, which also included Kevin's father, Bill, had a proud day, Nancy and Steve Spinney were just as ecstatic.

They saw their daughter, Stefanie, fire her high score despite opening with just 166. Steve, the Falcon Lanes manager, said he watched Stefanie “like a hawk” throughout the day, often from behind the control desk.

Stefanie Spinney, a 16-year-old junior at Auburn High, moved left on the approach after the slow start and turned in games of 200 and 199, propelling her into match play.

“I work with her and she's like a machine, a lot of fun to watch,” her father said. “But I was careful not to bother her too much because I didn't want her to get mad at me.”

Now Stefanie has a chance to join her mother as a champion. Nancy Spinney captured the inaugural Girls Byrn's Junior Masters tournament 28 years ago.

Other qualifiers for the girls were Brittany McIntyre (558), Briana Gomez (555), Meghan Short (534), Julie Janusz (520) and Meghan Feocco (513). Alternates are Kristina Porter (492) and Chelsea Paquette (468).

The double-elimination scratch event continues at 1 p.m. Saturday at Cedar House Lanes when the 16 boys compete. The eight girls will join the boys at 1 p.m. Sunday at Starlite Lanes.

Two champions will be crowned Feb. 24 at King Ferry Lanes.

Here are the boys match-ups: Ryan Gabak vs. Liccion; Fleming vs. Chris Gomez; Roche vs. Tonzi; Matt Janusz vs. Emperato; Bibbens vs. Adams; Law vs. Sheets; Suarez vs. Parker; and, Wilcox Jr. vs. Dockstader.

For the girls, it will be: Spinney vs. Short; McIntyre vs. Julie Janusz; Briana Gomez vs. Feocco; and, Amanda Gabak vs. Streeter.