WEEDSPORT - Bowling on the edge seems to fit Derek Magno just fine.

After making the Saturday cut by just three pins in the Pilat Graphic Design Sport Masters, Magno snagged the last spot in the stepladder finals Sunday.

“When you get in situations like this, you just have to take advantage,” the 27-year-old said.

Indeed, he did. Magno darted and dodged his way through four victorious matches at Rainbow Lanes, finishing with a 217-192 win over Tim Burnett to capture the third annual Sport tournament.

Magno received a $700 winner's check and a crystal trophy in memory of Tom Aubin. Dawn Aubin, Tom's wife, donated the trophy while her brother, Don Stoddard, made the presentation.

“This was a mental grind. I'm exhausted,” Magno, of Liverpool, said shortly after throwing his last ball.

Despite several close calls, Magno's performance Sunday was nothing short of remarkable. Bowling on a derivative of the PBA Experience Viper oil pattern, he had just one open frame in his four head-to-head matches. He was rock solid throughout.

“I've been bowling long enough to know that I can pick my spares,” said Magno, who qualified with 756 at Falcon Lanes. “I also have experience bowling on difficult Sport patterns. The lanes opened up to where I like them, so I though I could shoot 200 or 210. I did barely enough to win.”

The stepladder finals did not feature a single Auburn bowler. Burnett, of Rushville, just south of Canandaigua, rolled an impressive 906 for four games to earn the top seed. Baldwinsville's R.J. Blanchard was second (855), Mike Tryninski, of Fulton, was third (828), Bob Callari, of Canandaigua, was fourth (824) and Magno came in fifth (817).

Steve Suslik, a longtime local association bowler, rolled 812 to finish sixth. He left the 6-7 split in the 10th frame of his last game, ending his chances. But he took it in stride and began rooting for Magno. They are friends who bowl on the same team in the national tournament.

“We're all on a neutral condition here. You want to see who the best bowlers are,” he said.

Clearly, Magno jumped to the top of that list. Playing a consistent inside line with a free-flowing delivery, the slender right-hander opened with a 209-188 triumph over Callari. But things got testy after that.

He fired a late double in a nail-biter to eliminate Tryninski, 206-198, then watched Blanchard open his last three frames as both bowlers finished at 202, forcing a ninth and 10th frame roll-off. Magno won, 40-28.

“R.J. gave me a gift,” he said.

Burnett was the final obstacle, and Magno threatened to close the deal early. He struck in four of his first five frames while Burnett left a pocket 7-10 split to start the game.

But Magno left the door slightly ajar, leaving a split of his own in the sixth. It was his only open frame in match play.

Needing to cash in, Burnett immediately followed with another split and his deficit stayed at 18 pins.

“I needed to hit my mark and make a good shot,” the 22-year-old said. “I pulled it a board or two. It's something you can't do at that point of the tournament.”

Magno strung a triple with Burnett sitting on the bench to clinch the championship. For his masterful efforts, Magno received handshakes from the handful of appreciative friends and fans at Rainbow. Then, he let out a big sigh of relief. It was a triumph well earned.

Pilat Graphic Design Sport Masters

Rainbow Lanes

1. Tim Burnett 906

2. R.J. Blanchard 855

3. Mike Tryninski 828

4. Bob Callari 824

5. Derek Magno 817

Did not qualify

6. Steve Suslik ($100) 812

7. Steve Eastman Jr. ($85) 755

8. Joey Petrowski ($75) 752

9. Benny Appleby ($70) 750

10. Jeff Matty ($65) 730

11. Jody VanLiew ($60) 673

12. Chris Gomez ($55) 667

13. Cory Slater ($50) 631

Stepladder finals

Match No. 1

Magno def. Callari ($125), 209-188

Match No. 2

Magno def. Tryninski ($150), 206-198

Match No. 3

Magno tied Blanchard ($200) at 202; Magno won roll-off, 40-28

Championship match

Magno ($700) def. Burnett ($350), 217-192