HAMMOND | The Times Individual Bowling Classic co-sponsored by Pepsi brings out keglars of all kinds -- even injured ones.

Tom Melcarek had his entire left shoulder replaced a few years ago and is forced to wear a sling when he bowls. But that didn't stop him from coming out to the Classic.

"Obviously I can't swing out for balance, but this is the only way I can do it now," Melcarek said. "(The sling) basically keeps me tucked back. But I'm going to do whatever I can to keep bowling."

The Shererville resident said that he was dealing with another disadvantage Sunday at Olympia Lanes after spending a long night at his regular league's bowling banquet at Stardust III in Dyer.

"I came out here Friday and shot some pot games, and it was like I was a different person," Melcarek said. "It's my fault. I should have done better."

Melcarek said he carries a 219 average, but posted a high game of 188.

One participant who was happy with his scores was Calumet College bowler Ryan Alberson, who took the Class A lead with a 769 series.

"That's probably guaranteed to make (the qualifying round), so I 'm pretty happy right now," Alberson said. "My A-game is to play right around 10, and I was able to play there all day. That's why I had success."

After bowling three games in the 240s, Alberson came a single 10-pin in the fourth frame away from a perfect 300 in his final attempt.

He said that after bowling in national collegiate championships with the Crimson Wave, the pressure doesn't get to him easily.

"The more you bowl in competitive situations, the more you speed up your experience," Alberson said.

Alberson's coach at Cal College, Mike Kubacki, has three Times Classic championships under his belt and his teammate Ryan Gleghorn has another.

"It'd be nice to add another to our total for Calumet College," Alberson said.

Last year's champion, Brian Kirk, rolled a 130 in his initial game only to total 733 in his remaining three games.