Mike Aguilar (pictured left) from Guatemala and Mexico's Elsa Gonzalez claimed the gold medal in the men's and women's Singles competition in the 2008 Pan American Bowling Confederation (PABCON) Senior Championships on Tuesday at Cibao Bowling Center in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic.

Aguilar had a high game of 267 and a low game of 193 to win the men's division with 1345 six-game total and an average of 224.17. Aguilar and second-placed Alfonso Rodriguez Saavedra, Mexico, were deadlocked after five games at 1132. Aguilar beat out his opponent for the gold medal, 213-203. Rodriguez took silver with 1335 (222.50)

L-R Rodriguez, Aguilar and Ritter.

Leopoldo Ritter, Venezuela, finished with a 226 game to overtake Phil Prieto (213) and secure the bronze medal with 1283. Prieto had to settle for fourth place with 1276. Alvaro Galindo, Venezuela, started with the high game of the day, 288, but landed in 7th place with 1258 behind three sub-200 games.

Gonzalez (pictured left) had a slow start into the championships with back-to-back 170s but rebounded with 231 and 250 (women's high game) to take the lead. She closed out the series with 200 and 201 to easily win the gold medal in the women's division with 1227 and an average of 204.50.

Trailing Gonzalez by 110 pins to finish in second place was her fellow country woman Fransuesa Sacre, who totaled 1117 (186.17). The bronze medal went to Ivette Gonzalez, Venezuela, who used games between 159 and 194 for 1093 (182.17).

L-R Sacre, E. Gonzalez, Mexican Bowling Federation President Jose Aguilar and I. Gonzalez.

The 31 men and 20 women will return to the 24-laner on Wednesday for the doubles competition and the award ceremonies for the Singles.

10 countries - Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panamá, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, United States, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic - with maximum four men and four women will compete in Singles, Doubles, Trios and four-player Team event (six games each) from Sep. 9-12.

The 2008 PABCON Senior Championships will conclude on Saturday, Sep. 13, with the men's and women's Masters finals.