Illinois team takes top spot at USBC Open Championships
06/26/08
With help from the tournament's lifetime average leader, Fox Bowl 2 of Wheaton, Ill., moved into the top spot in Team All-Events at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships on Wednesday.
Fox Bowl 2 (L-R Anthony Jordan, Pete Spreadbury, Walter Schaub, Gregg Zicha, Mike Nape)
The group combined for a 10,025 total to become the 15th team in tournament history to eclipse the 10,000 mark and moved past Team Tilt of Lawrence, Kan., which previously held the lead with 9,986. Team All-Events, which was awarded for the first time in 1947, combines the individual all-events scores of all five team members.
In recent years, the Fox Bowl teams have become regular threats on the championship lanes, and despite being close on more than one occasion, USBC Open Championships lifetime average leader, Mike Nape, has been unable to secure his first tournament title.
"If we hold on to win, I'll probably cry when I get the call," said Nape, who made his 21st consecutive Open Championships appearance and entered the year with a 216.59 average for 180 games. "I started bowling here with guys from Chicago who took me under their wings and taught me how to respect this tournament. They helped me understand just how special and prestigious it is, and after all this time, it would be amazing to win one."
This week, Fox Bowl 2 was led by 2001 Regular Doubles champion Gregg Zicha, who moved into ninth place in Regular All-Events with a 2,124 total. Zicha was followed by Pete Spreadbury, who finished 16th at the 2007 USBC Masters (2,101), Anthony Jordan (2,010), Walter Schaub (1,901) and Nape (1,889).
"It's so hard for five guys to come together like this, and that's why Team All-Events is so hard to win," Zicha said. "Winning doubles was amazing, but to have five guys who are as close of friends as we are do something together like this is phenomenal. There's nothing better in bowling than this."
Wednesday's success came after some disappointment Tuesday that saw the group fall just shy of the top spot in Regular Team. Despite games of 1,032, 1,178 and 1,093, their 3,303 total only landed them in third place. They came in looking to improve on last year's 16th place finish at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev. In 2004, also in Reno, three members of the team joined forces to finish second in the team event. This year, Team Tilt leads with 3,374.
"We knew if we had a good team to cross with and a solid game plan on how we were going to break the shot down, we'd have a good chance to bowl well," Nape said. "We really felt confident coming in and thought we had a chance at it, and we did. It just didn't work out."
Jordon led the way for Fox Bowl 2 on Tuesday with a 753 series and was followed by Spreadbury, a first-time team member (713), Zicha (684), Schaub (599) and Nape (554).
"It's very important that we all believe in each other, and we're not afraid to ask about ball changes, or if we're even throwing the ball well, and we just gel really well as a team," said Jordan, a stay-at-home father who made his 16th trip to the Open Championships. "We're definitely happy about how we bowled (in team), but you can't help but be disappointed about getting so close to an eagle, but not being able to reach it."
But after shifting their focus from team to Team All-Events, Open Championships glory again is within reach.
For Nape, regular success on the tournament lanes and his spot atop the average list are both accomplishments he is extremely proud of, but there's still a void that could only be filled by that elusive eagle.
"I am very proud of my accomplishments here because they are proof of years of hard work and focus on this event, which I hold in the highest regard," said Nape, the manager at Fox Bowl. "This is the national championship and a very prestigious event, and it means a lot to see that my hard work over the last 20 years has paid off. Because of my experience here, I know the guys look to me for leadership, but they were also there to support me this year when I struggled. Right now I'm happy to be the low guy if it means winning an eagle. I will take it with open arms."
With his mentor and coach sidelined with a knee injury, Michael King of Garfield Heights, Ohio, did enough striking for both of them at the USBC Championships on Tuesday night.
After starting his team event with two open frames, King struck 27 times on the way to games of 217, 238 and 300 for a 755 series at the Albuquerque Convention Center. The 29-year-old right-hander's perfect game was the 28th of this year's Open Championships and helped Play 2 Win of Lakewood, Ohio, into eighth place in Regular Team with a 3,254 total.
"I had some jitters heading into the 10th frame because this is such a big stage and everyone else seemed to stop bowling," said King, whose coach Tony Brooks rolled a 300 when the tournament made its first trip to Albuquerque in 2000. "To shoot 300 here is a big accomplishment. I really couldn't have done this without my team, though, so for us to end up in the top 10 makes it even better. That's what you want when you come here."
Presenting sponsors for the 2008 USBC Open Championships are Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus Reno in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; Brunswick, capital equipment supplier; Storm Products, Inc.; Roto Grip, official sponsor of the Roto Grip Sport Bowling Challenge; Isleta Casino & Resort; Santa Ana Star Casino, the official brackets sponsor; Rainbow Ryders, the exclusive hot air balloon company of the 2008 Open Championships; and Sandia Resort & Casino.
Albuquerque Convention Center, Albuquerque, N.M.
Top 10 division leaders with hometown and pinfalls
Team
1, Team Tilt (Thomas Ault Jr., Russ Wilson, Chris Greene, Joe Keltner, Jay Futrell), Lawrence, Kan., 3,374. 2, Turbo Grips 1, Chesterfield, Mich., 3,308. 3, Fox Bowl 2, Wheaton, Ill., 3,303. 4, Rhino for President, Pleasant View, Utah, 3,298. 5, Bowlingfordumdums.com, Pritchett, Colo., 3,284. 6, Bluemound Bowl, Milwaukee, Wis., 3,268. 7, Ballard's Bowling Solution 1, North Richland Hills, Texas, 3,258. 8, Play 2 Win, Lakewood, Ohio, 3,254. 9, Bowlers Universe 1, Rockford, Ill., 3,249. 10, Bluegrass Bowling & Golf, Lexington, Ky., 3,244.
Doubles
1, John Socha, Oak Creek, Wis./Dennis Rakauskas, Apopka, Fla., 1,467. 2, Skip Wolfe, Dixon, Ill./Tom Carter, Rockford, Ill., 1,462. 3, Robert Slayton, Apple Valley, Minn./Jason Lutgen, Brooklyn Park, Minn., 1,445. 4, Todd Koehler, Appleton, Minn./Doug Blood, Montevideo, Minn., 1,444. 5, Erik Mattingly, Puyallup, Wash./Robert Hanson, Tacoma, Wash., 1,441. 6, Ted Baer/Josh Edenburn, Omaha, Neb., 1,439. 7, Steven Levering, Landisville, Pa./Jim Rutherford, Coatesville, Pa., 1,428. 8, Ron Case, Oakley, Calif./Sam Carter, Ben Lomond, Calif., 1,422. 9, Mike Granberg, Batavia, Ill./Dave Rodak, Naperville, Ill., 1,419. 10, Ward Mocaby/Steve Elson, Wichita, Kan., 1,416.
Singles
1, Bryan Young, Everett, Wash., 832. 2, Jason Price, Grand Island, Neb., 817. 3, Wilbert Moorer, Dover, Del., 784. 4, Warren Crawford, McKinleyville, Calif., 779. 5, William Uthoff, O'Fallon, Mo., 775. 6 (tie), Larry Aldridge, Aurora, Colo., and Alexander Shand, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 774. 8, Alan Pecora, Drums, Pa., 773. 9, Ryan Shepherd, Collinsville, Va., 769. 10, Don Pyle, Wilmington, Del., 768.
All-Events
1, Jay Futrell, Derby, Kan., 2,183. 2, Bryan Young, Everett, Wash., 2,165. 3, Mike Rose Jr., Rochester, N.Y., 2,161. 4, Randy Weiss, Columbia, S.C., 2,160. 5, Warren Crawford, McKinleyville, Calif., 2,159. 6, Brian Kjergaard, Fulton, Ill., 2,147. 7, Edward Gallagher, Clarksville, Tenn., 2,141. 8, Todd Fenske, Weston, Wis., 2,132. 9, Gregg Zicha, Schaumburg, Ill., 2,124. 10, Chris Gibbons, Madison, Wis., 2,122.
Team All-Events
1, Fox Bowl 2 (Anthony Jordan, Pete Spreadbury, Walter Schaub, Gregg Zicha, Mike Nape), Wheaton, Ill., 10,025. 2, Team Tilt, Lawrence, Kan., 9,986. 3, Team Pabst, Madison, Wis., 9,977. 4, MoRich Enterprises, West Bend, Wis., 9,901. 5, Rhino for President, Pleasant View, Utah, 9,801. 6, Bowlingfordumdums.com, Pritchett, Colo., 9,794. 7 (tie), S & B Pro Shop 2, Sterling Heights, Mich., and Pam's Boys 1, Salem, Ore., 9,736. 9, Sack Toe, Sacramento, Calif., 9,717. 10, Pollard's Bowl, Versailles, Ind., 9,708.
Top 10 division leaders with hometown and pinfalls
Team
1, Cardinal Lanes (Edward Hitschmann, Mike Steinert, Reuben Flagor, Tim Higgins, Gary Boxberger), 2,804. 2, Lake Country Rollers 1, Clarissa, Minn., 2,799. 3, T-Rays, Jamestown, N.D., 2,795. 4, Garden Center Lanes 2, Alexandria, Minn., 2,789. 5, D&H Glass, Harrison, Ark., 2,787. 6, Plattsburgh Bowl, Plattsburgh, Mo., 2,773. 7, Sego Electric, Clarion, Iowa, 2,759. 8, Pla-Mor Lanes 5, New Weston, Ohio, 2,750. 9, Lady Pros, Albuquerque, N.M., 2,748. 10, Firenab 2, Lincoln, Neb., 2,745.
Doubles
1, Jacqueline Snyder/Bill Calhoon, Cooksville, Ill., 1,282. 2, Janet Vaccari/Joe Vaccari, Gillette, Wyo., 1,255. 3, Frank Smyle Jr., Reeder, N.D./Jesse Smyle, Bowman, N.D., 1,240. 4, James Whisenhant, Robertsdale, Ala./Dean Swindle, Foley, Ala., 1,237. 5, William Palmer, Sussex, Wis./Henry Dotson, McCool, Miss., 1,220. 6, Daryl Peake, Mount Holly, N.C./Bob Butts, Charlotte, N.C., 1,207. 7, Ron Schara, Big Timber, Mont./Tom Schara, Rio Rancho, N.M., 1,205. 8, Arthur King, Grass Valley, Calif./Sandy Wagner, Loomis, Calif., 1,203. 9, Jim Kohlman, St. Paul, Minn./Michael Roscoe, White Bear Lake, Minn., 1,196. 10, Judy Waliczek, Pflugerville, Texas/Christopher Brown, Jonesboro, Ark, 1,192.
Singles
1, Jeremy Noland, Chelsea, Okla., 696. 2, Daniel Dabkowski, Columbia, S.C., 688. 3 (tie), Brian Washington, Hopewell, Va., and Tim Hoffpauir, New Iberia, La., 676. 5, Tim Wagner, Hardin, Mont., 669. 6, Jeffrey Kistler, Marion, Ind., 668. 7, John Zapalac, Bishop, Texas, 662. 8, Randy Gaines, Austin, Minn., 658. 9, Ed Wethington, Poplar Grove, Ill., 657. 10 (tie), Dale Fuller, Otter Lake, Mich., and Bill Ingram, Aloha, Ore., 648.
All-Events
1, Daniel Dabkowski, Columbia, S.C., 1,857. 2, Bill Calhoon, Cooksville, Ill., 1,852. 3, Daryl Peake, Mount Holly, N.C., 1,849. 4, John Millet Jr., Greenland, N.H., 1,821. 5, Troy Schultz, Clarion, Iowa, 1,820. 6, Dave Lisson, Browerville, Minn., 1,815. 7, Kenny DeYoung, Valley Springs, Ark., 1,805. 8, Kenny Halsted, Harrison, Ark., 1,805. 9, John Victor, Rockford, Ill., 1,794. 10, Glenn Shields, Bowling Green, Ohio, 1,791.
United States
Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, NM, United States (Feb. 16 - July 7, 2008)
With help from the tournament's lifetime average leader, Fox Bowl 2 of Wheaton, Ill., moved into the top spot in Team All-Events at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships on Wednesday.Fox Bowl 2 (L-R Anthony Jordan, Pete Spreadbury, Walter Schaub, Gregg Zicha, Mike Nape)
The group combined for a 10,025 total to become the 15th team in tournament history to eclipse the 10,000 mark and moved past Team Tilt of Lawrence, Kan., which previously held the lead with 9,986. Team All-Events, which was awarded for the first time in 1947, combines the individual all-events scores of all five team members.
In recent years, the Fox Bowl teams have become regular threats on the championship lanes, and despite being close on more than one occasion, USBC Open Championships lifetime average leader, Mike Nape, has been unable to secure his first tournament title.
"If we hold on to win, I'll probably cry when I get the call," said Nape, who made his 21st consecutive Open Championships appearance and entered the year with a 216.59 average for 180 games. "I started bowling here with guys from Chicago who took me under their wings and taught me how to respect this tournament. They helped me understand just how special and prestigious it is, and after all this time, it would be amazing to win one."
This week, Fox Bowl 2 was led by 2001 Regular Doubles champion Gregg Zicha, who moved into ninth place in Regular All-Events with a 2,124 total. Zicha was followed by Pete Spreadbury, who finished 16th at the 2007 USBC Masters (2,101), Anthony Jordan (2,010), Walter Schaub (1,901) and Nape (1,889).
"It's so hard for five guys to come together like this, and that's why Team All-Events is so hard to win," Zicha said. "Winning doubles was amazing, but to have five guys who are as close of friends as we are do something together like this is phenomenal. There's nothing better in bowling than this."
Wednesday's success came after some disappointment Tuesday that saw the group fall just shy of the top spot in Regular Team. Despite games of 1,032, 1,178 and 1,093, their 3,303 total only landed them in third place. They came in looking to improve on last year's 16th place finish at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev. In 2004, also in Reno, three members of the team joined forces to finish second in the team event. This year, Team Tilt leads with 3,374.
"We knew if we had a good team to cross with and a solid game plan on how we were going to break the shot down, we'd have a good chance to bowl well," Nape said. "We really felt confident coming in and thought we had a chance at it, and we did. It just didn't work out."
Jordon led the way for Fox Bowl 2 on Tuesday with a 753 series and was followed by Spreadbury, a first-time team member (713), Zicha (684), Schaub (599) and Nape (554).
"It's very important that we all believe in each other, and we're not afraid to ask about ball changes, or if we're even throwing the ball well, and we just gel really well as a team," said Jordan, a stay-at-home father who made his 16th trip to the Open Championships. "We're definitely happy about how we bowled (in team), but you can't help but be disappointed about getting so close to an eagle, but not being able to reach it."
But after shifting their focus from team to Team All-Events, Open Championships glory again is within reach.
For Nape, regular success on the tournament lanes and his spot atop the average list are both accomplishments he is extremely proud of, but there's still a void that could only be filled by that elusive eagle.
"I am very proud of my accomplishments here because they are proof of years of hard work and focus on this event, which I hold in the highest regard," said Nape, the manager at Fox Bowl. "This is the national championship and a very prestigious event, and it means a lot to see that my hard work over the last 20 years has paid off. Because of my experience here, I know the guys look to me for leadership, but they were also there to support me this year when I struggled. Right now I'm happy to be the low guy if it means winning an eagle. I will take it with open arms."
Ohio bowler shoots 300, helps team into top 10
With his mentor and coach sidelined with a knee injury, Michael King of Garfield Heights, Ohio, did enough striking for both of them at the USBC Championships on Tuesday night.After starting his team event with two open frames, King struck 27 times on the way to games of 217, 238 and 300 for a 755 series at the Albuquerque Convention Center. The 29-year-old right-hander's perfect game was the 28th of this year's Open Championships and helped Play 2 Win of Lakewood, Ohio, into eighth place in Regular Team with a 3,254 total.
"I had some jitters heading into the 10th frame because this is such a big stage and everyone else seemed to stop bowling," said King, whose coach Tony Brooks rolled a 300 when the tournament made its first trip to Albuquerque in 2000. "To shoot 300 here is a big accomplishment. I really couldn't have done this without my team, though, so for us to end up in the top 10 makes it even better. That's what you want when you come here."
Presenting sponsors for the 2008 USBC Open Championships are Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus Reno in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; Brunswick, capital equipment supplier; Storm Products, Inc.; Roto Grip, official sponsor of the Roto Grip Sport Bowling Challenge; Isleta Casino & Resort; Santa Ana Star Casino, the official brackets sponsor; Rainbow Ryders, the exclusive hot air balloon company of the 2008 Open Championships; and Sandia Resort & Casino. 2008 USBC Open Championships
Albuquerque Convention Center, Albuquerque, N.M.
REGULAR DIVISION
Top 10 division leaders with hometown and pinfalls
Team
1, Team Tilt (Thomas Ault Jr., Russ Wilson, Chris Greene, Joe Keltner, Jay Futrell), Lawrence, Kan., 3,374. 2, Turbo Grips 1, Chesterfield, Mich., 3,308. 3, Fox Bowl 2, Wheaton, Ill., 3,303. 4, Rhino for President, Pleasant View, Utah, 3,298. 5, Bowlingfordumdums.com, Pritchett, Colo., 3,284. 6, Bluemound Bowl, Milwaukee, Wis., 3,268. 7, Ballard's Bowling Solution 1, North Richland Hills, Texas, 3,258. 8, Play 2 Win, Lakewood, Ohio, 3,254. 9, Bowlers Universe 1, Rockford, Ill., 3,249. 10, Bluegrass Bowling & Golf, Lexington, Ky., 3,244.
Doubles
1, John Socha, Oak Creek, Wis./Dennis Rakauskas, Apopka, Fla., 1,467. 2, Skip Wolfe, Dixon, Ill./Tom Carter, Rockford, Ill., 1,462. 3, Robert Slayton, Apple Valley, Minn./Jason Lutgen, Brooklyn Park, Minn., 1,445. 4, Todd Koehler, Appleton, Minn./Doug Blood, Montevideo, Minn., 1,444. 5, Erik Mattingly, Puyallup, Wash./Robert Hanson, Tacoma, Wash., 1,441. 6, Ted Baer/Josh Edenburn, Omaha, Neb., 1,439. 7, Steven Levering, Landisville, Pa./Jim Rutherford, Coatesville, Pa., 1,428. 8, Ron Case, Oakley, Calif./Sam Carter, Ben Lomond, Calif., 1,422. 9, Mike Granberg, Batavia, Ill./Dave Rodak, Naperville, Ill., 1,419. 10, Ward Mocaby/Steve Elson, Wichita, Kan., 1,416.
Singles
1, Bryan Young, Everett, Wash., 832. 2, Jason Price, Grand Island, Neb., 817. 3, Wilbert Moorer, Dover, Del., 784. 4, Warren Crawford, McKinleyville, Calif., 779. 5, William Uthoff, O'Fallon, Mo., 775. 6 (tie), Larry Aldridge, Aurora, Colo., and Alexander Shand, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 774. 8, Alan Pecora, Drums, Pa., 773. 9, Ryan Shepherd, Collinsville, Va., 769. 10, Don Pyle, Wilmington, Del., 768.
All-Events
1, Jay Futrell, Derby, Kan., 2,183. 2, Bryan Young, Everett, Wash., 2,165. 3, Mike Rose Jr., Rochester, N.Y., 2,161. 4, Randy Weiss, Columbia, S.C., 2,160. 5, Warren Crawford, McKinleyville, Calif., 2,159. 6, Brian Kjergaard, Fulton, Ill., 2,147. 7, Edward Gallagher, Clarksville, Tenn., 2,141. 8, Todd Fenske, Weston, Wis., 2,132. 9, Gregg Zicha, Schaumburg, Ill., 2,124. 10, Chris Gibbons, Madison, Wis., 2,122.
Team All-Events
1, Fox Bowl 2 (Anthony Jordan, Pete Spreadbury, Walter Schaub, Gregg Zicha, Mike Nape), Wheaton, Ill., 10,025. 2, Team Tilt, Lawrence, Kan., 9,986. 3, Team Pabst, Madison, Wis., 9,977. 4, MoRich Enterprises, West Bend, Wis., 9,901. 5, Rhino for President, Pleasant View, Utah, 9,801. 6, Bowlingfordumdums.com, Pritchett, Colo., 9,794. 7 (tie), S & B Pro Shop 2, Sterling Heights, Mich., and Pam's Boys 1, Salem, Ore., 9,736. 9, Sack Toe, Sacramento, Calif., 9,717. 10, Pollard's Bowl, Versailles, Ind., 9,708.
CLASSIFIED DIVISION
Top 10 division leaders with hometown and pinfalls
Team
1, Cardinal Lanes (Edward Hitschmann, Mike Steinert, Reuben Flagor, Tim Higgins, Gary Boxberger), 2,804. 2, Lake Country Rollers 1, Clarissa, Minn., 2,799. 3, T-Rays, Jamestown, N.D., 2,795. 4, Garden Center Lanes 2, Alexandria, Minn., 2,789. 5, D&H Glass, Harrison, Ark., 2,787. 6, Plattsburgh Bowl, Plattsburgh, Mo., 2,773. 7, Sego Electric, Clarion, Iowa, 2,759. 8, Pla-Mor Lanes 5, New Weston, Ohio, 2,750. 9, Lady Pros, Albuquerque, N.M., 2,748. 10, Firenab 2, Lincoln, Neb., 2,745.
Doubles
1, Jacqueline Snyder/Bill Calhoon, Cooksville, Ill., 1,282. 2, Janet Vaccari/Joe Vaccari, Gillette, Wyo., 1,255. 3, Frank Smyle Jr., Reeder, N.D./Jesse Smyle, Bowman, N.D., 1,240. 4, James Whisenhant, Robertsdale, Ala./Dean Swindle, Foley, Ala., 1,237. 5, William Palmer, Sussex, Wis./Henry Dotson, McCool, Miss., 1,220. 6, Daryl Peake, Mount Holly, N.C./Bob Butts, Charlotte, N.C., 1,207. 7, Ron Schara, Big Timber, Mont./Tom Schara, Rio Rancho, N.M., 1,205. 8, Arthur King, Grass Valley, Calif./Sandy Wagner, Loomis, Calif., 1,203. 9, Jim Kohlman, St. Paul, Minn./Michael Roscoe, White Bear Lake, Minn., 1,196. 10, Judy Waliczek, Pflugerville, Texas/Christopher Brown, Jonesboro, Ark, 1,192.
Singles
1, Jeremy Noland, Chelsea, Okla., 696. 2, Daniel Dabkowski, Columbia, S.C., 688. 3 (tie), Brian Washington, Hopewell, Va., and Tim Hoffpauir, New Iberia, La., 676. 5, Tim Wagner, Hardin, Mont., 669. 6, Jeffrey Kistler, Marion, Ind., 668. 7, John Zapalac, Bishop, Texas, 662. 8, Randy Gaines, Austin, Minn., 658. 9, Ed Wethington, Poplar Grove, Ill., 657. 10 (tie), Dale Fuller, Otter Lake, Mich., and Bill Ingram, Aloha, Ore., 648.
All-Events
1, Daniel Dabkowski, Columbia, S.C., 1,857. 2, Bill Calhoon, Cooksville, Ill., 1,852. 3, Daryl Peake, Mount Holly, N.C., 1,849. 4, John Millet Jr., Greenland, N.H., 1,821. 5, Troy Schultz, Clarion, Iowa, 1,820. 6, Dave Lisson, Browerville, Minn., 1,815. 7, Kenny DeYoung, Valley Springs, Ark., 1,805. 8, Kenny Halsted, Harrison, Ark., 1,805. 9, John Victor, Rockford, Ill., 1,794. 10, Glenn Shields, Bowling Green, Ohio, 1,791.