Illinois team soars into lead at USBC Open Championships
03/13/10
Ray Struck of Orland Park, Ill., and his teammates spend months each year preparing for the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, and neither illness nor injury could keep them from finding success on the tournament lanes this week.
Despite a stomach virus that kept him in bed since arriving in Reno, Struck turned in the second-best performance of his 16-year USBC Open Championships career and helped Bluebird Lanes (pictured) of Orland Park into the top spot in Regular Team and Team All-Events at the National Bowling Stadium.
Bluebird Lanes started slowly with a split-filled 903 opening game, but recovered with games of 1,123 and 1,096 and moved into the team lead with a 3,122 total. Central Saw & Mower previously held the lead with 3,081.
The Bluebird Lanes bowlers continued striking during doubles and singles and raised the bar in Team All-Events with a 9,602 effort. Bowlers Junction of Hemet, Calif., previously held the lead with 9,214. Team All-Events includes the all-events totals of all five team members.
"We came in with a plan and knew what we wanted to do from the start," said Struck, a 41-year-old right-hander who is one of just 19 bowlers to record two perfect games in Open Championships competition. "We try to get guys together who have similar games and can do similar things. We started around boards six, seven and eight and gradually moved left to about boards 15 and 16. Our communication was very good."
The team's successful communication can be attributed to a dozen years together at the Open Championships and more than 25 years in events across the Chicago area. They also had the opportunity to practice together on the tournament pattern twice a week at Bluebird Lanes and nearby Town and Country Lanes.
"The owners at both centers were gracious enough to put out the pattern, and we practiced on it about twice a week since it became available," Struck said. "From there, we discussed bowling balls and ball reaction and where we wanted to play as a group. George (Kontos, 2001 Regular Team co-champion) understands what it takes to win an eagle and become a team champion, so without the owners encouraging success, it would be very hard to do what we did."
Struck led the group's Team All-Events surge with a 2,023 all-events total and was followed by Ron Davis (1,941), Robert Flaws (1,940), Michael Dugan (1,869) and Dennis Campbell (1,829). Flaws also competed at less than 100 percent because of an injured knee that required a cortisone shot before traveling to Reno, while Dugan stepped in at the last minute for a regular team member who couldn't make the trip.
"Right now, this is awesome," said Struck, whose best all-events total is 2,118, which he rolled at the 2002 event in Billings, Mont. "This is the biggest tournament of the year. This is what you bowl for. We spent months preparing and discussing what we wanted to do, and to come out and do it is awesome."
Scott Wilcox (r.) of Georgetown, Idaho, and his nephew Tyson Sims (l.) spend a lot of time together enjoying various activities, and that now includes competing at the USBC Open Championships.
The two bowled together on the tournament lanes for the second consecutive year and found their way into the Classified Doubles lead with a 1,182 total at the National Bowling Stadium on Friday.
Sims led the way with games of 199, 204 and 190 for a 593 series, while Wilcox contributed 205, 197 and 187 for 589. Holly Ventura of Harwood, Ill., and Bob Zurek of River Grove, Ill., previously held the lead with 1,149.
"This feels pretty awesome," said Wilcox, who bowls regularly at their family-owned Jolara Lanes in Montpelier, Idaho, and made his seventh Open Championships appearance. "We've talked about doing this for quite a while. I told him coming in we were capable, and we were able to do it."
Sims made his second trip to the Open Championships and was a lot more relaxed and confident than he was in his debut last year in Las Vegas.
"I really didn't know what I was getting into last year," Sims said. "But this year, I was a lot more laid back and there wasn't as much pressure on me. I was able to relax and adjust to the shot a little bit, and I'm really happy with how we bowled."
The 24-year-old right-hander finished his sophomore campaign with 538 in singles and 493 in team for a 1,624 all-events total. Wilcox added 472 in singles and 431 in team for 1,492.
To be eligible for the Classified Division, a team must have a combined average of 900 or less and 360 or less for doubles. Individuals must have an average of 180 or less for singles and all-events.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.
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National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., United States (Feb. 20 - July 5, 2010)
Top 10 division leaders with hometown and pinfalls
1, Bluebird Lanes (Dennis Campbell, Ron Davis, Michael Dugan, Robert Flaws, Ray Struck), Orland Park, Ill., 3,122. 2, Central Saw and Mower, Racine, Wis., 3,081. 3, Bowlers Junction, Hemet, Calif., 3,080. 4, J&J Pro Shop, Mount Crawford, Va., 3,066. 5, Pandorum, Buford, Ga., 3,063. 6, CMS Concrete 2, Nashua, N.H., 3,049. 7, Pita Uno, Shakopee, Minn., 3,023. 8, Hot Printing 1, Holland, Ohio, 3,021. 9, Super Bowl-Appleton, Kaukauna, Wis., 3,016. 10, On Track Pro Shop 1, Lockport, Ill., 3,008.
Doubles
1, Jason Hale, Des Moines, Iowa/Matt Smith, Altoona, Iowa, 1,411. 2, Mark Henrichs, Edgar, Wis./Jim Moore, Mosinee, Wis., 1,362. 3, Richard Voakes Jr., Oshkosh, Wis./Troy Schaefer, Neenah, Wis., 1,326. 4, Mitch Bakies, Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Mark Wolford, West Liberty, Ohio, 1,323. 5, David Meyer, Staatsburg, N.Y./Steve Ferraro, Kingston, N.Y., 1,313. 6, John Bossone, Carroll, Ohio/Carl Cramer Jr., Austintown, Ohio, 1,307. 7, Shawn Mariani/Ryan Mapes, Havre, Mont., 1,301. 8, Shaun Scott, Lakewood, Wash./Terry Rude Jr., Federal Way, Wash., 1,298. 9, Mike Taylor, Emmett, Idaho/Robert Shafer, Boise, Idaho, 1,295. 10, Jim Larsen, Racine, Wis./Butch Luther, Franksville, Wis., 1,294.
Singles
1, Barry Zimmerman, Grand Forks, N.D., 766. 2, Larry Thompson Jr., Spring, Texas, 742. 3, Steven Vance, Stone Mountain, Ga., 729. 4, Ron Davis, Orland Park, Ill., 727. 5, Matt Smith, Altoona, Iowa, 722. 6 (tie), Steve Blanchet, Lawrence, Mass., and Chris Kirschner, Seattle, 715. 8, Jim Moore, Mosinee, Wis., 713. 9, David Zaback, Hightstown, N.J., 711. 10, John Pickard, Clio, Mich., 709.
All-Events
1, Matt Smith, Altoona, Iowa, 2,073. 2, Barry Zimmerman, Grand Forks, N.D., 2,044. 3, Ray Struck, Orland Park, Ill., 2,023. 4, Jim Moore, Mosinee, Wis., 2,016. 5, William Banks, Laurel Hill, N.C., 1,986. 6, Patrick Foley Jr., Sparks, Nev., 1,975. 7, Jay Heinzelman, Evansville, Wis., 1,963. 8, Nick Heilman, La Crosse, Wis., 1,957. 9 (tie), Chris Kirschner, Seattle, Edward Pawlowski, Toledo, Ohio, and Larry Thompson Jr., Spring, Texas, 1,955.
Team All-Events
1, Bluebird Lanes (Dennis Campbell, Ron Davis, Michael Dugan, Robert Flaws, Ray Struck), Orland Park, Ill., 9,602. 2, Bowlers Junction, Hemet, Calif., 9,214. 3, Super Bowl-Appleton, Kaukauna, Wis., 9,165. 4, Hot Printing 1, Holland, Ohio, 9,135. 5, Breakpoint Pro Shop 1, Sartell, Minn., 9,096. 6, Breakpoint Pro Shop 2, Sartell, Minn., 9,075. 7, Team Dirty, Madison, Wis., 9,060. 8, Bowldocs Pro Shop 1, University Place, Wash., 9,031. 9, Central Saw and Mower, Racine, Wis., 9,017. 10, Tom's Rhinoplasty, Newton, Iowa, 8,989.
Team
1, EWI/NPS/Denny's (Lawanda Scott, Lynette Crowther, Derek Arnold, Kelliann Frank, Phillip Savelli), Mentor, Ohio, 2,699. 2, Whitlow Furnace, Scobey, Mont., 2,602. 3, Stevens Seed, Clarion, Iowa, 2,594. 4, Who U Wit, Hayward, Calif., 2,578. 5, Stuart Bowl 3, Stuart, Iowa, 2,573. 6, Minnow's Marine, Havre, Mont., 2,558. 7, Lake Country Rollers 1, Clarissa, Minn., 2,547. 8, Parnell Gang 2, Belding, Mich., 2,539. 9 (tie), Toby's Lounge, Vermillion, S.D., and 3 Jokers & 2 Queens, Buford, Ga., 2,536.
Doubles
1, Tyson Sims/Scott Wilcox, Georgetown, Idaho, 1,182. 2, Holly Ventura, Harwood Heights, Ill./Bob Zurek, River Grove, Ill., 1,149. 3, Scott Werner, Overland Park, Kan./Mark Klyn, Pella, Iowa, 1,145. 4, Terry Crowther/Monte Gebhardt, Roundup, Mont., 1,141. 5, Terry Henkle, Garrison, Iowa/Larry Albers, Van Horne, Iowa, 1,139. 6, Kevin Jenkins/George Haney, Incline Village, Nev., 1,138. 7 (tie), Delbert Peterson, Glendale, Ariz./Kyle Wagner, Canton, Ill., and Jerry Bormann, Moorhead, Minn./Linda Hirchert, West Fargo, N.D., 1,131. 9, Steven Schmid/Wendy Oswald, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 1,129. 10, Art Harding, Driggs, Idaho/Dan Weaver, Saint Anthony, Idaho, 1,126.
Singles
1, Mark Plute, Montrose, Colo., 644. 2, Ryan Goettsch, Galva, Iowa, 618. 3, Robb Waynick, Dunbridge, Ohio, 605. 4, Ryan Fritchen, Dakota Dunes, S.D., 604. 5 (tie), Patrick Mcdermand, Villa Park, Ill., and Roger Southland, Lowell, Mich., 595. 7 (tie), Alexander Gum, Redwood City, Calif., and Julie Wahman, Dexter, Iowa, 591. 9, Jeff Lakey, West Richland, Wash., 589. 10, Richard Eisenhut, Downers Grove, Ill., 587.
All-Events
1, Richard Eisenhut, Downers Grove, Ill., 1,766. 2, Doug Boleyn, Waterloo, Iowa, 1,719. 3, Ryan Goettsch, Galva, Iowa, 1,702. 4, Mark Plute, Montrose, Colo., 1,701. 5, Robb Waynick, Dunbridge, Ohio, 1,690. 6, Gena Harvey, Boise, Idaho, 1,689. 7, Jay Lere, Moorhead, Minn., 1,687. 8, Nick Petri Jr., Bolivar, Mo., 1,679. 9, Chris Shiroma, Mission Viejo, Calif., 1,673. 10, Don Scott, Sioux City, Iowa, 1,672.
United States
Idaho duo takes Classified Doubles lead
Ray Struck of Orland Park, Ill., and his teammates spend months each year preparing for the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, and neither illness nor injury could keep them from finding success on the tournament lanes this week.Despite a stomach virus that kept him in bed since arriving in Reno, Struck turned in the second-best performance of his 16-year USBC Open Championships career and helped Bluebird Lanes (pictured) of Orland Park into the top spot in Regular Team and Team All-Events at the National Bowling Stadium.
Bluebird Lanes started slowly with a split-filled 903 opening game, but recovered with games of 1,123 and 1,096 and moved into the team lead with a 3,122 total. Central Saw & Mower previously held the lead with 3,081.
The Bluebird Lanes bowlers continued striking during doubles and singles and raised the bar in Team All-Events with a 9,602 effort. Bowlers Junction of Hemet, Calif., previously held the lead with 9,214. Team All-Events includes the all-events totals of all five team members.
"We came in with a plan and knew what we wanted to do from the start," said Struck, a 41-year-old right-hander who is one of just 19 bowlers to record two perfect games in Open Championships competition. "We try to get guys together who have similar games and can do similar things. We started around boards six, seven and eight and gradually moved left to about boards 15 and 16. Our communication was very good."
The team's successful communication can be attributed to a dozen years together at the Open Championships and more than 25 years in events across the Chicago area. They also had the opportunity to practice together on the tournament pattern twice a week at Bluebird Lanes and nearby Town and Country Lanes.
"The owners at both centers were gracious enough to put out the pattern, and we practiced on it about twice a week since it became available," Struck said. "From there, we discussed bowling balls and ball reaction and where we wanted to play as a group. George (Kontos, 2001 Regular Team co-champion) understands what it takes to win an eagle and become a team champion, so without the owners encouraging success, it would be very hard to do what we did."
Struck led the group's Team All-Events surge with a 2,023 all-events total and was followed by Ron Davis (1,941), Robert Flaws (1,940), Michael Dugan (1,869) and Dennis Campbell (1,829). Flaws also competed at less than 100 percent because of an injured knee that required a cortisone shot before traveling to Reno, while Dugan stepped in at the last minute for a regular team member who couldn't make the trip.
"Right now, this is awesome," said Struck, whose best all-events total is 2,118, which he rolled at the 2002 event in Billings, Mont. "This is the biggest tournament of the year. This is what you bowl for. We spent months preparing and discussing what we wanted to do, and to come out and do it is awesome."
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Idaho duo takes Classified Doubles lead
Scott Wilcox (r.) of Georgetown, Idaho, and his nephew Tyson Sims (l.) spend a lot of time together enjoying various activities, and that now includes competing at the USBC Open Championships.The two bowled together on the tournament lanes for the second consecutive year and found their way into the Classified Doubles lead with a 1,182 total at the National Bowling Stadium on Friday.
Sims led the way with games of 199, 204 and 190 for a 593 series, while Wilcox contributed 205, 197 and 187 for 589. Holly Ventura of Harwood, Ill., and Bob Zurek of River Grove, Ill., previously held the lead with 1,149.
"This feels pretty awesome," said Wilcox, who bowls regularly at their family-owned Jolara Lanes in Montpelier, Idaho, and made his seventh Open Championships appearance. "We've talked about doing this for quite a while. I told him coming in we were capable, and we were able to do it."
Sims made his second trip to the Open Championships and was a lot more relaxed and confident than he was in his debut last year in Las Vegas.
"I really didn't know what I was getting into last year," Sims said. "But this year, I was a lot more laid back and there wasn't as much pressure on me. I was able to relax and adjust to the shot a little bit, and I'm really happy with how we bowled."
The 24-year-old right-hander finished his sophomore campaign with 538 in singles and 493 in team for a 1,624 all-events total. Wilcox added 472 in singles and 431 in team for 1,492.
To be eligible for the Classified Division, a team must have a combined average of 900 or less and 360 or less for doubles. Individuals must have an average of 180 or less for singles and all-events.
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Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.
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107th USBC Open Championships
National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., United States (Feb. 20 - July 5, 2010)
REGULAR DIVISION
Top 10 division leaders with hometown and pinfalls
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Team1, Bluebird Lanes (Dennis Campbell, Ron Davis, Michael Dugan, Robert Flaws, Ray Struck), Orland Park, Ill., 3,122. 2, Central Saw and Mower, Racine, Wis., 3,081. 3, Bowlers Junction, Hemet, Calif., 3,080. 4, J&J Pro Shop, Mount Crawford, Va., 3,066. 5, Pandorum, Buford, Ga., 3,063. 6, CMS Concrete 2, Nashua, N.H., 3,049. 7, Pita Uno, Shakopee, Minn., 3,023. 8, Hot Printing 1, Holland, Ohio, 3,021. 9, Super Bowl-Appleton, Kaukauna, Wis., 3,016. 10, On Track Pro Shop 1, Lockport, Ill., 3,008.
Doubles
1, Jason Hale, Des Moines, Iowa/Matt Smith, Altoona, Iowa, 1,411. 2, Mark Henrichs, Edgar, Wis./Jim Moore, Mosinee, Wis., 1,362. 3, Richard Voakes Jr., Oshkosh, Wis./Troy Schaefer, Neenah, Wis., 1,326. 4, Mitch Bakies, Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Mark Wolford, West Liberty, Ohio, 1,323. 5, David Meyer, Staatsburg, N.Y./Steve Ferraro, Kingston, N.Y., 1,313. 6, John Bossone, Carroll, Ohio/Carl Cramer Jr., Austintown, Ohio, 1,307. 7, Shawn Mariani/Ryan Mapes, Havre, Mont., 1,301. 8, Shaun Scott, Lakewood, Wash./Terry Rude Jr., Federal Way, Wash., 1,298. 9, Mike Taylor, Emmett, Idaho/Robert Shafer, Boise, Idaho, 1,295. 10, Jim Larsen, Racine, Wis./Butch Luther, Franksville, Wis., 1,294.
Singles
1, Barry Zimmerman, Grand Forks, N.D., 766. 2, Larry Thompson Jr., Spring, Texas, 742. 3, Steven Vance, Stone Mountain, Ga., 729. 4, Ron Davis, Orland Park, Ill., 727. 5, Matt Smith, Altoona, Iowa, 722. 6 (tie), Steve Blanchet, Lawrence, Mass., and Chris Kirschner, Seattle, 715. 8, Jim Moore, Mosinee, Wis., 713. 9, David Zaback, Hightstown, N.J., 711. 10, John Pickard, Clio, Mich., 709.
All-Events
1, Matt Smith, Altoona, Iowa, 2,073. 2, Barry Zimmerman, Grand Forks, N.D., 2,044. 3, Ray Struck, Orland Park, Ill., 2,023. 4, Jim Moore, Mosinee, Wis., 2,016. 5, William Banks, Laurel Hill, N.C., 1,986. 6, Patrick Foley Jr., Sparks, Nev., 1,975. 7, Jay Heinzelman, Evansville, Wis., 1,963. 8, Nick Heilman, La Crosse, Wis., 1,957. 9 (tie), Chris Kirschner, Seattle, Edward Pawlowski, Toledo, Ohio, and Larry Thompson Jr., Spring, Texas, 1,955.
Team All-Events
1, Bluebird Lanes (Dennis Campbell, Ron Davis, Michael Dugan, Robert Flaws, Ray Struck), Orland Park, Ill., 9,602. 2, Bowlers Junction, Hemet, Calif., 9,214. 3, Super Bowl-Appleton, Kaukauna, Wis., 9,165. 4, Hot Printing 1, Holland, Ohio, 9,135. 5, Breakpoint Pro Shop 1, Sartell, Minn., 9,096. 6, Breakpoint Pro Shop 2, Sartell, Minn., 9,075. 7, Team Dirty, Madison, Wis., 9,060. 8, Bowldocs Pro Shop 1, University Place, Wash., 9,031. 9, Central Saw and Mower, Racine, Wis., 9,017. 10, Tom's Rhinoplasty, Newton, Iowa, 8,989.
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CLASSIFIED DIVISION
Team
1, EWI/NPS/Denny's (Lawanda Scott, Lynette Crowther, Derek Arnold, Kelliann Frank, Phillip Savelli), Mentor, Ohio, 2,699. 2, Whitlow Furnace, Scobey, Mont., 2,602. 3, Stevens Seed, Clarion, Iowa, 2,594. 4, Who U Wit, Hayward, Calif., 2,578. 5, Stuart Bowl 3, Stuart, Iowa, 2,573. 6, Minnow's Marine, Havre, Mont., 2,558. 7, Lake Country Rollers 1, Clarissa, Minn., 2,547. 8, Parnell Gang 2, Belding, Mich., 2,539. 9 (tie), Toby's Lounge, Vermillion, S.D., and 3 Jokers & 2 Queens, Buford, Ga., 2,536.
Doubles
1, Tyson Sims/Scott Wilcox, Georgetown, Idaho, 1,182. 2, Holly Ventura, Harwood Heights, Ill./Bob Zurek, River Grove, Ill., 1,149. 3, Scott Werner, Overland Park, Kan./Mark Klyn, Pella, Iowa, 1,145. 4, Terry Crowther/Monte Gebhardt, Roundup, Mont., 1,141. 5, Terry Henkle, Garrison, Iowa/Larry Albers, Van Horne, Iowa, 1,139. 6, Kevin Jenkins/George Haney, Incline Village, Nev., 1,138. 7 (tie), Delbert Peterson, Glendale, Ariz./Kyle Wagner, Canton, Ill., and Jerry Bormann, Moorhead, Minn./Linda Hirchert, West Fargo, N.D., 1,131. 9, Steven Schmid/Wendy Oswald, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 1,129. 10, Art Harding, Driggs, Idaho/Dan Weaver, Saint Anthony, Idaho, 1,126.
Singles
1, Mark Plute, Montrose, Colo., 644. 2, Ryan Goettsch, Galva, Iowa, 618. 3, Robb Waynick, Dunbridge, Ohio, 605. 4, Ryan Fritchen, Dakota Dunes, S.D., 604. 5 (tie), Patrick Mcdermand, Villa Park, Ill., and Roger Southland, Lowell, Mich., 595. 7 (tie), Alexander Gum, Redwood City, Calif., and Julie Wahman, Dexter, Iowa, 591. 9, Jeff Lakey, West Richland, Wash., 589. 10, Richard Eisenhut, Downers Grove, Ill., 587.
All-Events
1, Richard Eisenhut, Downers Grove, Ill., 1,766. 2, Doug Boleyn, Waterloo, Iowa, 1,719. 3, Ryan Goettsch, Galva, Iowa, 1,702. 4, Mark Plute, Montrose, Colo., 1,701. 5, Robb Waynick, Dunbridge, Ohio, 1,690. 6, Gena Harvey, Boise, Idaho, 1,689. 7, Jay Lere, Moorhead, Minn., 1,687. 8, Nick Petri Jr., Bolivar, Mo., 1,679. 9, Chris Shiroma, Mission Viejo, Calif., 1,673. 10, Don Scott, Sioux City, Iowa, 1,672.
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