Linds Lakers back on top at USBC Open Championships

05/04/11

United States

2011USBCOCLindsLakers1.jpgFor the second consecutive year, Linds Lakers 1 of Minneapolis (pictured) walked out of the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., with the lead in Team All-Events at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.

Last year, the team finished in second place, 97 pins short of a third Team All-Events title since 2002. The group also came up short in team with another runner-up finish.

2011USBCOCLukeVoaklander.jpgLuke Voaklander (right), the only team member not on the roster during the 2002 and 2006 title runs, led the way this year with a 2,093 all-events total, which included a 300 game that was broadcast live on BOWL.com on April 29.

The 31-year-old right-hander helped the group to a 10,076 total, marking the 27th time in 108 years of USBC Open Championships history that a team has eclipsed the 10,000 mark. Linds Lakers 1 also accomplished the feat in 2002 (10,339) and 2010 (10,187). Linds Cedarvale 2 of Eagan, Minn., led by 2010 Regular All-Events champion Matt McNiel, previously held the lead this year with 10,027.

Voaklander was followed by Gary Green (2,032), John Eiss (2,015), Sam Lantto (2,000) and Charles Vashaw (1,936). The original fifth member of the title-winning team is USBC Hall of Famer Todd Savoy, who chose to bowl with his family this year instead.

"Each time is different," said Eiss, who made his 38th Open Championships appearance. "Each time has its own special things. My daughter bowled with us this year on the other team, and we bowled doubles together, so she got to experience things on a personal level, and that was really neat. We also aren't getting any younger. Every time we bowl, we think this might be our last chance, and we thought that last year. We just missed out on the team event, and that one hurt the most."

 


Ohio bowlers catapult into Regular Doubles lead


2011USBCOCGeorgeRowanRodSinger.jpgGeorge Rowan and Rod Singer (l-r) of Columbus, Ohio, were in perfect harmony as they moved into the Regular Doubles lead with a 1,494 total at the National Bowling Stadium on April 30. Erik Hohlbein of Renton, Wash., and Shawn Copeland of Milwaukie, Ore., previously held the lead with 1,466.

Singer put together games of 278, 242 and 289 for an 809 series, while Rowan added 205, 257 and 223 for 685. Singer's 800 series was the 10th of this year's USBC Open Championships and the third in two days.

"I had the right ball in my hand and was very comfortable," said Singer, who made his 16th Open Championships appearance. "It's all about getting comfortable. It's nice to know when you let it go that it's going to make the right move."

Singer added 727 in singles and 593 in team for 2,129, and Rowan had 594 in team and 566 in singles for 1,845.

 


Eleven bowlers roll honor scores at National Bowling Stadium


2011USBCOCChrisGibbons.jpgThe month of April traditionally is known for its spring showers, and the phenomenon made its way to the USBC Open Championships this week with a flurry of honor scores at the National Bowling Stadium.

Six bowlers rolled 300 games, while there were three 299s, a 298 and three 800 series.

Chris Gibbons (pictured left) of Madison, Wis., became the 21st bowler in tournament history with two perfect games on the championship lanes. His first came 20 years ago at the 1991 event in Toledo, Ohio.

"Twenty years ago, I was young and didn't really understand what was going on," said Gibbons, who made his 22nd USBC Open Championships appearance. "Now that I'm older, I understand what it means and how special it is to accomplish something like this at this tournament."

2011USBCOCDougMorton.jpg2011USBCOCChrisLaSpina.jpgGibbons finished team with a 705 series and added 677 in singles and 634 in doubles for a 2,016 all-events total May 2.

Other 300 shooters this week include: Doug Morton (left) of Anchorage, Alaska; Chris LaSpina (right) of Garnerville, N.Y.; Luke Voaklander of Saint Bonifacious, Minn.; Mark Dahart of Willingboro, N.J.; Tony Bennett of Worcester, Mass.

LaSpina's 300 came between games of 258 and 256 for an 814 series, which is tied for second place in Regular Singles. Matt Weggen of Muscatine, Iowa, leads with 826.

2011USBCOCJohnSzczerbinski.jpg2011USBCOCWendyMacpherson.jpgFormer Team USA member and three-time collegiate national champion John Szczerbinski (left) of North Tonawanda, N.Y., also made a run at the singles lead with games of 269, 246 and 290 for 805, which is fifth overall. He also shot 299 during doubles and finished the year with a 2,165 all-events total.

Rod Singer of Columbus, Ohio, had the last 800 series of the week with games of 278, 242 and 289 for 809. He teamed with George Rowan to take the Regular Doubles lead with 1,494. Roman added 205, 257 and 223 for 685.

USBC Hall of Famer Wendy Macpherson (right) of Henderson, Nev., and Jay Kreitzer of Olathe, Kan., also shot 299 this week, while Frederick Crosby of Southfield, Mich., tossed the lone 298.

 


Maryland bowler wins second of four trucks


2011USBCOCEdDavis.jpgEd Davis Jr. (center) of Havre De Grace, Md., has competed at the USBC Open Championships 38 times since his debut in 1968 and has brought four teams with him for the past 16 years.

His duties as a team captain earned him the ultimate recognition at the National Bowling Stadium on May 1 as he was awarded the second of four Chevy Silverado pickup trucks being given away this year through the USBC Eagle's Nest, a club formed by USBC and the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority to recognize captains who field teams in 2010 and 2011.

Upon hearing the announcement, Davis dropped to his knees in excitement. RSCVA Communications Manager Ben McDonald and USBC Open Championships Operations Manager Chip Aki were present to make the announcement and presentation.

"It's a fantastic feeling," said Davis, who owns Harford Pro Shop. "It's hard to accept and makes you extremely nervous when you're trying to bowl. I had no idea what was going on. I had to ask my friends why they were calling my name."

The Eagle's Nest was created in conjunction with the RSCVA as a way to recognize captains for their hard work and to celebrate the return of the Open Championships to Reno for an unprecedented second-consecutive year.

 


A look ahead


There will be one live streaming broadcast from the USBC Open Championships this week. Defending Regular Doubles champions Steve Bohn of Norwood, Minn., and John Kreyer Jr. of Fridley, Minn., will put their title on the line live on BOWL.com on May 7 at 8:30 p.m. EDT.

2011USBCOCLogo.jpg Presenting sponsors for the 2011 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, Nev. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Humana, official registration sponsor, 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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108th USBC Open Championships


National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., USA (March 4 - July 3, 2011)

REGULAR DIVISION


Top 10 division leaders with hometown and pinfall

 

Team
1, Brian Brazeau Pro Shop (Rich Abboud, Jace Peterson, Brian Brazeau, John Socha, Dennis Rakauskas), Ocala, Fla., 3,439. 2, Cambridge 1, Feeding Hills, Mass., 3,410. 3, Janzs H I, Beaver Dam, Wis., 3,407. 4, 900 Global Indy, Indianapolis, 3,381. 5, Pam's Boys 1, Salem, Ore., 3,371. 6, Visionary Minnesota 1, Arden Hills, Minn., 3,365. 7, Northern Lanes Rec, Sanford, Mich., 3,357. 8, Ewash Men, Yakima, Wash., 3,353. 9, Ebonite HQ 1, Monroe, N.J., 3,344. 10, Champions Bowling, Arlington, Texas, 3,323.

Doubles
1, George Rowan/Rod Singer, Columbus, Ohio, 1,494. 2, Erik Hohlbein, Renton, Wash./Shawn Copeland, Milwaukie, Ore., 1,466. 3, Joe Reyburn, Pasco, Wash./Evan Nash, Kennewick, Wash., 1,455. 4, Charles Surina, Bolingbrook, Ill./Bill Guszczo, Orland Park, Ill., 1,447. 5, Paul Fleming, Keller, Texas/Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 1,442. 6, Carl Fietek, Eden Prairie, Minn./Jason Barnhouse, Castle Rock, Colo., 1,440. 7, Mike Kruse Jr./Mike Kruse Sr., Vermillion, S.D., 1,438. 8, Craig Kamke, Shawano, Wis./Steve Kmetz, Twin Lakes, Wis., 1,431. 9, Justin Hromek, Towanda, Kan./Tim Penner, Wichita, Kan., 1,426. 10, Harold Peetz/Joel Ray, Hamilton, Ohio, 1,420.

Singles
1, Matt Weggen, Muscatine, Iowa, 826. 2 (tie), Chris LaSpina, Garnerville, N.Y. and Edward Rede, El Paso, Texas, 814. 4, Adam Cardwell, Woodbury, Minn., 807. 5, John Szczerbinski, Wichita, Kan., 805. 6, Taylor Coggins, Burleson, Tex., 793. 7, William Vincent Jr., Louisville, Ky., 792. 8, Robert Gotchall, Lincoln, Neb., 790. 9, Clint Johnson, Dallas, 784. 10, Dagan Williams, Buda, Texas, 778.

All-Events
1, Matt Weggen, Muscatine, Iowa, 2,268. 2, Raymond Edwards, Middle Island, N.Y., 2,258. 3, Matt McNiel, Chanhassen, Minn., 2,241. 4, T.J. Schmidt, Osceola, Ind., 2,232. 5, Mike Rose Jr., West Henrietta, N.Y., 2,206. 6, Kelly Bonta, Wichita, Kan., 2,177. 7, Steve Harms, West Valley City, Utah, 2,174. 8, John Szczerbinski, Wichita, Kan., 2,165. 9, Joel Carlson, Omaha, Neb., 2,164. 10, Edward Rede, El Paso, Texas, 2,154.

Team All-Events
1, Linds Lakers 1 (Sam Lantto, Gary Green, Luke Voaklaner, Charles Vashaw, John Eiss), Minneapolis, 10,076. 2, Linds Cedarvale 2, Eagan, Minn., 10,027. 3, Cambridge 1, Feeding Hills, Mass., 10,023. 4, Ebonite HQ 1, Monroe, N.J., 9,933. 5, DAPP Embroidery, Grand Prairie, Texas, 9,911. 6, Trophy King Pro Shop, Bettendorf, Iowa, 9,889. 7, Pohl Position, West Henrietta, N.Y., 9,875. 8, CareerAthletes.com, Wichita, Kan., 9,865. 9, Northern Lanes Rec, Sanford, Mich., 9,864. 10, Frans Pro Shop 3, Waterloo, Iowa, 9,863.

 


CLASSIFIED DIVISION


Top 10 division leaders with hometown and pinfall

 

Team
1, Paradise Lanes (Nick Cornelison, Glen Hurt, Toby Sanchez, Shane Hartman, Matt Landis), Walden, Colo., 2,910. 2, Shears Sports, Montpelier, Idaho, 2,898. 3, Garden Center Lanes 3, Alexandria, Minn., 2,794. 4, Eagle Bowl 2, Eagle Grove, Iowa, 2,721. 5, Bill Henry Construction, Havre, Mont., 2,718. 6, Bay Area Express 2, San Mateo, Calif., 2,707. 7, Fire in the Hole, Princess, Md., 2,696. 8, Dave Ramsey's Pro Shop, Blawnox, Pa., 2,689. 9, Garden Center Lanes 5, Alexandria, Minn., 2,685. 10, Strikeforce, Plfugerville, Texas, 2,677.

Doubles
1, James D'Arcy, Van Nuys, Calif./David Bore, Canoga Park, Calif., 1,207. 2, Jeff Matesa, Graham, Wash./Tony Renggli, University Place, Wash., 1,202. 3 (tie), Richard Anderson, Julesburg, Colo./Dan Ford, Chappell, Neb., and Bill King, Vergas, Minn./Mark Kemper, Frazee, Minn., 1,180. 5, Toby Maack, Billings, Mont./Archie Caraveau, Forsyth, Mont., 1,178. 6, Gary Buchanan, Las Vegas/Julie Jaques, Henderson, Nev., 1,166. 7, Dave Essler, Alexandria, Minn./Scott Toenyan, Garfield, Minn., 1,165. 8 (tie), Steve Philippi/Tim Nicholas, Central City, Neb., and Daniel Carlson/Robert Kaul, Madison, Wis., 1,161. 10, Karen Fell/Greg Fell, Waseca, Minn., 1,158.

Singles
1 (tie), Robert Petersen, Crystal Lake, Ill., and Scott Blaisdell, Malad, Idaho, 680. 3, Dennis Redmond, Hampton, Va., 665. 4, Mike Jessen, Gower, Mo., 650. 5, Dustin Scovil, Helper, Utah, 647. 6, Richard McGill, Chicago, 643. 7, Oscar Gomez, Salt Lake City, 640. 8, Mark Bylander, Vergas, Minn., 638. 9, Marc White, Bay City, Mich., 636. 10, Donald Greimann, Hampton, Iowa, 634.

All-Events
1, Mark Bylander, Vergas, Minn., 1,842. 2, Scott Blaisdell, Malad, Idaho, 1,830. 3, Mike Jessen, Gower, Mo., 1,815. 4, William Larsen, Montpelier, Idaho, 1,802. 5, Jeff Jones, San Mateo, Calif., 1,773. 6, Curt VanLaningham, Ogallala, Neb., 1,764. 7, George Reola, Rosemead, Calif., 1,751. 8, Donald Greimann, Hampton, Iowa, 1,746. 9 (tie), Darren Lindgren, Norfolk, Neb., and Glynn Arceneaux, Lafayette, La., 1,744.

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