01/15/07
2006-07 PBA Tour #10
Rash wins his third career title in Earl Anthony Medford Classic
Lava Lanes in Medford, OR (Jan. 10-14, 2007)
Sean Rash became just the second bowler in Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour history to win a title in his first three TV appearances, defeating Brian Himmler, 262-190, to win the 2007 Earl Anthony Medford Classic Sunday at Lava Lanes. The 24-year-old won his first career title last season, becoming the first bowler in history to go from the Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round to the title. He won his second title earlier this season in the Beltway Classic.
Rash nearly made more history, as he started with the title match with eight consecutive strikes and looked like he might become the 18th bowler in history to bowl a televised 300 game. He opened in the 9th frame to end the string, but cruised to improve to 6-0 on TV in his short career.
"This one means a lot. Earl Anthony and Dick Weber were two of the greatest bowlers of all time, and to win the tournament named after Earl means a lot," said Rash (Wichita, Kan.). "Hopefully us young guns can win as many times as they did. I'd like to win the Dick Weber event next week as well."
Last season's PBA Rookie of the Year runner-up joined Hugh Miller as the only other bowler to win his first three TV appearances. Miller won titles in his first four TV appearances.
Rash advanced to the title match with a 232-227 win over Patrick Healey Jr. Healey held the early lead after striking in five of the first six frames, while Rash had four consecutive spares in frames 4-7, including a crucial 4-9 split conversion in the fifth.
Healey had back-to-back nine-spares to let Rash back in the match, and Rash took advantage with a double in the 8th and 9th. Healey still could have shut Rash out with a double in the 10th, but he had another nine-spare and Rash struck with his first ball in the 10th to win.
In the first semifinal, Himmler defeated the No. 1 bowler in the PBA World Point Rankings Wes Malott, 209-183. Malott had back-to-back opens in the fourth and fifth and struck just twice the rest of the match. Himmler's double in the 8th and 9th all but wrapped up the match.
Rash earned $25,000, while Himmler (Cincinnati) took home $13,000 for second. Malott (Argyle, Texas) earned $6,500 for third and Healey (Denton, Texas) earned $5,500 for fourth.
Next week the Denny's PBA Tour heads to Fountain Valley, Calif., for the 2007 Dick Weber Open, Jan. 16-21 at Fountain Bowl. The live ESPN televised stepladder finals take place Sunday, Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. PST.
Earl Anthony Medford Classic
Lava Lanes in Medford, OR (Jan. 10-14, 2007)
Championship Round:
1. Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan. 494 (2 games), $25,000
2. Brian Himmler, Cincinnati 399 (2 games,) $13,000
3. Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas 183 (1 game), $6,500
4. Patrick Healey Jr., Denton, Texas 227 (1 game), $5,500
Playoff Results:
Semi-final Match #1: Himmler def. Malott, 209-183
Semi-final Match #2: Rash defeated Healey, 232-227
Championship Match: Rash def. Himmler, 262-190.
This is Rash's third career Denny's PBA Tour title.
Picture courtesy of PBA LLC/Musitelli.
Himmler targets to defend title in Earl Anthony Medford Classic
After Thursday's Round of 64, the thought of defending his Earl Anthony Medford Classic title looked bleak, but after Friday's match-play, Brian Himmler sits in prime position to make it two straight at Lava Lanes.The four-time Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) title holder was the last man to qualify for the Round of 32, but quickly made some noise by knocking off top-seeded Tim Criss (Bel Air, Md.), four-games-to-two.
Himmler then topped last week's H&R Block Classic champion Patrick Allen (Wesley Chapel, Fla.), 4-2, which ended Allen's 18-game winning streak, before eliminating Del Ballard Jr. (North Richland Hills, Texas), 4-1.
"I'm excited, but that was a year ago," said Himmler (Cincinnati) about the possibility of defending his title. "I had a great first round today after struggling last night. I had a big break and made match play by one pin. You have to have breaks out here if you want to survive and I got a couple of big breaks."
Himmler has had previous success in defending a title, winning back-to-back titles in Vernon Hills, Ill., in 2003-04 and 2004-05.
To get to the title match, Himmler must first go through Wes Malott (Argyle, Texas), who earned a career-high fifth TV appearance this season. The 12th seed did so by cruising by No. 4 Jason Couch (Clermont, Fla.), 4-1, averaging 253.2 over five games in the match.
The other half of the bracket will feature 2006 Beltway Classic winner Sean Rash (Wichita, Kan.) taking on No. 26 Patrick Healey Jr. (Flower Mound, Texas).
Rash advanced to Sunday's show by defeating two consecutive bowlers from the Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round in Dino Castillo (Carrollton, Texas), 4-2, and Ronnie Russell (Indianapolis), 4-1.
Healey, the only bowler of the four finalists not to win in five games, defeated Jeff Carter (Springfield, Ill.), 4-2. It wasn't the longest match of the day for the three-time Denny's PBA Tour titlist, however, as he went seven games with Steve Jaros (Yorkville, Ill.) and Ryan Shafer (Horseheads, N.Y.) in the Rounds of 16 and 32, respectively.
The top four bowlers advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 10 a.m. PST at Lava Lanes. The winner will take home $25,000 and a one-season Denny's PBA Tour exemption.
Round of 8
Single-elimination, best-of-seven games, losers eliminated
#6 Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, def.
#30 Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, 4-1
(214-214, 220-152, 258-196, 202-247, 253-252)
Russell earns $3,500.
#26 Patrick Healey Jr, Mexico, def.
#31 Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 4-2
(204-190, 244-257, 233-214, 268-192, 195-217, 213-187)
Carter earns $5,000.
#32 Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, def.
#24 Del Ballard Jr., N. Richland Hills, Texas, 4-1
(247-252, 235-222, 225-190, 289-248, 258-248)
Ballard earns $3,700.
#12 Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas, def.
#4 Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 4-1
(245-248, 246-192, 250-248, 247-213, 278-192)
Couch earns $4,000.
Round of 16
Single-elimination, best-of-seven games, losers eliminated
#12 Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas, def.
#28 Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 4-1
(248-225, 279-230, 183-247, 205-194, 247-225)
Koivuniemi earns $2,500.
#30 Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, def.
#14 Steve Weber, Buford, Ga., 4-3
(235-247, 163-201, 196-180, 197-223, 228-195, 265-237, 227-222)
Weber earns $2,800.
#32 Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, def.
#16 Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 4-2
(278-160, 195-212, 237-233, 247-203, 235-269, 247-226)
Allen earns $2,650.
#26 Patrick Healey Jr., Mexico, def.
#23 Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 4-3
(201-226, 300-225, 300-203, 232-216, 190-258, 188-286, 278-248)
Jaros earns $3,000.
#6 Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, def.
#22 Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 4-2
(265-172, 233-209, 245-278, 234-181, 205-213, 246-202)
Castillo earns $2,600.
#4 Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., def.
#20 Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 4-3
(247-197, 278-279, 200-235, 277-213, 279-258, 214-268, 212-201)
Wollenbecker earns $2,900.
#31 Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., def.
#15 Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, 4-1
(258-220, 240-216, 254-257, 221-194, 300-172)
Barnes earns $2,550.
#24 Del Ballard Jr., N. Richland Hills, Texas, def.
#8 Mike Machuga, Erie, Pa., 4-2
(192-204, 268-196, 229-228, 238-257, 257-205, 266-188)
Machuga earns $2,700.
Round of 32
Single-elimination, best-of-seven games, losers eliminated, earn $2,200.
#15 Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, def.
#18 Marv Sargent, Temecula, Calif., 4-1
(226-176, 238-206, 206-215, 288-213, 300-237)
#20 Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, def.
#13 Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., 4-1
(234-179, 247-244, 200-190, 173-180, 236-226)
#22 Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, def.
#11 Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 4-2
(223-213, 232-214, 246-269, 227-235, 223-203, 300-258)
#24 Del Ballard Jr., N. Richland Hills, Texas, def.
#9 Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore., 4-1
(214-213, 204-197, 223-267, 256-247, 250-223)
#26 Patrick Healey Jr., Mexico, def.
#7 Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 4-3
(247-225, 176-218, 233-224, 197-238, 214-213, 206-243, 247-215)
#28 Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., def.
#5 Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 4-3
(198-300, 231-220, 278-212, 246-263, 224-253, 242-203, 246-238)
#30 Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, def.
#3 Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 4-3
(258-167, 240-243, 212-246, 213-208, 277-236, 217-289, 256-195)
#32 Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, def.
#1 Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 4-2
(204-245, 212-236, 279-204, 289-225, 216-212, 224-180)
#31 Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., def.
#2 Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 4-2
(235-235, 247-208, 258-257, 217-243, 201-224, 217-181)
#4 Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., def.
#29 Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 4-1
(235-189, 211-204, 236-207, 222-268, 255-227)
#6 Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, def.
#27 Chris Collins, Savannah, Ga., 4-1
(268-233, 233-214, 277-259, 214-259, 279-185)
#8 Mike Machuga, Erie, Pa., def.
#25 Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 4-3
(213-226, 215-243, 236-185, 217-178, 300-214, 235-265, 255-239)
#23 Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., def.
#10 Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 4-1
(209-213, 198-186, 210-202, 259-238, 247-228)
#12 Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas, def.
#21 Brian Kretzer, Kettering, Ohio, 4-1
(228-219, 237-246, 289-221, 246-209, 223-180)
#14 Steve Weber, Buford, Ga., def.
#19 Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 4-3
(227-279, 164-205, 207-191, 236-206, 171-213, 255-191, 247-169)
#16 Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., def.
#17 John May, Lincolnton, N.C., 4-0
(237-192, 243-211, 214-204, 278-231)
300 Games (7) – Chris Barnes, Jeff Carter, Dino Castillo, Patrick Healey Jr. (2), Tommy Jones, Mike Machuga.
'Turtle' shows exceptional pace in Earl Anthony Medford Classic
Though he's nicknamed "Turtle" for his slow ball speed, Tim Criss sped away from the field Thursday in the 2007 Earl Anthony Medford Classic at Lava Lanes. Criss' slow ball roll matched up well with the lanes in Medford, Ore., for the second consecutive season as he averaged 254.86 over the final seven games to lead the Round of 64 with 3,422 14-game pinfall, earning the top seed for Friday's match play.
The 21-year Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour veteran and five-time titlist finished fourth in last season's event at Lava Lanes, and he'll look to qualify for his first championship round appearance since that event in January 2006. It would also mark just his second television appearance since 2001.
"My carry percentage was just incredible tonight. I pulled out an Overtime by Ebonite and it smoothed out the wet-dry. I think I struck 95% of the time I hit the pocket," Criss (Bel Air, Md.) said. "The lanes normally play pretty tight here which favors my ball speed so I don't feel like I have to fight the early hook like I do in other centers."
Criss came into the week 39th in the PBA World Point Rankings. The top 40 earn exemptions of the 2007-08 season, but 10 events remain which award points.
"It's way too early to worry about that," Criss said. "I've been starting off slow the last couple of years and both times I've bowled much better the second half. I feel like I've turned it around the last couple weeks."
A 290 in game nine and a 279 in game 14 helped Criss cruise to the lead. He'll face defending champion Brian Himmler (Cincinnati) in the Round of 32. Himmler edged out Brian LeClair (Athens, N.Y.) by one pin for the final spot in match play with a 257 in game 14. Ironically, Himmler defeated Criss in the event's semifinals last season on his way to the title.
Finishing second with 3,343 was 2005-06 PBA Rookie of the Year Bill O'Neill (Levittown, Pa.). O'Neill will face No. 31 Jeff Carter (Springfield, Ill.) in the Round of 32.
Roseburg, Ore., resident Bryon Smith, who advanced to the Round of 64 through Wednesday's Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round, finished ninth with 3,244. Smith, a former Masters champion, will face 12-time titlist Del Ballard Jr. (N. Richland Hills, Texas), who finished 24th with 3,154.
Match play Friday features single elimination, best-of-seven games match play starting at 9 a.m. PST.
The final four advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 10 a.m. PST. The winner will take home $25,000 and an exemption for the 2007-08 Denny's PBA Tour season.
Round of 64
Players with position, hometown and 14-game pinfall. Top 32 advance to match play. Positions 33-64 earn $1,800.
1, Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 3,422
2, Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 3,343
3, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 3,332
4, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 3,320
5, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 3,313
6, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, 3,295
7, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 3,278
8, Mike Machuga, Erie, Pa., 3,274
9, Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore., 3,244
10, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 3,238
11, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 3,227
12, Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas, 3,217
13, Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., 3,208
14, Steve Weber, Chalmette, La., 3,199
15, Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, 3,198
16, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 3,197
17, John May, Lincolnton, N.C., 3,196
18, Marv Sargent, Temecula, Calif., 3,181
19, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 3,172
20, Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 3,171
20, Brian Kretzer, Kettering, Ohio, 3,171
22, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 3,165
23, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 3,163
24, Del Ballard Jr., N. Richland Hills, Texas, 3,154
25, Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 3,153
26, Patrick Healey Jr., Mexico, 3,144
27, Chris Collins, Savannah, Ga., 3,141
27, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 3,141
29, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 3,140
30, Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, 3,134
31, Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 3,130
32, Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, 3,128
Missed Cut:
33, Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 3,127
34, Richard Wolfe, Vienna, Va., 3,126
35, Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, 3,110
36, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 3,109
37, Mike DeVaney, Temecula, Calif., 3,106
38, Michael Haugen Jr., Cave Creek, Ariz., 3,090
39, Chris Hayden, Orlando, Fla., 3,077
40, Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., 3,075
41, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 3,066
42, Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., 3,065
43, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 3,062
44, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 3,047
45, David Tessman, Lake Placid, Fla., 3,036
46, Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, 3,035
47, Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 3,021
48, Tommy Delutz Jr., Flushing, N.Y., 3,012
49, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 3,010
50, Patrick Girard, Jonquiere, Quebec, 2,992
51, Billy Oatman, Chicago, 2,989
52, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 2,988
53, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 2,962
54, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 2,961
54, Marshall Holman, Medford, Ore., 2,961
56, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 2,954
57, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 2,945
58, Matt Freiberg, Somerset, N.J., 2,944
59, Matt Eilenberger, Central Point, Ore., 2,911
60, David Traber, Hebron, Ill., 2,901
61, Paul Fleming, Bedford, Texas, 2,882
62, Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 2,864
63, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 2,848
64, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 0 (WD)
300 games - Dino Castillo.
Couch, O'Neill set the pace in Round of 64 in Medford
In the end, neither thought they were leading, but Jason Couch (left) and Bill O'Neill sit together atop the leader board after the first seven games of the Round of 64 in the 2007 Earl Anthony Medford Classic at Lava Lanes. As they entered the seventh game, O'Neill (Levittown, Pa.) was in second by one pin behind Bryon Smith (Roseburg, Ore.) while Couch (Clermont, Fla.) sat fourth, 27 pins behind Smith. While O'Neill had a 202 in the final game, it was Couch who made the bigger jump, finishing with a 234 and a seven-game pinfall of 1,693.
"I didn't think I threw it very well yesterday (in practice), but apparently I'm doing better today because I got lined up awful quick," said Couch, who finished third in last week's H&R Block Classic. "I'm working on a couple of thumb holes I didn't think felt right, but I'm going to keep doing the same thing I did the first seven games."
O'Neill admitted to being surprised that he was a leader after finishing with a 202 in his final game.
"I was really surprised. I bowled 30 over the last three games. I didn't think that was good," said the right hander, who fired a high game of 280 in game four. "I only had one open the last three games, but the lanes changed a lot and my ball wasn't striking. It was hitting the pocket, just not striking."
The defending Earl Anthony Medford Classic champion, Brian Himmler (Cincinnati), sits in third with 1,684. Smith, who won the 2003 Masters and finished third in Wednesday's Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round, is fourth with 1,678.
All 64 bowlers return at 6 p.m. PST for another seven games. The top 32 from today's rounds advance to Friday's single-elimination match play with the Round of 32 scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. PST.
The top four bowlers will advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 10 a.m. PST at Lava Lanes. The winner will take home $25,000 and a one-season Denny's PBA Tour exemption.
Round of 64 - First Block
Players with position, hometown and 7-game pinfall.
1, Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 1,693
1, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 1,693
3, Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, 1,684
4, Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore., 1,678
5, Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 1,674
6, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 1,666
7, Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 1,638
8, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 1,633
9, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, 1,628
10, Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., 1,624
11, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 1,620
12, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 1,617
13, Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, 1,616
14, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 1,612
15, Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas, 1,610
16, John May, Lincolnton, N.C., 1,603
17, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 1,601
18, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 1,599
19, Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., 1,598
19, Patrick Healey Jr, Mexico, 1,598
21, Brian Kretzer, Kettering, Ohio, 1,596
22, Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, 1,591
22, Mike Machuga, Erie, Pa., 1,591
24, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 1,585
25, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 1,579
26, Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 1,573
27, Marv Sargent, Temecula, Calif., 1,568
28, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 1,567
29, Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, 1,564
30, Steve Weber, Chalmette, la., 1,561
31, Marshall Holman, Medford, Ore., 1,558
32, Chris Collins, Savannah, Ga., 1,556
33, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 1,555
34, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 1,553
34, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 1,553
36, Tommy Delutz Jr, Flushing, N.Y., 1,549
37, Mike DeVaney, Temecula, Calif., 1,540
38, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 1,536
39, Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 1,533
40, Michael Haugen Jr, Cave Creek, Ariz., 1,531
41, David Tessman, Lake Placid, Fla., 1,528
42, Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 1,526
43, Patrick Girard, Jonquiere, Quebec, 1,525
44, Chris Hayden, Orlando, Fla., 1,523
45, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 1,522
46, Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., 1,515
47, Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 1,512
48, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 1,510
48, Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, 1,510
50, Del Ballard Jr, N. Richland Hills, Texas, 1,503
51, Paul Fleming, Bedford, Texas, 1,499
52, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 1,485
53, Walter Ray Williams Jr, Ocala, Fla., 1,479
54, Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 1,475
54, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 1,475
56, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 1,471
57, Richard Wolfe, Vienna, Va., 1,467
58, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 1,466
59, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 1,458
60, Billy Oatman, Chicago, 1,446
61, Matt Freiberg, Somerset, N.J., 1,426
62, Matt Eilenberger, Central Point, Ore., 1,417
63, David Traber, Hebron, Ill., 1,402
64, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 0. (WD)
300 Games - None.
New Jersey youngster rolls 300 to win Medford PBA Tour Qualifying Round
At just 20 years old, Matt Freiberg knows he'll learn more from his failures than his successes as a qualifier on the Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour, but he'll take a day like he had Wednesday any time. Picture courtesy of PBA. Freiberg led the Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round for the first time in his career and topped it off with his second 300 game of the season, finishing with a 1,815 seven-game pinfall at Lava Lanes.
The Somerset, N.J., native has been bowling the Tour Qualifying Rounds the last two seasons, qualifying three times and learning valuable knowledge along the way.
"I could probably write a decent sized book about how much I've learned since I've been out here. And it hasn't even slowed down yet. I still learn something every time out here," Freiberg said. "You learn so much more when you bowl badly because you take the time to figure out what you're doing wrong and you learn how to make the right ball changes. When you're stringing a lot of strikes together it's hard to learn from that."
Freiberg also spent this summer working at the Kegel Training Center in Orlando, Fla. "I had a run after I made the cut in Parkersburg last season until the end of the season when I didn't cash once. I learned so much from those six or seven eight weeks and from working at Kegel," Freiberg said. "You can't learn nearly as much when you're out bowling league."
Freiberg came out smoking with a 287 then took over the lead with games of 267, 258 and 253. He then had his two lowest games of the day – 224 and 226 – before finishing with his second career 300. His first came in the TQR for the Columbia 300 Classic in December, where he qualified for the first time this season.
Finishing second with 1,736 was Steve Weber (Chalmette, La.) while local bowler Bryon Smith (Roseburg, Ore.) finished third with 1,698.
Advancing for the fourth time this season were Troy Wollenbecker (Toledo, Ohio), who finished fourth with 1,668, and Dino Castillo (Carrollton, Texas) who was fifth with 1,602. Earning the sixth and final spot in the Round of 64 was Ronnie Russell (Indianapolis), who qualified for the third time this season, with 1,586.
Earning a spot in the Round of 64 as the top amateur was Matt Eilenberger (Central Point, Ore.), who finished 14th with 1,542. The top six PBA members advanced this week as exempt bowlers Amleto Monacelli and Jim Pratt withdrew.
Thursday's Round of 64 features two seven-game qualifying blocks, the first of which gets underway at 11 a.m. PST. The top 32 will advance to single elimination match play on Friday.
The final four advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 10 a.m. PST. The winner will take home $25,000 and an exemption for the 2007-08 Denny's PBA Tour season.
Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round
Players with position, hometown, seven-game total and average. Top six PBA members (1-6) and top amateur (14) advance. Places 7-13 cash.
1, Matt Freiberg, Somerset, N.J., 1815, 259.29
2, Steve Weber, Chalmette, la., 1736, 248.00
3, Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore., 1698, 242.57
4, Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 1668, 238.29
5, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 1602, 228.86
6, Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, 1586, 226.57
7, Chester Rogers Jr, Milwaukie, Ore, 1579, 225.57, $1,000
8, Shawn Boyd, Southampton, Pa., 1568, 224.00, $800
9, Bill Machin, Simi Valley, Calif., 1566, 223.71, $600
10, Corey Husted, Clackamas, Ore, 1565, 223.57; $450
10, Jim Tomek Jr, Camp Hill, Pa., 1565, 223.57; $450
12, Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., 1562, 223.14; $300
13, James Wallace, Hicksville, N.Y., 1555, 222.14; $200
14, Matt Eilenberger*, Central Point, Ore., 1542, 220.29
15, Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 1539, 219.86
16, Missy Bellinder, Fullerton, Calif., 1537, 219.57
17, Adam Monks, Oakland, N.J., 1528, 218.29
18, Gregory Thompson Jr, Dayton, Ohio, 1501, 214.43
19, James Hylton*, Albany, Ore., 1491, 213.00
20, DJ Archer, Mineral Wells, Texas, 1488, 212.57
21, Kevin Croucher, Grants Pass, Ore., 1486, 212.29
22, Tracy Teeters*, Salem, Ore., 1462, 208.86
22, Vayle Floria, Cerritos, Calif, 1462, 208.86
24, Shawn Copeland*, Milwaukie, Ore., 1461, 208.71
25, Jon Magerle*, Grants Pass, Ore., 1449, 207.00
26, Robert Reed Sr, Weed, Calif, 1441, 205.86
26, Curtiss Bergheim*, Vancouver, Wash., 1441, 205.86
28, Dave D'Entremont, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, 1438, 205.43
29, Edward VanDaniker Jr, Essex, Md, 1435, 205.00
30, Don Allen III, Vancouver, Wash., 1434, 204.86
31, Kevin Henley*, Medford, Ore., 1433, 204.71
32, Jerome Lee*, Medford, Ore., 1432, 204.57
32, Charles Eilenberger*, Central Point, Ore., 1432, 204.57
34, Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 1430, 204.29
35, Joshua Risley, Saugerties, N.Y., 1427, 203.86
35, Chad Kloss, Greenfield, Wis., 1427, 203.86
37, Walter Schaub II, Schaumburg, Ill., 1422, 203.14
38, Randy Pedersen, Clermont, Fla., 1400, 200.00
39, Richard Huryn, Bothell, Wash, 1373, 196.14
40, Eddie Kunkle, Daly City, Calif., 1369, 195.57
41, Allen Blansette, Willits, Calif., 1362, 194.57
42, Rick Guined*, Eugene, Ore., 1357, 193.86
43, Chad Harrington, Salem, Ore, 1343, 191.86
43, Greg Newtson, Klamath Falls, Ore., 1343, 191.86
45, Gary Ezell, Kenner, La., 1338, 191.14
46, Garret Ball*, Albany, Ore., 1336, 190.86
46, Will Smith*, Albany, Ore., 1336, 190.86
48, Mike Savoia, Olympia, Wash., 1335, 190.71
49, Travis Adams*, Eureka, Calif., 1334, 190.57
50, Aaron Pawloski, Brentwood, Calif., 1324, 189.14
51, Andrew Walters, Bend Ore, 1294, 184.86
52, Matt Olsen*, Spokane, Wash., 1279, 182.71
52, Jarrett Raz*, Portland, Ore., 1279, 182.71
54, Kenneth Edwards*, Milwaukie, Ore., 1267, 181.00
55, Dean Buchanan Jr, Snohomish, Wash., 1262, 180.29
56, Randy Scruggs*, Brookings, Ore., 1214, 173.43
57, Steve Wilstein*, Arlington, Wash., 1190, 170.00
58, Dwayne Webb, Olympia, Wash, 1038, 148.29
300 games - Matt Freiberg.
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