03/26/07

2006-07 PBA Tour #19

Kent wins second Major this season in Denny’s World Championship

Spectrum Lanes in Wyoming, Mich. (March 21-25, 2007)

It's not how you start, but how you finish. Although a great start and a great finish are okay too, as Doug Kent can attest to.

Kent became the sixth bowler in Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour history to win two Majors in one season, defeating Chris Barnes, 237-216, Sunday to win the 2007 Denny's World Championship at DeVos Place.

Kent won the season-opening United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Masters for his second career Major title, then captured his second career World Championship in the season's second-to-last event. He is the first bowler since Walter Ray Williams Jr. in 2002-03 to win two Majors in a season and the eighth bowler all-time to win multiple World Championships.

"This one really feels great, to win two in a season is very rare and just to be in this position is a great feeling," Kent said. "Chris is a great champion, it just came down to who would catch the breaks and I caught one early to get ahead which meant he had to play catch-up, and that's not the best place to be."

Though he's been fairly quiet in the second half of the season, with two Majors under his belt Kent threw his name in an already crowded Player of the Year race with one event – and the final Major – remaining.

"The last five or six weeks I just haven't been in synch and haven't felt great, but I just knew if I stuck with it I would get here again," Kent said. "I always get up for the Majors, and winning two is something everyone dreams about. It's another step closer to the Hall of Fame, too."

Kent jumped out to an early lead in the title match, striking in the first four frames, but Barnes clawed back with four consecutive strikes of his own in frames 5-8, while Kent had three spares in that span. With a chance to get within one pin of Kent, Barnes left the 4-pin in the 9th frame, however, and Kent struck with his first ball in the 10th frame for the ninth win of his career.

The Newark, N.Y., native advanced to the title match with a 235-219 win over Danny Wiseman. Kent had a chance to win by striking on his first ball in 10th, but a spare and a strike gave Wiseman a chance to tie with three strikes in the 10th. Wiseman struck with his first shot, but then left the 4-6-7-10 split to give Kent the match.

Barnes advanced to the title match with a 246-226 win over Tony Reyes.

Kent earned $50,000 and a four-season Denny's PBA Tour exemption through the 2010-11 season with the win. Barnes (Double Oak, Texas) took home $25,000 for second, Wiseman (Baltimore) earned $13,000 for third and Reyes (San Bruno, Calif.) earned $10,000 for fourth.

Next week the Denny's PBA Tour season wraps up with the 2007 PBA Tournament of Champions, March 29-April 1. The live ESPN-televised finals take place Sunday, April 1 at 1 p.m. EST at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

Denny's World Championship

Spectrum Lanes in Wyoming, Mich. (March 21-25, 2007)

Championship Match:
1. Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 472 (2 games), $50,000
2. Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 462 (2 games), $25,000
3. Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 219 (1 game), $13,000
4. Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 226 (1 game), $10,000

Playoff Results:
First Match: Kent def. Wiseman, 235-219
Second Match: Barnes def. Reyes, 246-226
Championship Match: Kent def. Barnes, 237-216.

This is Kent's ninth career Denny's PBA Tour title and third Major title.
Pictures courtesy of PBA LLC/Langdon.

Barnes, Kent, Reyes, Wiseman to bowl for the title in Denny's World Championship

Wes Malott and Tony Reyes (pictured left) faced off in the Round of 8 in the 2007 Denny's World Championship for the right to be the lone finalist without a Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour Major title.

After six games of best-of-seven match play, Reyes (San Bruno, Calif.) advanced with a 4-2 win over Malott at Spectrum Lanes. While Malott opened hot with a 270-237 win in the first game, Reyes won the next two before Malott evened the match at two games apiece.

Reyes posted a 246 in games five and six, however, to Malott's 189 and 219 to wrap up the match.

"It's my second week in a row making the finals. I'm feeling hot and Michigan has been very good for me. I won my first title in Detroit, so I'm going to try to make it two-for-two," said Reyes, who finished fourth in last week's Pepsi Championship.

"Every single guy in the finals is really strong. I am really confident that I'll be able to pull this one out and join that elite group that's won a Major title. I know all the guys have won a Major, so it's going to be a really tough field."

Reyes will face No. 6 Chris Barnes (right), the only bowler to go undefeated in match play.

Barnes (Double Oak, Texas) rolled through his two rounds of match play going 8-0 in defeating Mike Edwards (Tulsa, Okla.) in the Round of Super 16 and Tim Criss (Bel Air, Md.) in the Round of 8.

Doug Kent (Newark, N.Y.) and Danny Wiseman (Baltimore, Md.) both advanced with 4-1 victories over Brad Angelo and Jeff Lizzi, respectively.

Kent (left), who was the tournament's top bowler coming out of qualifying, opened the match with three straight wins over Angelo (Lockport, N.Y.), who was the only bowler in the Round of 8 who did not receive a bye in the first two rounds of match play.

Angelo took advantage of Kent's low game in the fourth game to pick up his first and only win of the match, 220-172, before Kent rebounded with a 229-219 win to cap the five-game match.

Wiseman (right) opened his match with a slim 209-207 win over Lizzi (Sandusky, Ohio) before winning the next game, 236-205. Lizzi took the third game, 181-169, before dropping the next two games and allowing Wiseman to advance to the finals to face Kent.

The four bowlers advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 2 p.m. EST at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Mich. The winner will take home $50,000 and a four-season exemption through the 2010-11 Denny's PBA Tour season.

Round of 8

(Single elimination, best-of-seven-games match play. Losers eliminated, cash.

#1 Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., def.
#25 Brad Angelo ($6,500), Lockport, N.Y., 4-1
(213-163, 203-199, 236-222, 172-220, 229-219)

#7 Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., def.
#2 Wes Malott ($8,000), Argyle, Texas, 4-2
(237-270, 228-208, 214-202, 214-226, 246-189, 246-219)

#5 Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, def.
#4 Jeff Lizzi ($7,000), Sandusky, Ohio, 4-1
(209-207, 236-205, 169-181, 238-208, 269-234)

#6 Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, def.
#3 Tim Criss ($6,000), Bel Air, Md., 4-0
(265-221, 185-173, 236-177, 236-224)

Round of Super 16

(Single elimination, best-of-seven-games match play. Losers eliminated, cash.

#5 Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, def.
#12 Chris Johnson ($5,500), Garland, Texas, 4-3
(235-201, 169-242, 219-218, 247-236, 254-269, 196-208, 300-254)

#4 Jeff Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio, def.
#20 Chris Warren ($5,200), Grants Pass, Ore, 4-3
(193-246, 197-202, 223-213, 220-214, 194-241, 267-188, 206-191)

#1 Doug Kent, Newark, N)

Y)

, def.
#16 Mike DeVaney ($4,800), Temecula, Calif)

, 4-2
(243-245, 201-189, 235-259, 235-190, 211-192, 223-213)

#25 Brad Angelo, Lockport, N)

Y)

, def.
#8 Todd Book ($4,000), Cantonment, Fla, 4-0
(248-245, 238-173, 196-189, 182-163)

#6 Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, def.
#38 Mike Edwards ($4,400), Tulsa, Okla)

, 4-0
(225-193, 246-193, 248-219, 248-243)

#3 Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md)

, def.
#35 Brian Voss ($4,200), Alpharetta, Ga)

, 4-0
(223-202, 224-206, 214-196, 247-221)

#2 Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas, def.
#15 Sean Rash ($5,000), Wichita, Kan, 4-3
(186-226, 240-240, 201-214, 245-210, 207-191, 256-189, 258-215)

#7 Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif)

, def.
#26 Tommy Jones ($4,600), Simpsonville, S)

C)

, 4-1
(198-193, 247-151, 225-220, 217-233, 255-163)

300 games (1) – Danny Wiseman.

Race for Denny's World Championship is heating up

Several prominent names continue their quest of being named champion of the 2007 Denny's World Championship, the third of four Majors on the 2006-07 Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour.

Friday morning's Round of 16 at Spectrum Lanes was quick for Brad Angelo (left, Lockport, N.Y.), who pulled off the round's only sweep, taking down Edward Van Daniker Jr. (Essex, Md.), four-games-to-none, to advance to face Todd Book (right, Cantonment, Fla.) in the Round of Super 16 beginning at 2 p.m. EST.

"Anytime I can win a quick match, I welcome it," said Angelo. "The lanes were a little different today, they seemed a little tighter to the right. I couldn't do the same things I did yesterday. I'm just going to try to keep up the success I've had in this tournament in the past. I've made the show twice and I seem to match up well on this pattern.

"Now that we are getting to the Super 16, some people might think that Todd Book's lack of experience benefits me, but he throws the ball too good for me to have an advantage," Angelo continued. "I bowled him in amateurs and he's a tough match."

Mike Edwards (left, Tulsa, Okla.) was perfect in his fourth game against Chris Loschetter (Avon, Ohio), picking up a 300-236 win followed by a fifth game that went to a four-ball roll-off that Edwards eventually won, 40-39.

Both bowlers struck with their first three balls in the extra frames before Loschetter left a 7-pin after Edwards had struck with his fourth. Edwards used the momentum to take the seventh game, 235-216, and advance to face Chris Barnes (right, Double Oak, Texas) in the Round of Super 16.

Chris Johnson's (left) match with Patrick Healey Jr. (Denton, Texas) had all the makings of the round's second sweep as Healey raced to a 3-0 lead. The momentum swung in Johnson's (Garland, Texas) way in the fourth game, as he posted a 256, his best total of the match, to Healey's 247.

Johnson went on to win the next three games, including a 210-209 win in the seventh game that came down to the final ball. After striking on five consecutive shots, Healey left a 6-7-10 split on his second shot in the 10th frame, opening the door for Johnson. The 2003-04 PBA Rookie of the Year opened the final frame with a spare before finishing with the strike to win the game and the match. Johnson will look to carry on his clutch bowling against another PBA veteran in Danny Wiseman (right, Baltimore, Md.).

Johnson and Healey's match wasn't the only match to feature seven games as three others went the distance.

Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (North Richland Hills, Texas), who was looking to take down another big name after upsetting Pete Weber, 4-1, in the Round of 32, fell to Tommy Jones (left) in a match that went back and forth with Jones winning the first game and trading punches with Dorin-Ballard before winning the final game.

Tony Reyes.jpg

Jones' next match will pit the 2005-06 PBA Player of the Year against Denny's teammate Tony Reyes (right, San Bruno, Calif.).

Two of the Tour's younger bowlers also went seven games, although it looked like it wouldn't last as long after Ronnie Russell (Indianapolis) took a 3-1 advantage over Sean Rash (left, Wichita, Kan.).

Rash ran off games of 288 and 277 in the next two games before finishing off Russell with 223-206 game-seven win. Rash will continue on to face 30-year old Wes Malott (right, Argyle, Texas).

Mike DeVaney.jpg

The final seventh-game match down between two bowlers who are both looking for their first title on the season.

After going down 3-2 to Brian Kretzer (Dayton, Ohio), Mike DeVaney (left, Temecula, Calif.) rattled off wins in the next two games to advance to face the tournament's No. 1 seed in Doug Kent (right, Newark, N.Y.).

Last week's Pepsi Championship winner, Norm Duke, jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead over Chris Warren (left, Grants Pass, Ore.). Warren regained his composure, however, to win the next four games and take the match, 4-2.

Duke, who posted scores of 257 and 246 in the first two games, did not top the 200 mark in his final four. Warren meets 4th seeded Jeff Lizzi (right, Sandusky, Ohio) in Round of Super 16.

The final match of the round featured Brian Voss (left, Alpharetta, Ga.) continuing his run to secure an exemption for the 2007-08 Tour via the PBA World Point Rankings. Voss, who entered the week 41st in the rankings, needed six games to dispatch of Ritchie Allen, 4-2.

The pivotal point of the match came in the third game when Allen (Columbia, S.C.) put together a string of five strikes, forcing Voss to double in the 10th. The PBA Hall of Famer did so to pick up the 211-208 win and a 2-1 advantage in the match before winning two of the next three and the match to advance to bowl #3 seed Tim Criss (right, Bel Air, Md).

The matches winners advance to the Super 16 at 2 p.m. EST with those winners advancing to the Round of 8 at 7 p.m.

The final four advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 2 p.m. EST at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Mich. The winner will take home $50,000 and a four-season exemption through the 2010-11 Denny's PBA Tour season.

ROUND OF 16

(Single elimination, best-of-seven-games match play. Losers eliminated, cash.

#15 Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, def.
#18 Ronnie Russell ($3,400), Indianapolis, 4-3
(206-196, 216-236, 216-222, 214-222, 288-224, 277-214, 223-206)

#26 Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., def.
#39 Carolyn DorinBallard ($3,300), N. Richland Hills, Texas, 4-3
(237-206, 225-227, 234-223, 205-231, 245-188, 215-247, 265-214)

#38 Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., def.
#22 Chris Loschetter ($3,100), Avon, Ohio, 4-2
(197-183, 227-258, 223-236, 300-236, 258-258, 235-216)

#35 Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., def.
#19 Ritchie Allen ($3,050), Columbia, S.C., 4-2
(259-200, 225-226, 211-208, 214-174, 224-247, 224-181)

#16 Mike DeVaney, Temecula, Calif., def.
#32 Brian Kretzer ($3,200), Dayton, Ohio, 4-3
(145-226, 246-198, 248-181, 229-241, 199-223, 232-207, 226-206)

#25 Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., def.
#40 Edward VanDaniker Jr ($3,000), Essex, Md, 4-0
(223-198, 204-200, 199-155, 225-188)

#20 Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, def.
#13 Norm Duke ($3,150), Clermont, FL, 4-2
(225-257, 204-246, 200-186, 191-191, 223-177, 192-187)

#12 Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, def.
#21 Patrick Healey Jr ($3,500), Denton, Texas, 4-3
(213-226, 194-279, 227-266, 256-247, 228-205, 226-174, 210-209)

300 games (1) – Mike Edwards.

Voss needs to get a lot of points to remain exempt next season

While he hasn’t had the type of year he is accustomed to and is in danger of not being exempt on the 2007-08 Denny’s Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour, PBA Hall of Famer Brian Voss (left) isn’t thinking of an exemption, instead focusing on winning his second career PBA Major.

Voss (Alpharetta, Ga.), who was 41st in the PBA World Point Rankings entering the Denny’s World Championship at Spectrum Lanes and needs to get to at least 39th to remain exempt next season, advanced from Thursday night’s Round of 32, sweeping Jack Jurek (Lackawanna, N.Y.), four-games-to-none.

“I’ve been hurt all year so I haven’t been able to practice as much as I want to or really get anything going,” said Voss, who qualified 35th for the event’s best-of-seven match play which gives the top eight qualifiers a bye for the first two rounds. “I’m really not thinking about an exemption for next year, I’m just trying to win a Major. There are two left and I want to win one. That’s it, very plain and very simple. I’m not thinking about the future, I’m just thinking about the current tournament.”

Voss advances to face No. 19 Ritchie Allen (Columbia, S.C.), who knocked off PBA Hall of Famer Walter Ray Williams Jr. (Ocala, Fla.), 4-3.

Two other bowlers advanced from Thursday’s night action via the sweep. No. 13 Norm Duke (left, Clermont, Fla.), who won last week’s 2007 Pepsi Championship, knocked off No. 36 Eddie Graham (Centerville, Ohio), while 2003-04 PBA Rookie of the Year No. 12 Chris Johnson (Garland, Texas) took down No. 37 Jimmy Levendosky (Hudsonville, Mich.).

Duke will face No. 20 Chris Warren (Grants Pass, Ore.) in the Round of 16 while Johnson will take on No. 21 Patrick Healey Jr. (Denton, Texas).

The top two seeds in the Round of 32 were upset as No. 9 Mike Scroggins (left, Amarillo, Texas) fell to No. 40 Edward Van Daniker Jr. (Essex, Md.), 4-2, while No. 10 Pete Weber (right, St. Ann, Mo.) was upset by No. 39 Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (North Richland Hills, Texas), 4-1.

Van Daniker matches up with No. 25 Brad Angelo (Lockport, N.Y.) in the Round of 16 and Dorin-Ballard takes on No. 26 2005-06 PBA Player of the Year Tommy Jones (Simpsonville, S.C.), who needed seven games to knock off Troy Wollenbecker (Toledo, Ohio).

Thursday night’s winners advance to Friday’s Round of 16 which begins at 9 a.m. EST. Round of 16 winners will move on to face the top eight qualifiers in the Super 16 with those winners advancing to the Round of 8.

The final four advance to Sunday’s live ESPN televised finals at 2 p.m. EST at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Mich. The winner will take home $50,000 and a four-season exemption through the 2010-11 Denny’s PBA Tour season.

ROUND OF 32

(Single elimination, best-of-seven-games match play. Losers eliminated, cash.

#40 Edward VanDaniker Jr, Essex, Md, def.
#9 Mike Scroggins $2,270, Amarillo, Texas, 4-2
(190-169, 224-198, 235-248, 215-178, 183-269, 215-169)

#25 Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., def.
#24 Michael Fagan $2,150, Greenlawn, N.Y., 4-1
(231-205, 257-236, 246-231, 193-227, 236-232)

#32 Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, def.
#17 Ryan Shafer $2,120, Horseheads, N.Y., 4-1
(211-248, 278-230, 211-200, 234-201, 219-214)

#16 Mike DeVaney, Temecula, Calif., def.
#33 Michael Haugen Jr $2,350, Cave Creek, Ariz., 4-3
(151-202, 239-201, 234-234, 201-179, 258-266, 185-237, 237-193)

#13 Norm Duke, Clermont, FL, def.
#36 Eddie Graham $2,020, Centerville, Ohio, 4-0
(235-202, 227-214, 233-182, 270-255)

#20 Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, def.
#29 Jeff Fehr $2,060, Cincinnati, 4-1
(237-171, 244-216, 169-184, 224-194, 216-208)

#21 Patrick Healey Jr, Denton, Texas, def.
#28 Tom Baker $2,210, King, N.C., 4-2
(201-213, 221-200, 246-186, 221-224, 224-215, 237-195)

#12 Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, def.
#37 Jimmy Levendosky $2,000, Hudsonville, Mich., 4-0
(257-211, 210-194, 244-216, 225-186)

#39 Carolyn DorinBallard, N. Richland Hills, Texas, def.
#10 Pete Weber $2,180, St. Ann, Mo., 4-1
(247-279, 235-226, 239-232, 243-231, 258-198)

#26 Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., def.
#23 Troy Wollenbecker $2,450, Toledo, Ohio, 4-3
(214-226, 234-232, 201-230, 167-255, 235-231, 248-191, 225-212)

#18 Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, def.
#31 Jeff Carter $2,240, Springfield, IL, 4-2
(196-224, 255-206, 194-198, 248-245, 237-235, 258-222)

#15 Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, def.
#34 Brian LeClair $2,090, Athens, N.Y., 4-1
(247-207, 243-220, 217-182, 191-197, 257-224)

#35 Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., def.
#14 Jack Jurek $2,040, Lackawanna, N.Y., 4-0
(211-187, 168-161, 258-218, 192-165)

#19 Ritchie Allen, Columbia, S.C., def.
#30 Walter Ray Williams Jr $2,300, Ocala, Fla., 4-3
(224-194, 259-189, 230-254, 181-183, 255-229, 220-227, 275-189)

#22 Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, def.
#27 Eugene McCune $2,400, Munster, Ind., 4-3
(172-248, 235-237, 204-269, 214-196, 215-208, 259-204, 225-225)

#38 Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., def.
#11 Patrick Allen $2,500, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 4-3
(172-194, 237-159, 194-278, 246-208, 228-205, 221-257, 247-206)

Kent finishes qualifying in the top spot in Denny's World Championship

Doug Kent will look to do something that has only been accomplished five times in Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour history after finishing qualifying in the top spot in the 2007 Denny's World Championship at Spectrum Lanes.

Kent, who won the season-opening 2006 United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Masters (pictured left lifting the trophy) for his second career Major title, will look to become the sixth bowler all-time and the first since Walter Ray Williams Jr. in 2002-03 to win two Majors in a season. The eight-time Denny's PBA Tour titlist finished qualifying with a 6,296 27-game pinfall, averaging 233.19 to earn one of eight byes through the first two rounds of match play.

Kent has had past success in the World Championship, winning his first career Major in the 2002 PBA World Championship.

"There's something about the Majors I just get up for and go into a different frame of mind," Kent (Newark, N.Y.) said. "I don't necessarily try harder, I just focus a little more. It's very rewarding. It's hard to win any of the tournaments out here let alone the Majors."

Kent came out of the gates fast on Thursday, starting the day seventh but firing games of 247, 278 and 257 to take the lead. He had a low game of 233 in the nine-game block Thursday, averaging 248.67.

"I just had a look that was unbelievable," Kent said. "If I got it a little right it rolled back and if it got left it laid there. You add a little carry with that and you get a lot of 240s."

Wes Malott (Argyle, Texas), one of several bowlers in the running for 2006-07 PBA Player of the Year award, finished second with 6,191. Tim Criss (Bel Air, Md.) finished third, Jeff Lizzi (Sandusky, Ohio) was fourth and Danny Wiseman (Baltimore) was fifth.

Also earning byes into Friday's Round of Super 16 were Chris Barnes (Double Oak, Texas), Tony Reyes (San Bruno, Calif.) and Todd Book (Cantonmemt, Fla.).

The top 40 advanced to single elimination match play which gets underway tonight at 6 p.m. EST with the Round of 32. The winners move on to the Round of 16 Friday morning with those winners moving on to the Round of Super 16, where they will face the top eight from qualifying.

Edward VanDaniker Jr., a 21-year-old from Essex, Md., earned the final spot in match play, finishing 40th with 5,729. Just ahead of VanDaniker was Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (N. Richland Hills, Texas), who finished 39th with 5,738 and became the first woman to make match play in a PBA World Championship.

The final four advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 2 p.m. EST at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Mich. The winner will take home $50,000 and a four-season exemption through the 2010-11 Denny's PBA Tour season.

Round Four Qualifying

Players with position, hometown and 18-game total. Top 50 advance and cash. Positions 41-50 cash.

1, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 6,296
2, Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas, 6,191
3, Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 6,133
4, Jeff Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio, 6,127
5, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 6,124
6, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 6,094
6, Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 6,094
8, Todd Book, Cantonment, Fla., 6,064
The top eight after qualifying earn a bye into Friday's Round of Super 16.

9, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 6,052
10, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 6,034
11, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 6,024
12, Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, 6,019
13, Norm Duke, Clermont, FL, 6,018
14, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 6,005
15, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, 5,971
16, Mike DeVaney, Temecula, Calif., 5,955
17, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 5,945
18, Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, 5,929
19, Ritchie Allen, Columbia, S.C., 5,928
19, Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, 5,928
21, Patrick Healey Jr., Denton, Texas, 5,920
21, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 5,920
23, Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 5,915
24, Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., 5,908
25, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 5,882
26, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 5,859
27, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 5,854
28, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 5,846
29, Jeff Fehr, Cincinnati, 5,844
30, Walter Ray Williams Jr, Ocala, Fla., 5,828
31, Jeff Carter, Springfield, IL, 5,822
32, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 5,819
33, Michael Haugen Jr, Cave Creek, Ariz., 5,811
34, Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 5,798
35, Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 5,796
36, Eddie Graham, Centerville, Ohio, 5,778
37, Jimmy Levendosky, Hudsonville, Mich., 5,763
38, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 5,744
39, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas, 5,738
40, Edward VanDaniker Jr, Essex, Md., 5,729

Missed Cut:
41, Chad Kloss, Greenfield, Wis., 5,721, $1,500
42, Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 5,718, $1,480
43, Del Ballard Jr, N. Richland Hills, Texas, 5,706, $1,460
44, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 5,698, $1,440
45, Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan., 5,687, $1,420
46, Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, 5,655, $1,400
47, James Wallace, Hicksville, N.Y., 5,653, $1,380
48, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 5,649, $1,360
49, Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 5,637, $1,340
50, DJ Archer, Mineral Wells, Texas, 5,588, $1,320

300 games (1) – Tony Reyes.

Criss takes big step toward securing a spot on PBA Tour for next season

Coming into this week, Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour veteran Tim Criss was staring down the end of his 15-year career. At 39th in the PBA World Point Rankings, he needs a strong performance to regain an exemption for the 2006-07 season.

Criss rose to the occasion Wednesday, taking a big step toward securing a spot on Tour for at least one more season, taking the lead after three rounds of qualifying in the 2007 Denny's World Championship, the third of four Majors on the 2006-07 Denny's PBA Tour schedule. Criss finished with a 4,154 18-game pinfall, good for a 230.78 average.

The top 39 in the PBA World Point Rankings earn exemptions for next season and Criss came into the week 39th. The five-time titlist was fifth after Tuesday's second round, but averaged 236.83 over his six games on Wednesday, including a 279 in game five.

"My 'A' game matches up really well with what's out there on the lanes this week. I just need to take advantage of this week and continue to play my game," Criss (Bel Air, Md.) said. "With this week's pattern, I'm able to slow my ball down and tilt the ball. I'm able to open up my angles which it seems like you don't get to do too often on the standard PBA oil patterns."

Finishing second was Jeff Lizzi (Sandusky, Ohio) with 4,100 followed by 11-time Denny's PBA Tour titlist Danny Wiseman (left, Baltimore, Md.) with 4,099. The 2005 Denny's World Championship runner-up Chris Loschetter (Avon, Ohio) and five-time titlist Chris Warren (right, Grants Pass, Ore.) round out the top five.

The top three candidates for 2006-07 PBA Player of the Year are all in the running to earn one of eight byes into Friday's Round of Super 16. Pete Weber (left, St. Ann, Mo.) is 10th with 4,041, Wes Malott (right, Argyle, Texas) is 13th with 4,010 and Norm Duke (Clermont, Fla.) is 18th with 3,960.

Malott and Weber sit 1-2 in the PBA World Point Rankings while Duke (left) has won a Tour-high three titles this season, including last week's Pepsi Championship.

Local favorite Jimmy Levendosky (Hudsonville, Mich.) excited the crowd by doubling in the 10th in the final game to finish with 3,778 and earn one of the final two spots in Thursday's fourth round. Levendosky was 51st heading into the final game but fired a 211 to finish 49th.

Michael Fagan (right) finished 50th to earn the final spot in the cashers' round.

The top 50 advance to Thursday's final Round of qualifying, after which the field will be cut to the top 40 for single elimination match which starts Thursday night. The top eight after qualifying earn a bye into Friday's Round of Super 16.

The final four advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 2 p.m. EST at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Mich. The winner will take home $50,000 and a four-season exemption through the 2010-11 Denny's PBA Tour season.

Round Three Qualifying

Players with position, hometown and 18-game total. Top 50 advance and cash.

1, Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 4,154
2, Jeff Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio, 4,100
3, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 4,099
4, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 4,086
5, Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, 4,080
6, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 4,065
7, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 4,058
8, Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 4,055
9, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 4,051
10, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 4,041
11, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 4,034
12, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 4,017
13, Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas, 4,010
14, Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 3,986
15, Todd Book, Cantonment, Fla., 3,975
15, Jeff Fehr, Cincinnati, 3,975
17, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 3,960
17, Norm Duke, Clermont, FL, 3,960
19, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 3,959
20, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, 3,947
21, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 3,944
21, Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, 3,944
23, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 3,933
24, Eddie Graham, Centerville, Ohio, 3,923
24, Mike DeVaney, Temecula, Calif., 3,923
26, Michael Haugen Jr., Cave Creek, Ariz., 3,904
27, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas, 3,891
27, Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 3,891
29, Patrick Healey Jr, Denton, Texas, 3,886
30, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 3,885
31, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 3,883
32, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 3,879
33, James Wallace, Hicksville, N.Y., 3,868
34, Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, 3,866
35, Ritchie Allen, Columbia, S.C., 3,863
36, Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 3,858
37, Jeff Carter, Springfield, IL, 3,851
38, Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, 3,843
39, Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan., 3,830
40, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 3,819
41, Chad Kloss, Greenfield, Wis., 3,818
42, Del Ballard Jr., N. Richland Hills, Texas, 3,815
43, Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 3,810
44, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 3,798
45, Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 3,797
46, DJ Archer, Mineral Wells, Texas, 3,780
47, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 3,779
48, Edward VanDaniker Jr., Essex, Md., 3,778
48, Jimmy Levendosky, Hudsonville, Mich., 3,778
50, Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., 3,774

Missed Cut:
51, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 3,767
52, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 3,763
53, Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 3,759
54, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 3,755
55, Thomas Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., 3,750
56, Robert Bailey, Doylestown, Ohio, 3,749
57, David Traber, Hebron, Ill., 3,748
57, Bruce Falcon, Bay City, Mich., 3,748
59, Lee Vanderhoef, Greenville, S.C., 3,744
60, Jim Pratt, Youngtown, AZ, 3,728
61, Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 3,723
62, Tommy Delutz Jr, Flushing, N.Y., 3,718
63, Dave D'Entremont, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, 3,714
64, Ricky Jewell Jr, Greenville, S.C., 3,710
65, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 3,708
66, Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., 3,707
67, Jonathan Van Hees, Providence, R.I., 3,706
67, Walter Schaub II, Schaumburg, Ill., 3,706
69, Roger Kossert, Lithia, 3,702
70, Richard Horodecki Jr, Jackson, Mich., 3,699
71, John Slavich IV, Schaumburg, Ill., 3,695
72, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 3,694
73, Mike Mineman, Belleville, Ill., 3,691
74, Dave Arnold, Dublin, Calif., 3,690
75, Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., 3,689
76, Bo Goergen, Midland, Mich., 3,686
77, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 3,681
78, Jason Francis, Macomb Township, Mich., 3,679
78, Robert Lawrence, Austin, Texas, 3,679
80, Richard Wolfe, Vienna, Va., 3,670
81, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 3,657
82, Michelle Feldman, Skaneateles, N.Y., 3,655
82, Marv Sargent, Temecula, Calif., 3,655
84, Brandon Harris, Akron, Ohio, 3,652
85, Ward Rauch, Cheboygan, Mich., 3,650
85, Rick Lawrence, Celina, Texas, 3,650
87, Jack Laffey, Indianapolis, 3,647
87, Kenneth Jessee, Huber Heights, Ohio, 3,647
89, Jason Harmsen, Jenison, Mich., 3,644
90, Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., 3,639
91, Michael Henry, Brunswick, Ohio, 3,625
91, Anthony Moses, Dearborn Heights, Mich., 3,625
93, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 3,622
93, Andrew Cain, Scottsdale, Ariz., 3,622
95, Steve Weber, Chalmette, La, 3,621
96, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 3,609
97, Andrew Horodecki, Jackson, Mich., 3,608
98, Kurt Lambert, Saginaw, Mich., 3,603
99, Scott Weston, Auburn, Mich., 3,600
100, Adam Monks, Oakland, N.J., 3,598
101, David Covington, Holland, Mich., 3,592
102, Brian Menini, Brookfield, Mo., 3,588
103, Larry Verble, Greenville, Pa., 3,580
104, Brian Waliczek, Birch Run, Mich., 3,579
105, Chris Monroy, Holden, Mass., 3,572
105, Rudy Kasimakis, Tupelo, Miss., 3,572
107, YonGyo Phark, Flushing, N.Y., 3,567
108, George Haley, Baytown, Texas, 3,559
109, Robert Volk, E Setauket, N.Y., 3,550
110, John Touhey, Moraine, Ohio, 3,541
111, Tom Hinz, Joliet, Ill., 3,532
112, Christopher Wood, North Haven, Conn., 3,526
113, Kenneth Lowe Jr, Oxon Hill, MD, 3,524
114, Billy Oatman, Chicago, 3,506
115, Matthew Zasowski, Buffalo, N.Y., 3,504
115, Terry Metzner, Kentwood, Mich., 3,504
117, Jim Tomek Jr, Camp Hill, Pa., 3,488
118, Mike Eaton Jr, Wyoming, Mich., 3,486
119, Kevin Pollock, Holland, Mich., 3,468
120, Michael Ragon, Marion, Ind., 3,466
121, Brandon Balsis, Tinley Park, Ill, 3,455
121, Jeffrey Scott, Rochester, N.Y., 3,455
123, Matt Freiberg, Somerset, N.J., 3,449
124, Gary Zwiezinski, Elyria, Ohio, 3,442
125, Brian Lake, Warren, Mich., 3,434
126, Peter Zmozynski, Depew, N.Y., 3,418
126, Gregory Thompson Jr, Dayton, Ohio, 3,418
128, Malcolm Sanders, Taylors, S.C., 3,414
129, Jeffrey Thomas, Indianapolis, 3,403
130, Alex Medveditskov, St. Petersburg, Russia, 3,398
131, Bill Roman, Rockford, Ill, 3,396
132, Dennis Weatherman, Coloma, Mich., 3,381
133, Ryan Geary, New Haven, Mich., 3,340
134, Tom Seliger, Highland, Ind., 3,338
135, Eric Aquila, Indianapolis, 3,330
136, Terry Little, Hampton, Va., 3,299
137, Gregg Parrish, Palatine, Ill, 3,270
138, Richard Arlesic, Geneva, Ohio, 3,259
139, Aaron Gull, Comstock Park, Mich., 3,257
140, Bryan Paul, Brooklyn, N.Y., 3,247
141, Frank Ensweiler, Lowell, Ind., 3,233
142, Steve Merten, Wills Pt., Texas, 3,214
143, Ike Brownfield, Lowell, Ind., 3,208
144, Derek TenBrink, Muskegon, Mich., 3,176
145, Richard Kawalick, Ridgewood, N.Y., 3,105
146, David Rosengarten, Gardendale, Ala, 3,085
147, Dale Warehime, Taneytown, Md., 3,050
148, Mike Monroe, Otter Lake, Mich., 2,963
149, John May, Iron Station, NC, 2,098
150, Jimmy Johnson, Pataskala, Ohio, 1,086

300 games (1) – Brad Angelo.

Weber continues to lead after two days of qualifying in the Denny's World Championship

Pete Weber (left) has two goals in mind at the 2007 Denny's World Championship at Spectrum Lanes. The first, finish in the top eight of the event's qualifying to gain a bye past the first two rounds of match play. The second, and much larger goal, to win the 2006-07 Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Player of the Year award.

The 34-time titlist and PBA Hall of Famer is putting himself on track to reach both goals after two days of qualifying at the third of four Majors on the 2006-07 Denny's PBA Tour. Weber (St. Ann, Mo.) leads the 150-bowler field with a 12-game pinfall of 1,330.

After leading his closest competitor, Troy Wollenbecker (Toledo, Ohio), by 29 pins after Monday's first Round of qualifying, Weber's lead was closed by the field, with second place Chris Loschetter (right, Avon, Ohio) just 10 pins behind.

"Everybody closed the gap. I didn't do anything different. To me, I bowled just as well tonight as I did yesterday morning. I just didn't score as well," said Weber. "I just want to be one of the top eight so I can get a bye out of the first two rounds of match play. Total pins this week mean nothing since it's a best-of-seven format in match play."

Weber briefly trailed Loschetter entering Tuesday night's final game after throwing a 190 and 214 in games in four and five before rebounding with a 226 in the final game to jump Loschetter who was fourth entering Tuesday and finished with games of 256, 238 and 211 in his final three games.

Ronnie Russell (left, Indianapolis) is in third with 2,745 while Mike Scroggins (right, Amarillo, Texas) rounds out the top four with 2,737.

All 150 bowlers return Wednesday evening for another six games at 8 a.m. EST. The field will then be cut to the top 50 who bowl nine additional games on Thursday. The top 40 advance to match play with the top eight earning byes into Friday's Round of Super 16.

The final four advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 2 p.m. EST at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Mich. The winner will take home $50,000 and a four-season exemption through the 2010-11 Denny's PBA Tour season.

Round Two Qualifying

Players with position, hometown and 12-game total

1, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 2,775
2, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 2,765
3, Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, 2,745
4, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 2,737
5, Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 2,733
6, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 2,728
7, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 2,725
8, Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 2,710
9, Jeff Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio, 2,692
10, Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 2,672
10, Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas, 2,672
12, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, 2,661
13, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 2,657
14, Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, 2,645
15, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 2,642
16, Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, 2,637
17, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 2,636
18, Jeff Fehr, Cincinnati, 2,633
19, Patrick Healey Jr., Denton, Texas, 2,632
20, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 2,624
21, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 2,614
22, Norm Duke, Clermont, FL, 2,610
23, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 2,607
24, Mike DeVaney, Temecula, Calif., 2,597
25, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 2,593
26, Jeff Carter, Springfield, IL, 2,590
27, Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 2,583
28, Eddie Graham, Centerville, Ohio, 2,577
29, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 2,575
30, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 2,574
31, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas, 2,569
32, Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., 2,567
33, DJ Archer, Mineral Wells, Texas, 2,562
33, Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 2,562
33, Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 2,562
36, Chad Kloss, Greenfield, Wis., 2,560
37, Todd Book, Cantonment, Fla., 2,552
38, Ricky Jewell JR, Greenville, S.C., 2,547
39, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 2,543
40, Ritchie Allen, Columbia, S.C., 2,541
41, Robert Bailey, Doylestown, Ohio, 2,539
42, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 2,538
42, Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 2,538
44, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 2,537
45, Jimmy Levendosky, Hudsonville, Mich., 2,536
46, Michael Haugen Jr., Cave Creek, Ariz., 2,535
47, Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan., 2,531
48, Jim Pratt, Youngtown, AZ, 2,525
49, Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, 2,516
49, John Slavich IV, Schaumburg, Ill., 2,516
51, Walter Schaub II, Schaumburg, Ill., 2,513
52, James Wallace, Hicksville, N.Y., 2,510
53, Tommy Delutz Jr., Flushing, N.Y., 2,508
54, Del Ballard Jr., N. Richland Hills, Texas, 2,507
55, David Covington, Holland, Mich., 2,491
56, Robert Lawrence, Austin, Texas, 2,490
57, Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 2,486
58, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 2,479
59, Kenneth Jessee, Huber Heights, Ohio, 2,478
60, Billy Oatman, Chicago, 2,474
60, Dave Arnold, Dublin, Calif., 2,474
62, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 2,471
63, Jason Harmsen, Jenison, Mich., 2,468
64, Bruce Falcon, Bay City, Mich., 2,464
65, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 2,461
66, Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., 2,460
67, David Traber, Hebron, Ill., 2,458
68, Dave D'Entremont, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, 2,456
69, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 2,449
70, Adam Monks, Oakland, N.J., 2,445
71, Thomas Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., 2,442
72, Mike Mineman, Belleville, Ill., 2,439
73, Rick Lawrence, Celina, Texas, 2,434
74, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 2,433
75, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 2,430
76, Matt Freiberg, Somerset, N.J., 2,429
77, Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 2,421
78, Edward VanDaniker Jr., Essex, Md., 2,418
78, Marv Sargent, Temecula, Calif., 2,418
80, Kurt Lambert, Saginaw, Mich., 2,414
81, Richard Horodecki Jr., Jackson, Mich., 2,412
82, Andrew Cain, Scottsdale, Ariz., 2,409
83, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 2,406
84, Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., 2,405
85, George Haley, Baytown, Texas, 2,402
86, Jim Tomek Jr., Camp Hill, Pa., 2,395
86, Brian Waliczek, Birch Run, Mich., 2,395
88, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 2,393
89, Scott Weston, Auburn, Mich., 2,392
90, Steve Weber, Chalmette, La, 2,385
91, Richard Wolfe, Vienna, Va., 2,384
92, Anthony Moses, Dearborn Heights, Mich., 2,378
92, Jonathan Van Hees, Providence, R.I., 2,378
94, Dennis Weatherman, Coloma, Mich., 2,377
95, Rudy Kasimakis, Tupelo, Miss., 2,372
96, Andrew Horodecki, Jackson, Mich., 2,370
97, Brandon Harris, Akron, Ohio, 2,366
98, Larry Verble, Greenville, Pa., 2,357
99, Michael Henry, Brunswick, Ohio, 2,354
100, Gregory Thompson Jr., Dayton, Ohio, 2,353
101, Bo Goergen, Midland, Mich., 2,352
102, Ward Rauch, Cheboygan, Mich., 2,346
103, Roger Kossert, Lithia, 2,341
104, Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., 2,340
105, Lee Vanderhoef, Greenville, S.C., 2,336
106, Peter Zmozynski, Depew, N.Y., 2,334
107, Mike Eaton JR, Wyoming, Mich., 2,330
108, Tom Hinz, Joliet, Ill., 2,329
109, Kevin Pollock, Holland, Mich., 2,327
110, Alex Medveditskov, St. Petersburg, Russia, 2,324
111, Chris Monroy, Holden, Mass., 2,321
112, Jason Francis, Macomb Township, Mich., 2,316
113, Jeffrey Scott, Rochester, N.Y., 2,308
114, Brian Lake, Warren, Mich., 2,291
114, Terry Metzner, Kentwood, Mich., 2,291
114, Jack Laffey, Indianapolis, 2,291
117, Christopher Wood, North Haven, Conn., 2,289
117, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 2,289
119, Kenneth Lowe Jr., Oxon Hill, MD, 2,288
120, Robert Volk, E Setauket, N.Y., 2,279
121, John Touhey, Moraine, Ohio, 2,276
122, Michelle Feldman, Skaneateles, N.Y., 2,271
123, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 2,258
124, Matthew Zasowski, Buffalo, N.Y., 2,256
125, Michael Ragon, Marion, Ind., 2,255
125, YonGyo Phark, Flushing, N.Y., 2,255
127, Brian Menini, Brookfield, Mo., 2,247
128, Gary Zwiezinski, Elyria, Ohio, 2,233
128, Bill Roman, Rockford, Ill, 2,233
130, Brandon Balsis, Tinley Park, Ill, 2,230
131, Jeffrey Thomas, Indianapolis, 2,226
132, Ryan Geary, New Haven, Mich., 2,221
133, Eric Aquila, Indianapolis, 2,171
134, Derek TenBrink, Muskegon, Mich., 2,158
135, Steve Merten, Wills Pt., Texas, 2,156
136, Malcolm Sanders, Taylors, S.C., 2,154
137, Tom Seliger, Highland, Ind., 2,145
138, Gregg Parrish, Palatine, Ill, 2,142
139, Frank Ensweiler, Lowell, Ind., 2,134
140, Bryan Paul, Brooklyn, N.Y., 2,088
141, Terry Little, Hampton, Va., 2,085
142, Ike Brownfield, Lowell, Ind., 2,069
143, Richard Arlesic, Geneva, Ohio, 2,067
144, Aaron Gull, Comstock Park, Mich., 2,065
144, Richard Kawalick, Ridgewood, N.Y., 2,065
146, Dale Warehime, Taneytown, Md., 2,024
147, David Rosengarten, Gardendale, Ala, 1,985
148, Mike Monroe, Otter Lake, Mich., 1,939
149, John May, Iron Station, NC, 2,098
150, Jimmy Johnson, Pataskala, Ohio, 1,086

300 Games – None.

Weber takes lead after Round One in Denny's World Championship

With the first Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Player of the Year award of his Hall of Fame career in sight, Pete Weber isn’t leaving anything on the lanes this week.

Weber took the lead after day one of the 2007 Denny’s World Championship at Spectrum Lanes Monday, the third of four Majors on the 2006-07 schedule. He finished with a 1,445 six-game pinfall, good for a 240.83 average to lead the 150-bowler field.

With two titles this season, including the 64th U.S. Open two weeks ago, Weber is one of the front-runners to win the coveted award, which the 34-time Denny’s PBA Tour titlist surprisingly has never won in his career. He looked to be the front runner after winning the U.S. Open – the season’s second Major – but Norm Duke emerged as a threat by winning his third title of the season in last week’s Pepsi Championship.

“I want to be Player of the Year and if I want to do that I have to win another Major,” said Weber (St. Ann, Mo.). “I still think I’m the front runner. It’s great what Norm has done but since he’s missed seven events I think I have a slight edge.”

Weber was referring to Duke having withdrawn from seven events earlier this season due to a broken toe. He has rebounded in his three events since returning with 11th, fifth and first-place finishes.

On Monday, Weber took a couple games to get in a groove before blowing past the field. After averaging 210.33 over the first three games, Weber switched balls and fired a 290 in game four. He closed out the round with games of 256 and 268 to take the lead.

“I made a ball change from a weak ball to a stronger ball and that gave me a little more hook on the back end, and with my side roll that really helped out to where guys were going light, light, light and I was not going light,” said Weber. “I just found the strike zone and that is the key, to take advantage of pairs you can get and grind out the ones you can’t.”

Finishing the first day in second was Troy Wollenbecker with 1,416. Wollenbecker (Toledo, Ohio) is one of several bowlers in the running for an exemption for 2007-08 as the high non-exempt bowler in the PBA World Point Rankings.

A trio of exempt bowlers follow Wollenbecker as Brian LeClair (Athens, N.Y.) is third with 1,400, 2005 Denny’s World Championship runner-up Chris Loschetter (Avon, Ohio) is third with 1,397 and PBA Hall of Famer Brian Voss (Alpharetta, Ga.) is fifth with 1,390.

All 150 bowlers return Tuesday for another six games, followed by six more games on Wednesday. The field will then be cut to the top 50 who will bowl nine additional games on Thursday. The top 40 advance to match play with the top eight earning byes into Friday’s Round of Super 16.

The final four advance to Sunday’s live ESPN televised finals at 2 p.m. EST at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Mich. The winner will take home $50,000 and a four-season exemption through the 2010-11 Denny’s PBA Tour season.

Round One Qualifying

Players with position, hometown and six-game total

1, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 1,445
2, Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 1,416
3, Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 1,400
4, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 1,397
5, Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 1,390
6, Jeff Fehr, Cincinnati, 1,378
7, Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, 1,370
8, Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., 1,363
9, Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, 1,362
10, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 1,361
11, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 1,359
12, Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, 1,351
13, Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 1,345
14, Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas, 1,340
15, Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 1,332
15, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 1,332
17, Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 1,327
18, Patrick Healey Jr., Denton, Texas, 1,321
19, DJ Archer, Mineral Wells, Texas, 1,318
20, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 1,317
21, Jimmy Levendosky, Hudsonville, Mich., 1,315
22, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 1,311
23, Robert Lawrence, Austin, Texas, 1,306
24, Adam Monks, Oakland, N.J., 1,305
25, Ricky Jewell Jr., Greenville, S.C., 1,304
25, Chad Kloss, Greenfield, Wis., 1,304
27, Robert Bailey, Doylestown, Ohio, 1,303
28, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 1,301
28, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 1,301
30, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 1,299
31, Eddie Graham, Centerville, Ohio, 1,297
32, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 1,295
32, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 1,295
34, Jeff Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio, 1,293
35, John Slavich IV, Schaumburg, Ill., 1,290
36, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 1,287
36, Walter Schaub II, Schaumburg, Ill., 1,287
36, Norm Duke, Clermont, FL, 1,287
39, Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 1,282
40, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas, 1,280
40, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 1,280
40, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 1,280
43, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 1,278
44, Dave Arnold, Dublin, Calif., 1,274
44, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 1,274
46, Mike DeVaney, Temecula, Calif., 1,272
47, Ritchie Allen, Columbia, S.C., 1,270
48, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, 1,269
49, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 1,267
50, Jeff Carter, Springfield, IL, 1,262
50, Jonathan Van Hees, Providence, R.I., 1,262
52, Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., 1,259
52, Marv Sargent, Temecula, Calif., 1,259
54, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 1,258
55, James Wallace, Hicksville, N.Y., 1,254
56, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 1,253
57, Dave D'Entremont, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, 1,251
58, Tommy Delutz Jr., Flushing, N.Y., 1,248
59, Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan., 1,246
60, Gregory Thompson Jr., Dayton, Ohio, 1,245
61, Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, 1,244
62, Del Ballard Jr., N. Richland Hills, Texas, 1,243
63, Michael Haugen Jr., Cave Creek, Ariz., 1,238
64, David Covington, Holland, Mich., 1,237
65, Bo Goergen, Midland, Mich., 1,235
66, Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 1,233
66, Jason Harmsen, Jenison, Mich., 1,233
68, Richard Horodecki Jr., Jackson, Mich., 1,232
69, Bruce Falcon, Bay City, Mich., 1,227
69, Kevin Pollock, Holland, Mich., 1,227
71, Todd Book, Cantonment, Fla., 1,223
72, Kurt Lambert, Saginaw, Mich., 1,222
72, Brian Waliczek, Birch Run, Mich., 1,222
72, Thomas Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., 1,222
75, Rudy Kasimakis, Tupelo, Miss., 1,221
75, Mike Eaton Jr., Wyoming, Mich., 1,221
77, Rick Lawrence, Celina, Texas, 1,220
78, Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 1,219
79, Kenneth Jessee, Huber Heights, Ohio, 1,217
80, Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., 1,213
81, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 1,210
82, Matthew Zasowski, Buffalo, N.Y., 1,208
83, Scott Weston, Auburn, Mich., 1,206
84, David Traber, Hebron, Ill., 1,205
85, Michael Henry, Brunswick, Ohio, 1,203
86, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 1,201
87, Billy Oatman, Chicago, 1,200
88, Peter Zmozynski, Depew, N.Y., 1,197
89, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 1,196
89, Mike Mineman, Belleville, Ill., 1,196
91, John May, Iron Station, NC, 1,195
92, Jim Tomek Jr., Camp Hill, Pa., 1,193
93, George Haley, Baytown, Texas, 1,192
94, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 1,191
95, Edward VanDaniker Jr., Essex, Md., 1,189
96, Steve Weber, Chalmette, La, 1,180
97, YonGyo Phark, Flushing, N.Y., 1,171
98, Jim Pratt, Youngtown, AZ, 1,167
98, Lee Vanderhoef, Greenville, S.C., 1,167
100, Ward Rauch, Cheboygan, Mich., 1,163
101, Larry Verble, Greenville, Pa., 1,162
102, Matt Freiberg, Somerset, N.J., 1,160
103, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 1,157
104, Michael Ragon, Marion, Ind., 1,156
105, Anthony Moses, Dearborn Heights, Mich., 1,153
105, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 1,153
107, Brandon Harris, Akron, Ohio, 1,152
108, Dennis Weatherman, Coloma, Mich., 1,149
109, Andrew Cain, Scottsdale, Ariz., 1,142
110, Alex Medveditskov, St. Petersburg, Russia, 1,141
111, Jason Francis, Macomb Township, Mich., 1,139
112, Bill Roman, Rockford, Ill, 1,138
113, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 1,136
114, Eric Aquila, Indianapolis, 1,135
115, Richard Wolfe, Vienna, Va., 1,134
116, Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., 1,129
117, Gary Zwiezinski, Elyria, Ohio, 1,127
117, Jack Laffey, Indianapolis, 1,127
119, John Touhey, Moraine, Ohio, 1,123
120, Chris Monroy, Holden, Mass., 1,116
121, Richard Kawalick, Ridgewood, N.Y., 1,115
121, Michelle Feldman, Skaneateles, N.Y., 1,115
123, Roger Kossert, Lithia, 1,111
124, Malcolm Sanders, Taylors, S.C., 1,105
125, Andrew Horodecki, Jackson, Mich., 1,103
126, Terry Metzner, Kentwood, Mich., 1,101
127, Kenneth Lowe Jr., Oxon Hill, Md., 1,098
128, Tom Hinz, Joliet, Ill., 1,090
129, Jimmy Johnson, Pataskala, Ohio, 1,086
130, Brandon Balsis, Tinley Park, Ill, 1,082
131, Frank Ensweiler, Lowell, Ind., 1,080
131, Tom Seliger, Highland, Ind., 1,080
131, Brian Lake, Warren, Mich., 1,080
134, Jeffrey Scott, Rochester, N.Y., 1,079
135, Jeffrey Thomas, Indianapolis, 1,076
136, Richard Arlesic, Geneva, Ohio, 1,067
137, Robert Volk, E Setauket, N.Y., 1,065
138, Aaron Gull, Comstock Park, Mich., 1,061
139, Christopher Wood, North Haven, Conn., 1,045
140, Ike Brownfield, Lowell, Ind., 1,043
141, Gregg Parrish, Palatine, Ill, 1,039
142, Ryan Geary, New Haven, Mich., 1,035
143, Terry Little, Hampton, Va., 1,032
144, Brian Menini, Brookfield, Mo., 1,012
145, Steve Merten, Wills Pt., Texas, 1,004
146, Dale Warehime, Taneytown, Md., 1,000
146, David Rosengarten, Gardendale, Ala, 1,000
148, Bryan Paul, Brooklyn, N.Y., 998
148, Derek TenBrink, Muskegon, Mich., 998
150, Mike Monroe, Otter Lake, Mich., 895

300 games (1) – Chris Johnson.

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