Two-handed lefty David Sewesky records a perfect 900 series in Michigan
01/14/16
To say David Sewesky (pictured) is comfortable at Plaza Lanes in Plymouth, Michigan, this season would be an understatement, as five of his last nine league games at the center have been 300s, including three consecutive perfect games for a 900 series.
The 27-year-old two-handed lefty from Dearborn, Michigan, struck on all 36 shots he threw during the Detroit Printcraft league Sunday.
He is the 27th bowler in history, and second in Michigan, to record a perfect series. Robby Portalatin of Jackson, Michigan, rolled the fourth certified 900 in December 2000.
Sewesky's achievement is pending approval from the United States Bowling Congress and would be the 28th USBC-approved 900.
The 900 series also bested his 34-strike, 888 performance in the same league late last month. He rolled games of 300, 288 and 300 on Dec. 20, with only a 10 pin and 6-10 combination keeping him from perfection.
"After the 888, a lot of people were asking me when I was going to shoot 900," said Sewesky, who topped the previous Metro Detroit USBC three-game record of 880. "It's the ultimate goal when you're a bowler, but you never really think it's going to happen to you."
While his Dec. 20 performance marked the first time Sewesky rolled two perfect games in the same set, this week's effort included his first back-to-back 300s. He credits a supportive group of friends and family, along with a laid-back atmosphere within the 13-team league, in keeping him focused.
As he approached the final frames, the 40-lane center became quieter and quieter, while a taunting 9 pin almost ruined the celebration.
"Midway through the third game was when I really thought (900) was something I could do," said Sewesky, who now owns 26 perfect games and 14 sets of 800 or better, with a previous high of 858.
"In the 10th frame, it got even quieter, and it all started sinking in before the last shot. My blood really started pumping, and the nerves set in. In the moment, I knew I threw a good shot, and I'm glad the 9 pin decided to go down."
Sewesky, who consistently averages in the 230s, experienced a lot of attention after his 888 set, and only managed to be in the 620s during his next Printcraft league series, which included a 279 start. The attention definitely has been magnified so far this week, and while he knows people will want to talk about it, he's hoping to remain humble and focused.
He's also not sure how this season's success will change his outlook on bowling in general, something he's done recreationally, along with other sports, like hockey and softball, while maintaining a steady job as a supervisor at a distribution center.
"I'm just super excited right now, and very thankful for such an awesome support team," Sewesky said. "The visibility this is getting is really remarkable. My friends and teammates have posted the videos, and my phone has been ringing all day. I didn't realize the magnitude right when it happened, but after 24 hours, it's definitely turning into something incredibly special."
The first USBC-approved 900 occurred Feb. 2, 1997 when Jeremy Sonnenfeld rolled three consecutive perfect games in Lincoln, Neb. There never has been a Sport-certified 900 series.
Jeremy Sonnenfeld (R), Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 2, 1997
Tony Roventini (L), Greenfield, Wis., Nov. 9, 1998
Vince Wood (R), Moreno Valley, Calif., Sept, 29, 1999
Robby Portalatin (L), Jackson, Mich., Dec. 28, 2000
James Hylton (R), Salem, Ore., May 2, 2001
Jeff Campbell II (R), New Castle, Pa., June 12, 2004
Darin Pomije (R), New Prague, Minn., Dec. 9, 2004
Robert Mushtare (R), Fort Drum, N.Y., Dec. 5, 2005 and Feb. 19, 2006
Lonnie Billiter Jr. (R), Fairfield, Ohio, Feb. 13, 2006
Mark Wukoman (R), Greenfield, Wis., April 22, 2006
P.J. Giesfeldt (R), Milwaukee, Dec. 23, 2006
Rich Jerome Jr. (R), Baltimore, Dec. 22, 2008
Chris Aker (L), Winnemucca, Nev., Oct. 30, 2009
Andrew Teall (R), Medford, N.J., Nov. 2, 2009
Andrew Mank (R), Bellevue Ill., March 18, 2010
William Howell III (L), Middletown, N.Y., Oct. 21, 2010
Matt Latarski (R), Medina, Ohio, Nov. 28, 2010
Bob Kammer Jr. (R), Crown Point, Ind., Jan. 8, 2011
John Martorella Sr. (R), Greece, N.Y., April 12, 2012
Jimmy Schmitzer (R), Riverside, Calif., April 20, 2012
James Williams (R), Pawcatuck, Conn., (bowled in Wakefield, R.I.), April 16, 2013
Joe Scarborough (R), Charlotte, N.C., (bowled in The Villages, Fla.), April 21, 2013
Todd James (R), East New Market, Md., (bowled in Laurel, Del.), March 18, 2014
Amos Gordon (R), Colorado Springs, Colo., April 11, 2014
Earon Vollmar (R), Toledo, Ohio, Jan. 19, 2015
Hakim Emmanuel (R), Stoughton, Mass., Feb. 19, 2015
David Sewesky (L), Dearborn, Mich., Jan. 10, 2016**
** Pending formal approval by the United States Bowling Congress.
Massachusetts' Hakim Emmanuel rolls 900 series
Ohio bowler Earon Vollmar rolls 900 series
Colorado bowler Amos Gordon brings the number of 900 series to 25
Last-minute substitute Todd James rolls a 900 series in Delaware Mixed League
PBA Senior rookie Joe Scarborough rolls first 900 series in PBA history
Connecticut's James Williams shoots 900 series
California teen Jimmy Schmitzer becomes 20th bowler to roll 900 series
New Yorker John Martorella Sr. becomes 19th bowler to roll 900 series
Bob Kammer Jr. becomes the first Indiana bowler to roll 900 series
Ohio's Matt Latarski becomes 17th bowler to roll a USBC-approved 900 series
New Yorker William Howell III rolls the 17th USBC-approved 900 series
Illinois bowler Andrew Mank rolls 900 series
Chris Aker, Andrew Teall roll 900 series three days apart
Baltimore's Rich Jerome Jr. rolls 900 series
P.J. Giesfeldt's perfect series is third in Milwaukee area, 12th in nation
USBC approves Mark Wukoman's 900 series
Cincinnati-area bowler Lonnie Billiter Jr. rolls 900 series
USBC approves Robert Mushtare's two 900 series
USBC reviewing New York youth bowler Robert Mushtare's two 900-series
United States Bowling Congress rejects 900 series by New York youth Robert Mushtare
Minnesota's Darin Pomije fires seventh ABC-approved 900 series
Jeff Campbell II rolls sixth ABC approved 900 series
Oregon bowler James Hylton rolls 900 series
Robby Portalatin becomes second lefty to roll 900
Vince Wood rolls three perfect games for the third ever 900 series
Tony Roventini becomes the first left-handed bowler with a 900 series
Jeremy Sonnenfeld makes history; rolls first-ever sanctioned 900 series
USBC News
Â
To say David Sewesky (pictured) is comfortable at Plaza Lanes in Plymouth, Michigan, this season would be an understatement, as five of his last nine league games at the center have been 300s, including three consecutive perfect games for a 900 series. The 27-year-old two-handed lefty from Dearborn, Michigan, struck on all 36 shots he threw during the Detroit Printcraft league Sunday.
He is the 27th bowler in history, and second in Michigan, to record a perfect series. Robby Portalatin of Jackson, Michigan, rolled the fourth certified 900 in December 2000.
Sewesky's achievement is pending approval from the United States Bowling Congress and would be the 28th USBC-approved 900.
The 900 series also bested his 34-strike, 888 performance in the same league late last month. He rolled games of 300, 288 and 300 on Dec. 20, with only a 10 pin and 6-10 combination keeping him from perfection.
"After the 888, a lot of people were asking me when I was going to shoot 900," said Sewesky, who topped the previous Metro Detroit USBC three-game record of 880. "It's the ultimate goal when you're a bowler, but you never really think it's going to happen to you."
While his Dec. 20 performance marked the first time Sewesky rolled two perfect games in the same set, this week's effort included his first back-to-back 300s. He credits a supportive group of friends and family, along with a laid-back atmosphere within the 13-team league, in keeping him focused.
As he approached the final frames, the 40-lane center became quieter and quieter, while a taunting 9 pin almost ruined the celebration.
"Midway through the third game was when I really thought (900) was something I could do," said Sewesky, who now owns 26 perfect games and 14 sets of 800 or better, with a previous high of 858.
"In the 10th frame, it got even quieter, and it all started sinking in before the last shot. My blood really started pumping, and the nerves set in. In the moment, I knew I threw a good shot, and I'm glad the 9 pin decided to go down."
Sewesky, who consistently averages in the 230s, experienced a lot of attention after his 888 set, and only managed to be in the 620s during his next Printcraft league series, which included a 279 start. The attention definitely has been magnified so far this week, and while he knows people will want to talk about it, he's hoping to remain humble and focused.
He's also not sure how this season's success will change his outlook on bowling in general, something he's done recreationally, along with other sports, like hockey and softball, while maintaining a steady job as a supervisor at a distribution center.
"I'm just super excited right now, and very thankful for such an awesome support team," Sewesky said. "The visibility this is getting is really remarkable. My friends and teammates have posted the videos, and my phone has been ringing all day. I didn't realize the magnitude right when it happened, but after 24 hours, it's definitely turning into something incredibly special."
The first USBC-approved 900 occurred Feb. 2, 1997 when Jeremy Sonnenfeld rolled three consecutive perfect games in Lincoln, Neb. There never has been a Sport-certified 900 series.
Â
USBC-Approved 900 Series (28)
Jeremy Sonnenfeld (R), Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 2, 1997
Tony Roventini (L), Greenfield, Wis., Nov. 9, 1998
Vince Wood (R), Moreno Valley, Calif., Sept, 29, 1999
Robby Portalatin (L), Jackson, Mich., Dec. 28, 2000
James Hylton (R), Salem, Ore., May 2, 2001
Jeff Campbell II (R), New Castle, Pa., June 12, 2004
Darin Pomije (R), New Prague, Minn., Dec. 9, 2004
Robert Mushtare (R), Fort Drum, N.Y., Dec. 5, 2005 and Feb. 19, 2006
Lonnie Billiter Jr. (R), Fairfield, Ohio, Feb. 13, 2006
Mark Wukoman (R), Greenfield, Wis., April 22, 2006
P.J. Giesfeldt (R), Milwaukee, Dec. 23, 2006
Rich Jerome Jr. (R), Baltimore, Dec. 22, 2008
Chris Aker (L), Winnemucca, Nev., Oct. 30, 2009
Andrew Teall (R), Medford, N.J., Nov. 2, 2009
Andrew Mank (R), Bellevue Ill., March 18, 2010
William Howell III (L), Middletown, N.Y., Oct. 21, 2010
Matt Latarski (R), Medina, Ohio, Nov. 28, 2010
Bob Kammer Jr. (R), Crown Point, Ind., Jan. 8, 2011
John Martorella Sr. (R), Greece, N.Y., April 12, 2012
Jimmy Schmitzer (R), Riverside, Calif., April 20, 2012
James Williams (R), Pawcatuck, Conn., (bowled in Wakefield, R.I.), April 16, 2013
Joe Scarborough (R), Charlotte, N.C., (bowled in The Villages, Fla.), April 21, 2013
Todd James (R), East New Market, Md., (bowled in Laurel, Del.), March 18, 2014
Amos Gordon (R), Colorado Springs, Colo., April 11, 2014
Earon Vollmar (R), Toledo, Ohio, Jan. 19, 2015
Hakim Emmanuel (R), Stoughton, Mass., Feb. 19, 2015
David Sewesky (L), Dearborn, Mich., Jan. 10, 2016**
** Pending formal approval by the United States Bowling Congress.
Â
Related Articles
Massachusetts' Hakim Emmanuel rolls 900 series
Ohio bowler Earon Vollmar rolls 900 series
Colorado bowler Amos Gordon brings the number of 900 series to 25
Last-minute substitute Todd James rolls a 900 series in Delaware Mixed League
PBA Senior rookie Joe Scarborough rolls first 900 series in PBA history
Connecticut's James Williams shoots 900 series
California teen Jimmy Schmitzer becomes 20th bowler to roll 900 series
New Yorker John Martorella Sr. becomes 19th bowler to roll 900 series
Bob Kammer Jr. becomes the first Indiana bowler to roll 900 series
Ohio's Matt Latarski becomes 17th bowler to roll a USBC-approved 900 series
New Yorker William Howell III rolls the 17th USBC-approved 900 series
Illinois bowler Andrew Mank rolls 900 series
Chris Aker, Andrew Teall roll 900 series three days apart
Baltimore's Rich Jerome Jr. rolls 900 series
P.J. Giesfeldt's perfect series is third in Milwaukee area, 12th in nation
USBC approves Mark Wukoman's 900 series
Cincinnati-area bowler Lonnie Billiter Jr. rolls 900 series
USBC approves Robert Mushtare's two 900 series
USBC reviewing New York youth bowler Robert Mushtare's two 900-series
United States Bowling Congress rejects 900 series by New York youth Robert Mushtare
Minnesota's Darin Pomije fires seventh ABC-approved 900 series
Jeff Campbell II rolls sixth ABC approved 900 series
Oregon bowler James Hylton rolls 900 series
Robby Portalatin becomes second lefty to roll 900
Vince Wood rolls three perfect games for the third ever 900 series
Tony Roventini becomes the first left-handed bowler with a 900 series
Jeremy Sonnenfeld makes history; rolls first-ever sanctioned 900 series
Â