By AARON SMITH
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS — Andrew Anderson of Chesterfield Township, Mich., and Chris Via of Blacklick, Ohio, returned to the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships this week to defend the titles they captured at the 2021 event.
Anderson entered the 2022 tournament as the defending champion in Regular Singles after rolling games of 269, 277 and 256 for an 802 series last year at the South Point Bowling Center. Via rolled the only other 800 series of the 2021 event (825) during his team event and added sets of 768 in singles and 710 in doubles to win Regular All-Events with 2,303 – the third highest nine-game total in the 118-year history of the USBC Open Championships.
Although neither Anderson or Via were able to return to the top of the standings at the 2022 event, each provided their share of excitement during their appearance at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
Anderson now has rolled an honor score in each of last three appearances at the Open Championships after posting a 300 game during his team event May 27 on the way to a 718 series. He started his set with 214 before connecting for 12 consecutive strikes in Game 2, and finished team with 204.
The 27-year-old right-hander became the 37th bowler to roll multiple 300s on the championship lanes after firing his first perfect game during singles at the 2019 event, also contested at the Bowling Plaza.
Anderson also became the 37th bowler to own both a 300 game and 800 series at the Open Championships in 2021 when he took the lead in Regular Singles. There now are 38 bowlers who have achieved the feat.
The initial goal for Anderson was to make sure his group was prepared for their time at the Bowling Plaza.
The moment really hit for him as he waited for his introduction after the rest of the team squad had made their way to the lanes. In addition to being welcomed back before the squad, Anderson also was presented with his championship watch.
“It really didn’t come to reality until yesterday,” Anderson said. “I’ve been really focused on getting the group ready to go out and have a good year. I was the last one in the squad room and last one to go out, and as you walk down the lanes, it’s like wow. This is happening. I got to look up and bowl on the side where my banner was hanging, and it was so special. I’m happy I got to do it with some of my best friends, and I hope they all get to experience it as well.”
Anderson noted it’s always tough to get the first shot off his hand at the Open Championships due to the excitement and nerves of being back at the event, and he settled in with 214 in Game 1.
The strikes started to add up in Game 2 for Anderson as he and his group tended to one of their teammates who was battling an illness.
“We had a buddy battling something,” Anderson said. “We could see he was fighting and shouldn’t have been bowling. We owed a lot to him for just finishing to give us a chance.”
The crowd gathered at South Point as he stepped up in the final frame with nine consecutive strikes, and Anderson energized the fans with a messenger to take out the 10 pin on each shot in the 10th.
“When I got to the 10th and looked around, there were like 200 people watching,” Anderson said. “I would like to say I enjoy those big moments. This moment felt big because with each strike I threw, the crowd got louder and louder. I got away with the first one, and when I did, I knew I had to get the next two. I don’t throw too many messengers like that, so it felt like someone was helping me along the way. It was a really special moment, being able to do that on the night I received my watch for last year.”
Anderson concluded the night with a 204 for a 718 series, and his return to the Bowling Plaza on Saturday started with 628 in doubles before jumping into his title defense.
His title defense in singles started with 243 in the opening game, but the momentum did not continue as he finished with 195 and 181 for a 619 series. Scott Patke of Lansing, Mich., leads Regular Singles at the 2022 event with an 835 series.
“The last 24 hours have been tough,” said Anderson after his singles set. “Bowling here under normal circumstances is hard enough, and this group had a lot of stuff going on in the last couple weeks. Today, we just had a really rough start. When you have a rough start at the Open Championships and you’re not totally focused, you’re going to get beat up. But, we’ll be back next year and try to run it back.”
Via started his run at a second consecutive Regular All-Events title with a 724 series in team May 29. The 30-year-old two-hander needed to average nearly 253 the next day during doubles and singles to catch the leading total of 2,241 by three-time Eagle winner Brian Waliczek of Frankenmuth, Michigan.
He posted 682 in doubles and finished with 750 in singles to get to 2,156 for his nine games this year at the Bowling Plaza to move into 20th place in Regular All-Events.
Regular Singles and Regular All-Events features bowlers with entering averages of 176 and above.
COLLEGE BOWLER DEBUTS WITH 300
Tyler Betz of Roseville, Calif., made his first appearance at the USBC Open Championships this week, and the 20-year-old college student at Tennessee Southern rolled a 300 game during his doubles set May 30.
The two-handed right-hander started doubles at the South Point Bowling Plaza with games of 225 and 194 before connecting for 300 in Game 3 for a 719 series. He paired with James Yannaras of Waukesha, Wisconsin, for a 1,275 total in Regular Doubles.
Betz competes on the bowling team at Tennessee Southern, which qualified for the 2022 Intercollegiate Team Championships in April. The Firehawks are coached USBC Hall of Famer Bob Learn Jr., who also was competing on the squad.
The perfect performance is the second for Betz on the national stage in 2022. He also fired a 300 game in January across town at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino during the USBC Team USA Trials.
TAKING THE LEAD
The husband-and-wife duo of Dennis and Melissa Burnham of White River Junction, Vt., took over the top spot in Classified Doubles on May 31 at the 2022 USBC Open Championships with a 1,188 total.
Dennis put together games of 197, 229 and 265 for a 691 series at the South Point Bowling Plaza, and Melissa added 156, 152 and 189 for a 497 set.
Ronald Jackson of Stone Ridge, N.Y., and Terri Donahue of Ulster Park, N.Y., previously held the lead with 1,165.
Classified Doubles features bowlers with combined entering averages of 310 and below.
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS
Three ceremonies were held this week at the South Point Bowling Plaza to recognize bowlers for 50 years of participation at the USBC Open Championships.
Fred McClain of Allen Park, Mich., made his milestone appearance May 28. The 1987 Team All-Events champion started his career at the 1971 in Detroit, and he has made his annual visit each year since 1973.
Through 50 appearances, he has knocked over 87,958 pins for a lifetime average of 198.1.
Joe Greer of Muncie, Ind., and Ed Duer of New Port Richey, Fla., each made their 50th appearance May 30 at South Point.
Greer’s run to 50 consecutive years at the Open Championships started at the 1972 event in Long Beach, Calif.. He has toppled 59,545 pins for a 167.7 average.
Duer’s debut was at the 1967 tournament in Miami, and he has a career pinfall of 82,845 for 50 years and a 186.5 average.
LOOKING AHEAD
Bob Martin of San Antonio is scheduled to become the final bowler to join the 60-Year Club at the 2022 USBC Open Championships on June 6 at 9:30 p.m. Pacific.
Martin, who made his debut at the 1962 tournament in Des Moines, Iowa, will become the 32nd bowler to reach the milestone. Gene Kirkham of Loves Park, Ill., and Mike Schmid of Minneapolis each made their 60th appearance earlier this year.
Martin has knocked over 95,905 pins in his first 59 appearances at the Open Championships for a 180.6 career average.
2022 USBC OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
South Point Bowling Plaza
Las Vegas
(Division leaders with hometown and pinfall)
As of May 31, 2022
REGULAR DIVISION
Team
(Combined averages of 876 and above)
1, Storm Products Inc. 1 (Matthew McNiel, Jon Rakoski, Justin Veitch, David Langer, Ronald Mohr), Alva, Fla., 3,486. 2, DiLaura Brothers 1, Clinton Township, Mich., 3,468. 3, Ballard’s Bowling Academy 3, Keller, Texas, 3,426. 4, Holly Lanes 3, Sanford, Mich., 3,404. 5, Ten Pin Alley 300, Fitchburg, Wis., 3,403. 6, Team NABR, Fairport, N.Y., 3,398. 7, Supreme Deck, Grand Haven, Mich., 3,372. 8, Next Gen Pro Shop 1, Chillicothe, Ohio, 3,358. 9, S.W.O.R.D., Rochester, N.Y., 3,357. 10, Frost Memorial Team 45, Piscataway, N.J., 3,356.
Doubles
(Combined averages of 351 and above)
1, Nick Powanda, San Diego/Tony Odom, Palm Springs, Calif., 1,518. 2, David Jecko, Whitesboro, N.Y./Steven Arehart, Holland Patent, N.Y., 1,485. 3(tie), Chris Barnes, Denton, Texas/Billy Rogers, Denison, Texas, and Gregory Young Jr., East Dundee, Ill./Aaron Ruiz, Nashville, Tenn., 1,479. 5, Christopher Lamb, Rochester, N.Y./Brian Waliczek, Frankenmuth, Mich., 1,471. 6, Chad Meyer/Antonio Tejeda, Alexandria, Minn., 1,465. 7, Jay Lang, Sterling Heights, Mich./Ronnie Sparks Jr., Redford, Mich., 1,455. 8, Stephen Dale Jr., Windham, N.H./ Jonathan Van Hees, Hope Valley, R.I., 1,450. 9, Brett Cunningham, Clay, N.Y./Michael Tryniski, Fulton, N.Y., 1,440. 10(tie), Andrew Carson, York, Pa./Scott Kinkaid, Elizabethtown, Pa., and Brandon St. Onge/Drew Markwardt, Zephyrhills, Fla., 1,433.
Singles
(Averages of 176 and above)
1, Scott Patke, Lansing, Mich., 835. 2, Jeff Nimke, Appleton, Wis., 796. 3, Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 791. 4, Adam Barta, Girard, Ohio, 790. 5, David Jecko, Whitesboro, N.Y., 788. 6, Steven Arehart, Holland Patent, N.Y., 787. 7(tie), Brandon St. Onge, Zephyrhills, Fla., and Justin Knowles, Okemos, Mich., 781. 9, DJ Archer, Simpsonville, S.C., 778. 10, Sam Cantrell, Roseville, Calif., 777.
All-Events
(Averages of 176 and above)
1, Brian Waliczek, Frankenmuth, Mich., 2,241. 2, Justin Knowles, Okemos, Mich., 2,222. 3, Brett Cunningham, Clay, N.Y., 2,220. 4, Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 2,219. 5, David Jecko, Whitesboro, N.Y., 2,212. 6, Ronnie Sparks Jr., Redford, Mich., 2,201. 7(tie), Perry Crowell IV, St. Clair Shores, Mich., and Chris Barnes, Denton, Texas, 2,197. 9, Adam Barta, Girard, Ohio, 2,188. 10, Ryan Volcko, Liverpool, N.Y., 2,181.
Team All-Events
1, DiLaura Brothers 1, (Jay Lang, John Buffa, Ryan VanHecke, John Kelley, Ronnie Sparks Jr.), Clinton Township, Mich., 10,585. 2, Team NABR, Fairport, N.Y., 10,538. 3, Mento Produce, Baldwinsville, N.Y., 10,444. 4, Maximum Potential Pro Shop, Baldwinsville, N.Y., 10,140. 5, K and J Finishing 1, Carpentersville, Ill., 10,118. 6, Lightning Strikes Pro Shop, Rochester, N.Y., 10,116. 7, Him Bowling Team 14, Chula Vista, Calif., 10,057. 8, Vi Jines Bar, Ingleside, Ill., 9,982. 9, Big O Tires, Oakley, Calif., 9,981. 10, Red Carpet Lanes, Ocala, Fla., 9,976.
STANDARD DIVISION
Team
(Combined averages of 776-875)
1, Lemont Bandits (Jason Surges, Steve Sereyka, Ronald Sereyka, Stephen Lewis, Ronald Demco), Oak Lawn, Ill., 3,097. 2, Dale Diamond Team 2, Chatham, Ill., 3,079. 3, Cinderella Shoes, Bradley, Ill., 3,005. 4, Imperial Lanes, Clinton, Iowa, 2,977. 5, Sweetheart Tenpin Bowling, Loveland, Colo., 2,970. 6(tie), Merrill-2, Mondovi, Wis., and Bowlers Pro Shop 3, Denham Springs, La., 2,967. 8, Kneel for the Cross, Villa Park, Ill., 2,966. 9, Ampro, New Haven, Ind., 2,958. 10, Five Guys 1, Sioux Falls, S.D., 2,948.
Doubles
(Combined Averages of 311-350)
1, Richard Oakes, Jr., Fresno Calif./Joe Loper, Cottonwood, Ariz., 1,362. 2, Douglas Becht, San Tan Valley, Ariz./Lee Rottman, Sherrard, Ill., 1,360. 3, Michael Schaal, Slinger, Wis./Wade Bisick, Oconto Falls, Wis., 1,320. 4, Michael Steppert, Weston, Wis./Dan Cherek, Wausau, Wis., 1,312. 5, Anthony Dann, Dayton, Ohio/Sheldon Short, Huber Heights, Ohio, 1,291. 6, Eric Davis, Fall Creek, Wis./Michael Holzhueter, Menomonie, Wis., 1,287. 7, Raffy Stodomingo, Torrance, Calif./Hermie LaBaquin, Cerritos, Calif., 1,267. 8, Brad Suttorp/Ron Morrison, Columbus, Ohio, 1,258. 9, Keith Betts/Bryan Miloshoff, Griffith, Ind., 1,257. 10, Michael Wilcox, Decatur, Ill./Michael Parnell, Springfield, Ill., 1,254.
Singles
(Averages of 156-175)
1, Sky Gettys, Thronville, Ohio, 763. 2, Mike Paulsen, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 718. 3, Edward Zurawski, Woodstock, Ill., 716. 4(tie), William Kolstad, Mendota Heights, Minn., and Richard Zaitonia, Chesterfield, Mich., 714. 6, Chuck Herman, Broken Bow, Neb., 711. 7(tie), Daryl Stephens, Gilbert, Ariz., and Chris Walcher, Springfield, Ill., 705. 9, Monte Steenson, Lincoln, Neb., 703. 10(tie), Richard Howerton, University Place, Wash., and Gregory Box, Waukesha, Wis., 701.
All-Events
(Averages of 156-175)
1, Dustin Sword, Rittman, Ohio, 1,994. 2, Gregory Witt, Phoenix, 1,982. 3, William Bradford, Plano, Ill., 1,972. 4, Dean Bruinsma, Clear Lake, S.D., 1,959. 5, Sky Gettys, Thornville, Ohio, 1,947. 6, David Lee, South Bound Brook, N.J., 1,944. 7, James Lamb, Rock Hill, S.C., 1,935. 8, Joe Loper, Cottonwood, Ariz., 1,930. 9, James Hamrick, Springfield, Ill., 1,927. 10, Kurtis Baird, Meadville, Pa., 1,914.
CLASSIFIED DIVISION
Team
(Combined averages of 775 and below)
1, Alamo City PINs (Miguel Villarreal, Frances Villarreal, Ruben Rodriguez, Luis Ramirez, Robert Rosas), Helotes, Texas, 2,788. 2, Witt’s Classified Family Affair, Phoenix, 2,681. 3, Rocky Mountain Insurance Group, Clancy, Mont., 2,677. 4, Wildcards, Aurora, Colo., 2,673. 5, BG Pizza Hut, Fostoria, Ohio, 2,669. 6, Farmers Grain, Greenville, Miss., 2,668. 7, Halos, Bloomington, Ill., 2,662. 8, Walker Farms, Portales, N.M., 2,648. 9, King Pin Lanes Team 3, Campbellsport, Wis., 2,629. 10, HGNB 3, Chicago, 2,616.
Doubles
(Combined averages of 310 and below)
1, Dennis Burnham/Melissa Burnham, White River Junction, Vt., 1,188. 2, Terri Donahue, Ulster Park, N.Y./Ronald Jackson, Stone Ridge, N.Y., 1,165. 3, John Brazzillo, Los Banos, Calif./Anthony Carvalho, Morgan Hill, Calif., 1,153. 4, Brenden Hutchinson/Robert Schuller Same, Ore., 1,146. 5, Betsy Nigh/Nathan Nigh, Rushville, Ind., 1,138. 6, Arick Shibata, Hilo, Hawaii/Ricky Torres Jr., Kea’au, Hawaii, 1,132. 7, Ryan Thebarge, Windham, Maine/Dan Boothby, Buxton, Maine, 1,125. 8, Linda Carlson/Vernon Carlson, Slaughter, La., 1,115. 9, Kurtis Weber, Carrollton, Ill./James Weder, Winchester, Ill., 1,113. 10, Vernon Taylor, Cave Springs, Ark./Tommy Taylor, Bentonville, Ark., 1,111.
Singles
(Averages of 155 and below)
1, Ronald Hilliard, Lancaster, Calif., 665. 2, Hunter Reber, Cedar City, Utah, 657. 3, John Lesner, Cave Creek, Ariz., 653. 4, Edwin Humbert, Strasburg, Colo., 644. 5, Bruce Cody, Salem, Ohio, 643. 6(tie), Dean Crick, Waddell, Ariz., and Benjamin Tingue, Stafford, Va., 636. 8, Billy Duvall, Bloomington, Ind., 633. 9, David Granados, El Centro, Calif., 632. 10, Chad Clapp, Casa Grande, Ariz., 630.
All-Events
(Averages of 155 and below)
1, Ronald Hilliard, Lancaster, Calif., 1,824. 2, Tyler O’Neill, Mount Vernon, Iowa, 1,783. 3, Wayne Eaves, Boynton Beach, Fla.,1,774. 4, Clarence Waller, Machesney Park, Ill., 1,767. 5, Warren Wannamaker, Vancouver, Wash., 1,756. 6, Bruce Heekin, Jamestown, Tenn., 1,744. 7, Mitch Jones, Costa Mesa, Calif., 1,734. 8, Daxdon Marrott, Santaquin, Utah, 1,732. 9, Carl Schwabe, Waynetown, Ind., 1,730. 10, Zachary Watson, Thornton, Colo., 1,728.