By AARON SMITH
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS —Alex George of Wichita, Kan., rolled games of 290, 279 and 279 for an 848 series to take the lead in Regular Singles at the 2022 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships on July 5, recording strikes on 32 of his 35 deliveries during the set.
The score is the sixth highest in tournament history and fourth overall on the list in singles competition.
USBC Hall of Famer Bo Goergen of Sanford, Mich., holds the all-time record at the Open Championships with an 862 set to win Regular Singles in 2009, and George’s set is the highest since TJ Schmidt of Granger, Ind., connected for 855 in doubles at the 2011 event.
The 27-year-old right-hander had the chance to surpass Goergen’s number heading into his final frame at the South Point Bowling Plaza after tossing nine consecutive strikes to start Game 3. He needed the first two hits for the chance to best the mark but left a 4 pin on his first shot.
Although the nine count meant the record was out of reach for George, it did secure him the top spot in Regular Singles. Scott Patke of Lansing, Mich., had led since May 20 with an 835 series.
He covered the spare and rolled one final strike on his fill ball, leaving just two 10 pins to go along with the 4 pin in a set that featured strings of 19 and 12 consecutive strikes.
“With less than two weeks left, doing it this late in the event is hard to comprehend,” said George, who made his sixth tournament appearance. “You only get a couple chances at an Eagle each year. I never thought coming in I could get to that kind of number. My big goal is to try and shoot 300 at some point in my career out here, and I got close a couple times today, but I’ll trade those for 848 and an Eagle.”
George added 688 in doubles and 622 in team for a 2,158 all-events total, which places him in the top 30. Brian Waliczek of Frankenmuth, Mich., leads Regular All-Events with 2,241.
George became the ninth bowler at the 2022 Open Championships to record an 800 series.
MORE 800s
Along with George’s run in singles, two additional bowlers connected for 800 this week during doubles and team competition.
Kevin Thibeault of Whitman, Mass., put together games of 258, 300 and 262 for an 820 series in doubles June 29, becoming the 40th bowler in tournament history to record both a 300 game and 800 series on the championship lanes.
The 26-year-old right-hander paired with Bryan Mancini of Rehoboth, Mass., during the set for a 1,389 total in Regular Doubles. He had 686 in singles and 553 in team for a 2,059 all-events total.
The following day, Jon Sipich of Hoffman Estates, Ill., rolled games of 243, 299 and 258 for 800 during his team event at the South Point Bowling Plaza. His effort helped The Bowlers ER Pro Shop Trauma of Des Plaines, Ill., to a 3,227 total in Regular Team.
The 35-year-old right-hander stepped up in the 10th frame needing a strike on his first delivery, followed by at least nine pins on his second shot, plus the spare, to get to 800. After recording the strike, he left a 4 pin and covered the spare to get to the number.
Sipich added 679 in doubles and 621 in singles for a 2,100 all-events total.
FOUR MORE 300s
In addition to Thibeault’s perfect performance in doubles, four competitors rolled 300 games this week at the 2022 USBC Open Championships.
There now have been 47 perfect games at the South Point Bowling Plaza during the 2022 event. The bowlers connecting for 300 include:
Jeffrey Ripic, Apalachin, N.Y. (singles — June 30)
Tanner Johnson, Owensboro, Ky. (doubles — July 2)
Collin Smith, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (team — July 2)
Steven Brozek, Las Vegas (team July 3)
LOOKING AHEAD
The 2022 USBC Open Championships has less than two weeks remaining at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
The 118th edition of the event, which kicked off March 12, will conclude with the final doubles and singles squads July 18.
2022 USBC OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
South Point Bowling Plaza
Las Vegas
(Division leaders with hometown and pinfall)
As of July 5, 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, Higgy’s Aquarium, Westerville, Ohio, 3,421. 5, Holly Lanes 3, Sanford, Mich., 3,404. 6(tie), Ten Pin Alley 300, Fitchburg, Wis., and BowlU 1, Kenmore, N.Y., 3,403. 8, Bowlers Headquarters, Muskego, Wis., 3,402. 9, Team NABR, Fairport, N.Y., 3,398. 10, Northrock Lanes, Wichita, Kan., 3,389.
Doubles
(Combined averages of 351 and above)
1, Kyle Krol, Tinley Park, Ill./Kyle Damon, Orland Park, Ill., 1,522. 2, Nick Powanda, San Diego/Tony Odom, Palm Springs, Calif., 1,518. 3, David Jecko, Whitesboro, N.Y./Steven Arehart, Holland Patent, N.Y., 1,485. 4(tie), Chris Barnes, Denton, Texas/Billy Rogers, Denison, Texas, and Gregory Young Jr., East Dundee, Ill./Aaron Ruiz, Nashville, Tenn., 1,479. 6(tie), Christopher Lamb, Rochester, N.Y./Brian Waliczek, Frankenmuth, Mich., and Anthony Lavery-Spahr, Pasadena, Texas/Marc Heninger, Lee’s Summit, Mo., 1,471. 8, Chad Meyer/Antonio Tejeda, Alexandria, Minn., 1,465. 9(tie), Jay Lang, Sterling Heights, Mich./Ronnie Sparks Jr., Redford, Mich., and Jacob Klein, Islip, N.Y./Ryan Reese, Buffalo, N.Y., 1,455.
Singles
(Averages of 176 and above)
1, Alex George, Wichita, Kan., 848. 2, Scott Patke, Lansing, Mich., 835. 3, Jeff Nimke, Appleton, Wis., 796. 4(tie), Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., and William Gensch, Greenwood Village, Colo., 791. 6, Adam Barta, Girard, Ohio, 790. 7, Frank Calca, Vernon, Conn., 789. 8, David Jecko, Whitesboro, N.Y., 788. 9, Steven Arehart, Holland Patent, N.Y., 787. 10(tie), Brandon St. Onge, Zephyrhills, Fla., Justin Knowles, Okemos, Mich., Paul Enright, Henderson, Nev., and Dusten Moore, San Antonio, 781.
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, EJ Tackett, Bluffton, Ind., 2,203. 7, Ronnie Sparks Jr., Redford, Mich., 2,201. 8, Thomas Sorce, Blasdell, N.Y., 2,199. 9(tie), Perry Crowell IV, St. Clair Shores, Mich., and Chris Barnes, Denton, Texas, 2,197.
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, BowlU 1, Kenmore, N.Y., 10,422. 5, Bowlers Headquarters, Muskego, Wis., 10,307. 6, Little Bears Pro Shop 1, Charlotte, N.C., 10,147. 7, Maximum Potential Pro Shop, Baldwinsville, N.Y., 10,140. 8, K and J Finishing 1, Carpentersville, Ill., 10,118. 9, Lightning Strikes Pro Shop, Rochester, N.Y., 10,116. 10, Strike & Buddies Pro Shops, Fall River, Mass., 10,111.
STANDARD DIVISION
Team
(Combined averages of 776-875)
1, JW’s All Stars (Andrew Lawson, Edwin Jawdy, Russell Weltzien, Bryan Jones, Keith Bradford), Wellington, Fla., 3,132. 2, Lemont Bandits, Oak Lawn, Ill., 3,097. 3, Dale Diamond Team 2, Chatham, Ill., 3,079. 4, Cinderella Shoes, Bradley, Ill., 3,005. 5, Explosive Pin Action, Leesburg, Ga., 3,003. 6, Sunshine POS, Phoenix, 3,001. 7, Imperial Lanes, Clinton, Iowa, 2,977. 8, Sweetheart Tenpin Bowling, Loveland, Colo., 2,970. 9(tie), Merrill-2, Mondovi, Wis., and Bowlers Pro Shop 3, Denham Springs, La., 2,967.
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, Devin Shepherd, Pylesville, Md./Ryan Bass, Northfield, Ohio, 1,304. 6, Anthony Dann, Dayton, Ohio/Sheldon Short, Huber Heights, Ohio, 1,291. 7, Eric Davis, Fall Creek, Wis./Michael Holzhueter, Menomonie, Wis., 1,287. 8, Raffy Stodomingo, Torrance, Calif./Hermie LaBaquin, Cerritos, Calif., 1,267. 9, Brad Suttorp/Ron Morrison, Columbus, Ohio, 1,258. 10, Keith Betts/Bryan Miloshoff, Griffith, Ind., 1,257.
Singles
(Averages of 156-175)
1, Sky Gettys, Thornville, Ohio, 763. 2, Troy Cubbage, Cumberland, Md., 732. 3, Joseph Saccente, West Sayville, N.Y., 730. 4, Mike Paulsen, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 718. 5, Edward Zurawski, Woodstock, Ill., 716. 6(tie), William Kolstad, Mendota Heights, Minn., Richard Zaitonia, Chesterfield, Mich., and Janelle Griffin, Upper Marlboro, Md., 714. 9, Chuck Herman, Broken Bow, Neb., 711. 10, Devin Norton, Lakeland, Fla., 706.
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, Kulshan Brewery, Bellingham, Wash., 2,694. 3, Just Luck No Skills, San Diego, 2,690. 4, Witt’s Classified Family Affair, Phoenix, 2,681. 5, Carters Royal, Cleveland, Ga., 2,678. 6, Rocky Mountain Insurance Group, Clancy, Mont., 2,677. 7, Wildcards, Aurora, Colo., 2,673. 8, BG Pizza Hut, Fostoria, Ohio, 2,669. 9, Farmers Grain, Greenville, Miss., 2,668. 10, Halos, Bloomington, Ill., 2,662.
Doubles
(Combined averages of 310 and below)
1, Melissa Burnham/Dennis Burnham, White River Junction, Vt., 1,188. 2, Terri Donahue, Ulster Park, N.Y./Ronald Jackson, Stone Ridge, N.Y., 1,165. 3, Jason Clark/Kenneth Clark, Crowley, Texas, 1,164. 4, John Brazzillo, Los Banos, Calif./Anthony Carvalho, Morgan Hill, Calif., 1,153. 5, Brenden Hutchinson/Robert Schuller, Salem, Ore., 1,146. 6, Robert Spiegel/Justin Baird, Lake Placid, Fla., 1,145. 7, Betsy Nigh/Nathan Nigh, Rushville, Ind., 1,138. 8, Arick Shibata, Hilo, Hawaii/Ricky Torres Jr., Kea’au, Hawaii, 1,132. 9, Amber Wurz, Rohnert Park, Calif./Chris Ledda, Tiburon, Calif., 1,131. 10, Ryan Thebarge, Windham, Maine/Dan Boothby, Buxton, Maine, 1,125.
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, Joseph Callas, Spring Grove, Ill., 648. 5, Edwin Humbert, Strasburg, Colo., 644. 6, Bruce Cody, Salem, Ohio, 643. 7(tie), Dean Crick, Waddell, Ariz., and Benjamin Tingue, Stafford, Va., 636. 9(tie), Billy Duvall, Bloomington, Ind., Lucas Janda, Leander, Texas, and Tony Untalan, Del Rio, Texas, 633.
All-Events
(Averages of 155 and below)
1, Andrew Hall, Safety Harbor, Fla., 1,857. 2, Ronald Hilliard, Lancaster, Calif., 1,824. 3, Tyler O’Neill, Mount Vernon, Iowa, 1,783. 4, Wayne Eaves, Boynton Beach, Fla.,1,774. 5, Joseph Constantino, San Tan Valley, Ariz., 1,772. 6, Bruce Heekin, Jamestown, Tenn., 1,744. 7, Joseph Callas, Spring Grove, Ill., 1,738. 8, Mitch Jones, Costa Mesa, Calif., 1,734. 9, Jonathan Viernes, Galveston, Texas, 1,733. 10, Daxdon Marrott, Santaquin, Utah, 1,732.