From wire reports
HOUSTON – After the first day of qualifying in Houston for the Professional Bowlers Association/Professional Women’s Bowling Association Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles, Erin McCarthy of Elkhorn, Neb.a, and Andrew Anderson of Holly, Mich., hold the overall lead with a combined seven-game total of 3,148.
The duo of McCarthy and Anderson are over 160 pins ahead of second-place Karsyn Lukosius out of Jackson, N.J., and Sean Riccardi of St. Petersburg, Fla. (2,982). Maryssa Carey of Hobart, Ind., and Justin Knowles of Okemos, Mich. (2,967), occupy third place, Liz Kuhlkin of Schenectady, N.Y., and England’s Richard Teese (2,965), hold fourth, while Sydney Bohn of Jackson, N.J., and Cam Crowe of Orland Park, Ill. (2,944) sit in fifth.
Seventy-nine teams have bowled so far with another 80 bowling Saturday, and the top 40 after Saturday’s qualifying advance to Sunday’s semifinal round. McCarthy and Anderson have their sights set on leaving Houston with the win this year after falling short in 2024, settling for a fourth-place finish.
“We knew the lanes were going to be a little tougher than last year,” said Anderson. “We had a quiet start but then we had a big Game 3 while she had a great Game 5 and we kept riding the momentum.”
The chemistry on the lanes was noticeable throughout their qualifying block as they stayed loose and kept the mood light.
“We just have a good time,” McCarthy said. “I don’t think we take things too seriously and he’s able to help me when I’m down while I’m sort of able to help him when he’s down, it just works out.”
Anderson added, “We’ve bowled together for so long in different events around the world, this feels like because it’s for a different type of cause, we really treat it as good of a time as we can.”
The duo have this event circled on the calendar every year and had nothing but praise for the hard work that goes into the tournament.
“This is an incredible tournament and there is nothing else like it,” said McCarthy. “Donna Conners and her staff do a phenomenal job; there is no describing this event to someone who hasn’t experienced it. That alone plus the atmosphere…you just come in here with a different mindset and it makes it that much more special.”
This year marks the event’s 25th anniversary. Since the first event in 2000, the X Out Breast Cancer Foundation has raised more than one million dollars in the fight against breast cancer.
Two-time defending champions Anthony Simonsen and Danielle McEwan (+116) are in ninth place overall.
Qualifying continues Saturday at 9 a.m. with C Squad while D Squad takes the lanes at 3 p.m. before the semifinals and finals all day Sunday. The entirety of the event is live streamed only on BowlTV.
DISQUALIFICATION: The team of Chloe and Steve Lemke was disqualified due to the latter’s use of illegal equipment. According to reports, Steve was throwing the Venom Recoil made in 2019. According to PBA Tour rules, All balls must be manufactured after Aug. 1, 2022, with second-shot spare balls made of plastic or rubber having to be approved by the tournament director. The same rule applies for urethane and urethane-like balls manufactured at 78.0+HD hardness.
See results of A and B squads here:
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