By BILL SNIER
FAIRLAWN — After being forced to take time off following a finger injury suffered in May, 10-time PBA50 Tour winner John Janawicz had targeted AMF Riviera Lanes as his return site to continue his season.
Yes, the historical significance of the site itself in Professional Bowlers Association history was important to the 53-year-old Winter Haven, Fla., right-hander. But there also was another reason.
“The last time I bowled here in the Tournament of Champions two years ago, I didn’t cash,” Janawicz said. “I reflected on some things after that event. I made some bad decisions on equipment and technique that I think contributed to that.
“This time, I came in here with a different mindset, different equipment and different technique. It has worked out well so far.”
Janawicz followed his Round 1 block of 1,700 by going just 10 pins less during Monday’s final round of qualifying to give him the overall lead with 3,390 total pinfall as the 37 remaining players head into the 9 a.m. Tuesday Advancers Round for the PBA50 Akron Classic.
He holds a 52-pin lead over super senior and PBA Hall of Famer Amleto Monacelli (3,338). The remainder of the top five include North Olmsted right-hander Michael Clark Jr. (3,333), Monday first shift leader Ryan Shafer (3,306) and Michael Machuga (3,275).
Janawicz fell out of the top spot on the evening shift only once Monday after throwing a 172 on Lanes 29 and 30.
“That one pair was a little tricky. I made a bad ball decision and I should have known better,” said Janawicz, who took six weeks off after fluid had accumulated in a finger on throwing hand causing swelling and discomfort during the PBA50 World Series of Bowling in May.
“I should have used the same ball I’d used the last two games. I paid the full penalty for it. It’s one of those things you learn.”
Janawicz, who used primarily a Storm Transform Pearl and Transformer during his round, mixed in some of his other equipment just to test it on the conditions. He made pitch changes to all his equipment — choosing to go with three-eighths reverse in both fingers — to get him through this last part of the Tour season due to the injury.
“I’ve been gone a couple of months and got behind a little bit on the newer equipment. I wanted to make sure some of my other balls still had life in them,” said Janawicz, the two-time defending PBA50 Player of the Year.
“But one thing I want to do is be better on the fresh (oil). I haven’t had a great look in Game 1 (he had starts of 200 and 218 during qualifying). I have to try some different things. I’ll think about it a little bit. Maybe some surface changes on the balls I have.”
But the hand is fine going forward.
“I’ve had no issues with swelling so I’ll keep bowling as long as it holds out. The doctor said no surgery was required … it was like broken ribs and you just have to give it time to heal,” Janawicz said. “I tried four or five combinations of pitches and spans before settling on this. Maybe in the offseason I’ll mess with it some more to fine tune it.”
MAKING THE CUT
The cut number was at 3,007, with Brandon, Pa., left-hander Troy Lint, bowling on the first shift, earning the final spot. He is the lone lefty among the top 37, who will bowl four more games today with pinfall carrying forward to determine the cut to the top 24 for match play.
He finished nine pins ahead of Tom Murphy (2,998) and 11 ahead of super senior Tom Carter (2,995).
In addition to Clark, several area players also made the cut to the Advancers Round, including super duper senior Dale Csuhta (18th, 3,089), Hudson High School coach John Brockway (20th, 3,082) and North Stark Pro Shop owner-operator Don Hogue (26th, 3,053).
SHAFER GETS SUPPORT
Shafer, a 59-year-old Horseheads, N.Y., right-hander, is returning from knee replacement surgery that he had one year ago. But he also had some motivation from a Michigan fan who made the trip to Fairlawn to watch her hero.
Shafer met the Jason family and their daughter, Aubree, four years ago at an event in Westland, Mich. Aubree, like Shafer, is a Type 1 diabetic and wears an insulin pump. Sunday, the family was in attendance at AMF Riviera.
“According to her dad, it made her realize, ‘I can do whatever I want to do. Here is a guy that is diabetic and he is out bowling professionally, so if I want to do something, I can do it,’ ” Shafer told pba.com. “They drove down three hours yesterday to watch and drove back home. It is always nice to see them, and they seem to be a good luck charm.”
Shafer said his fan began bowling just by watching him. He made her a promise.
“Last night she said to me, ‘I want to bowl a doubles tournament with you someday.’ I said, ‘I’ll make you a promise. You bowl high school and you improve; we will bowl the Luci (PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles) together.’ So, I gave her something to work toward.”
NOTEBOOK: There were two withdrawals during Monday’s play, with Daniel Patterson and Chris Warren pulling out of the second round due to injuries. … There was only one 300 thrown during the event and it came during Monday’s qualifying round by Aaron McCormick. Monacelli had 289 in Game 2 on Monday night for the high game of the day. … Joe Ciach produced a highlight during the evening shift, running off the first nine strikes and then leaving a 7-10 split on his 10th ball. He turned away after throwing the shot, but converted the split off the back wall. Fortunately, Hogue had videoed the shot and was able to show it to Ciach. … The Advancers Round will be followed by match play, with the top eight receiving a bye to the top 16 while seeds 9 through 24 compete in the opening round. Match play is best-of-three. The top 16 round, including the eight byes, will be followed by the round of eight, with winners and the highest-seeded player among match losers advancing to the stepladder finals, which are projected to start at 6 p.m. Action will air on BowlTV. … Admission for all rounds Tuesday, including the stepladder finals, is free.