From wire reports
HOUSTON – Erin McCarthy and Andrew Anderson have the lead after the first two qualifying squads of the 2026 Professional Bowlers Association/Professional Women’s Bowling Association Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles event at Copperfield Bowl.
The pair has combined for a seven-game total pinfall of 3,127, as Anderson finished with 1,550 and McCarthy was even better with 1,598.
Restrepo-Hostetler, a native of Columbia now living in Kent, and Benard, of Roanoke, Texas, ended the day with 3,100. Restrepo finished with 1,403, while the two-handed Benard had 1,697.
Two other Ohioans — defending champion Chris Via of Blacklick and Dayton’s Shannon Pluhowsky, a four-time champion of the event, finished third on the B squad and are 10th overall with 3,003.
Josie Barnes of Hermitage, Tenn., and Stu Williams of Pflugerville, Texas, are in the top five after leading the seven-game A squad.
The duo finished the day in third place with a combined seven-game total of 3,083.
Lauren and Matt Russo of Ballwin, Mo. (3,071) and Sydney Bohn of Jackson, N.J., and Cam Crowe of Orland Park, Ill. (3,069), closed out the top five.
Barnes and Williams credited their chemistry and ability to stay composed on a demanding lane condition.
“Once I found one ball that gave me confidence to hit the pocket, the lanes got a lot easier,” Williams said. “And Josie never misses any spares, so it makes it a lot easier because when she gets a good game, she gets to take advantage of it. I think that was the key.”
Williams said their similar personalities also help them navigate adversity together.
“We both have a lot of the same issues on the lanes,” Williams said. “We have a certain amount of empathy for each other, and I think that helps us. Because the scores usually aren’t that high here, when we finally do get a good game, we gain a pretty big advantage from it.”
Barnes said the pair’s complementary personalities and approach help keep each other focused throughout the block.
“We don’t really take anything too personally,” Barnes said. “Even when one of us throws a bad shot, we’re able to lighten the mood. That’s the best way to put it.”
Super senior Andy Neuer rolled the lone 300 game of Day 1.
Anderson and Benard were the top men Friday at 1,697, and Liz Kuhlkin was the top woman at 1,499. Kuhlkin teamed with Richie Teece at 1,541 to sit in seventh with 3,040.
Among other Ohio teams, Urbana’s Graham Fach and Breanna Clemmer of Clover, S.C. are eighth (3,016); Tallmadge’s Kirsten Moore and Cuyhaoga Falls’ Bryce Oliver are 18th overall (2,909); Minster’s Matt Cuba and Michigan’s Olivia Clark are 39th (2,807); and Wooster’s Abbie Leindecker and Kileen, Texas’ Keegan Alexander are 45th (2,783).
Qualifying continues Saturday with C Squad taking the lanes at 9 a.m. before D Squad closes it out at 3 p.m.. The top 40 teams after qualifying return Sunday for four games in the semifinals before the top 12 advance to the round-robin match-play finals. All rounds will be streamed live on BowlTV.
The tournament, commonly known as “The Luci” and in its 26th year, began as a fundraiser to combat breast cancer in honor of the late Luci Bonneau by her best friend, Donna Conners, and has evolved into the most prestigious mixed doubles championship event in the sport.