WAUKESHA, Wis. (May 21, 2013) – Former Wichita State University teammates Josh Blanchard of Gilbert, Ariz., and Jake Peters of Decatur, Ill., claimed the top two positions for the Professional Bowlers Association Badger stepladder finals Tuesday night at AMF Waukesha.
Blanchard, the 2011-12 PBA Rookie of the Year, won seven of his eight matches Tuesday night to post a 26-game total of 6,426 pins, clinching the top berth in the June 1 Badger Open stepladder finals by 10 pins over Peters. Peters, who started the day in first place, plunged to 18th after the morning match play round, but surged back into contention by also winning seven of his final eight matches for a 6,416 total.
Blanchard and Peters, who won a pair of Intercollegiate Men’s Team Championships with Wichita State in 2009 and 2010, are both trying for their first PBA Tour titles.
Saginaw (Mich.) Valley State collegiate bowler Aaron Lorincz of Belleville, Mich., the 2013 Intercollegiate Singles Champion, qualified third with 6,327 pins. Rounding out the stepladder finals in the first of four GEICO PBA Summer Swing tournaments will be Michael Haugen Jr. of Phoenix and Kurt Pilon of Warren, Mich.
“I told my wife last week I thought I could be really strong on this pattern,” Blanchard said of the 52-foot Badger lane condition, the longest oil pattern the PBA Tour has ever used. “I really felt like I could win on it. I haven’t won yet, but… The longer we went tonight, the stronger I got. I could have gone another eight games.”
Blanchard said the most valuable lesson he has learned in his first full year as a PBA Tour player has been “creating loft in my game. It worked tonight. I was able to keep my ball straighter and carry better, and that was the difference.”
Peters, also a second-year PBA Tour player, had never finished higher than 19th place, but despite his roller coaster performance, he was elated.
His plunge in the standings “was really exhausting,” he said, “but it might have really helped because after the way I bowled in the morning, I had nothing to lose and I made some really aggressive moves I probably wouldn’t have made had I not bowled so bad.
“As bad as I bowled in the morning, I was only 160 pins out of the TV show, and my fiancé and ball reps told me to just hang in there and see what happens. So I never gave up.”
Lorincz. 23, was surprised to make his first PBA TV finals, but said, “You practice and practice to get to this moment and to get here is awesome. I’ve been running out shots with these guys since I was 10 years old.”
Making the CBS Sports Network finals on June 1, however, will disrupt his plans.
“I’m scheduled to bowl (the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships in Reno, Nev.) on June 1,” he said. “I think I’m going to have nine unhappy teammates.”
The GEICO PBA Summer Swing now moves to AMF West in Milwaukee for the Wolf Open with practice and pro-ams scheduled for Wednesday, two five-game qualifying rounds Thursday and two eight-game match play rounds Friday The Bear Open follows Sunday through Tuesday at AMF Bowlero, followed by the Milwaukee Open May 29-30, also at AMF Bowlero. The Milwaukee Open will feature the top 28 qualifiers based on total pinfall after 30 qualifying games from the three animal pattern events.
Stepladder finals for all four tournaments, plus the GEICO Summer King of the Swing special event, will be taped over two days by the CBS Sports Network June 1-2 at Bowlero for airing on five consecutive Tuesdays at 7 p.m. ET beginning June 11.
The GEICO Summer King of the Swing will include the four Summer Swing event champions plus the next highest points leader who hasn’t won a title. Those five will compete in a $25,000 stepladder final for a $10,000 first prize, concluding the summer series on June 2.
PBA BADGER OPEN
AMF Waukesha, Waukesha, Wis., Tuesday
Final Match Play Standings (after 26 games, including match play bonus pins; top five advance to stepladder finals on June 1 at AMF Bowlero)
1, Josh Blanchard, Gilbert, Ariz., 12-4, 6,426.
2, Jake Peters, Decatur, Ill., 10-6, 6,416.
3, Aaron Lorincz, Belleville, Mich., 10-6, 6,327.
4, Michael Haugen Jr., Phoenix, 10-6, 6,319, $100.
5, Kurt Pilon, Warren, Mich., 8-8, 6,294.
6, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 8-8, 6,262, $1,800.
7, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 11-5, 6,250, $1,700.
8, Andres Gomez, Colombia, 8-8, 6,237, $1,600.
9, Jason Sterner, McDonough, Ga., 10-6, 6,230, $1,550.
10, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 8-7-1, 6,214, $1,500.
11, Ronnie Russell, Marion, Ind., 8-7-1, 6,201, $1,450.
12, Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 9-7, 6,137, $1,400.
13, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 7-9, 6,131, $1,450.
14, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 8-8, 6,114, $1,300.
15, Mike Fagan, Dallas, 6-10, 6,092, $1,250.
16, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 8-8, 6,088, $1,300.
17, Anthony LaCaze, Melrose Park, Ill., 7-9, 6,078, $1,150.
18, Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., 5-11, 6,072, $1,100.
19, Jon VanHees, Charlestown, R.I., 9-7, 6,040, $1,050.
20, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 8-8, 6,025, $1,000.
21, Bill O’Neill, Langhorne, Pa., 6-10, 5,957, $1,150.
22, Patrick Girard, Canada, 4-12, 5,945, $1,000.
23, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 6-10, 5,924, $850.
24, Mike Dole, Loves Park, Ill., 5-11, 5,744, $800.
300 Games: Michael Haugen Jr., Bill O’Neill, Mika Koivuniemi.
About the PBA
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) is an organization of more than 3,200 of the best bowlers from 17 countries who compete in PBA Tour, PBA International Tour, PBA Regional and PBA50 Tour events. Nearly one million ESPN viewers watch PBA Tour on Sundays during the tour season and thousands around the world watch PBA activities on Xtra Frame, the PBA’s exclusive online bowling channel. PBA sponsors include Brunswick, Ebonite International, GEICO, Jack Link’s, MOTIV, Storm Products and the United States Bowling Congress, among others. For more information, log on to http://www.pba.com.
Dallas, TX – AMF Lewisville Lanes in Lewisville, TX hosted the 4th Annual “STRIKEoutDiabetes” Bowling Tournament on April 27 raising over $60,000 for type 1 diabetes research! Chris and Lynda Barnes, world famous professional bowlers and parents of a young son living with type 1 diabetes, created this tournament to raise funds and awareness that will help cure, better treat, and ultimately prevent type 1 diabetes (T1D). This annual bowling event continues to attract enthusiastic participants and increase the amount of funds raised each year. This year, the tournament hosted over 250 participants and volunteers. Additionally, the event had an impressive line up of Chris & Lynda’s fellow professional athletes and bowling friends such as; Jesse Buss, Tyson Branagan, Dino Castillo, Casey Slaughter, Chris Drewes, Stefanie Nation, Clara Guerrero, Tennelle Milligan, Kim Terrell-Kearney, Rod Ross, Susie Minshew, and Mike Dobbyn.
STRIKEoutDiabetes is more than a one-day bowling tournament; it is a nationwide effort embraced by the bowling community to support JDRF and T1D research. Bowling continues to grow as a family sport for all ages, and this event showcases the fun that Bowling offers to every age and skill level. The event activities included silent and live auctions, prize drawings, trick shots, colored pin strike prizes, and terrific bowling. Tournament supporters sponsored bowling lanes and each player generously raised a minimum of $100 with all funds benefiting the JDRF Greater Dallas Chapter.
StrikeOutDiabetes – press release
The Barnes Family, in conjunction with the JDRF Greater Dallas Chapter launched STRIKEoutDiabetes in November 2009 to highlight National Diabetes Awareness Month. Since the first year, STRIKEoutDiabetes, thanks to the efforts of bowlers and bowling centers all over the country, has generated over $240,000 for JDRF funded research!
Lynda and Chris Barnes, have twin boys, Troy and Ryan. In 2008, Troy was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune response that occurs within the body suddenly and is not related to diet or lifestyle. To manage his diabetes, Troy must take multiple insulin injections daily and test his blood sugar by pricking his finger 6 or more times a day. While insulin allows Troy to stay alive, it does not cure T1D. Since Troy’s diagnosis, the Barnes’ have dedicated their celebrity status, recent Bowling Hall of Fame status, and resources to help JDRF find a cure. Lynda Barnes also currently serves as a Board Member for the JDRF Greater Dallas Chapter.
JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure T1D. More than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education. In 2012 Forbes magazine named JDRF one of its five All-Star charities, citing the organization’s efficiency and effectiveness.
For more information about JDRF or “STRIKEoutDiabetes” please visit our website http://www.jdrfdallas.org, http://www.STRIKEoutDiabetes.org or contact the Greater Dallas Chapter at 214.373.9808
FINAL PBA SUMMER SWING SCHEDULE
PBA BADGER OPEN, AMF WAUKESHA, WAUKESHA, WIS.
Sunday, May 19
2 p.m. – Practice session
6:30 p.m. – Pro-am
Monday, May 20
10 a.m. – All players, 5 qualifying games
5 p.m. – All players, 5 qualifying games
Top 24 after 10 games advance to round robin match play (qualifying scores for all players carry over to Milwaukee Open)
Tuesday, May 21
11 a.m. – Top 24, 8 games round robin match play
5:30 p.m. – Top 24, 8 games round robin match play
Top 5 after 26 games advance to stepladder finals
PBA WOLF OPEN, AMF WEST, MILWAUKEE, WIS.
Wednesday, May 22
2 p.m. – Practice session
6:30 p.m. – Pro-am
Thursday, May 23
10 a.m. – All players, 5 qualifying games
5 p.m. – All players, 5 qualifying games
Top 24 after 10 games advance to round robin match play (qualifying scores for all players carry over to Milwaukee Open)
Friday, May 24
11 a.m. – Top 24, 8 games round robin match play
5:30 p.m. – Top 24, 8 games round robin match play
Top 5 after 26 games advance to stepladder finals
Saturday, May 25
No competition
PBA BEAR OPEN, AMF BOWLERO, WAUWATOSA, WIS.
Sunday, May 26
11 a.m. – Brunswick Youth Challenge (special event)
2 p.m. – Practice session
6:30 p.m. – Pro-am
Monday, May 27
10 a.m. – All players, 5 qualifying games
5 p.m. – Squad A, 5 qualifying games
Top 24 after 10 games advance to round robin match play (qualifying scores for all players carry over to Milwaukee Open)
Tuesday, May 28
11 a.m. – Top 24, 8 games round robin match play
5:30 p.m. – Top 24, 8 games round robin match play
Top 5 after 26 games advance to stepladder finals
PBA MILWAUKEE OPEN, AMF BOWLERO, WAUWATOSA, WIS.
(Field will consist of cashers based on 30 game-totals from Badger, Wolf and Bear qualifying rounds)
Wednesday, May 29
11 a.m. – 5 qualifying games (top 24 after 35 games advance to match play)
5:30 p.m. – Top 24, 8 games round robin match play
Thursday, May 30
11 a.m. – Top 24, 8 games round robin match play
5:30 p.m. – Top 24, 8 games round robin match play
Friday, May 31
No competition
GEICO PBA SUMMER SWING TELEVISION FINALS, AMF BOWLERO, WAUWATOSA, WIS.
Saturday, June 1
11 a.m. – PBA Badger Open, five-player stepladder finals (airs Tuesday, June 11, 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network)
2:30 p.m. – PBA Wolf Open, five-player stepladder finals (airs Tuesday, June 18, 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network)
6 p.m. – PBA Bear Open, five-player stepladder finals (airs Tuesday, June 25, 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network)
Sunday, June 2
Noon – Milwaukee Open, five-player stepladder finals (airs Tuesday, July 2, 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network)
3:30 p.m. – GEICO PBA Summer King of the Swing, five-player stepladder final (airs Tuesday, July 9, 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network)
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 6, 2013) – Defending champion Bob Learn Jr. of Erie, Pa., averaged 248 to take the first round lead Monday in the PBA50 Miller High Life Classic presented by Columbia 300 at George Pappas’ Victory Lanes.
Learn, who won the 2012 Miller High Life Classic for his first PBA50 Tour title, had a 1,984 eight-game pinfall with games of 200, 226, 300, 225, 243, 257, 266 and 267.
“After watching the first block today it seemed like a lot of guys were having trouble with the first game so it was just a matter of getting through it and hopefully finding the shot after that,” said Learn, who was also a five-time winner on the PBA Tour. “For me it was a matter of moving farther inside to find a shot to the pocket that would carry.”
Learn is trying for his second PBA50 Tour title of the season and third of his career having won the season-opening Pasco County Suncoast Open while bowling with a sprained lower back.
“I feel like this could be one of my best opportunities to defend a title,” Learn said. “My game matches up well with this center and I’m feeling good now so I’m optimistic.”
Learn holds a 42-pin lead over two-time PBA50 Player of the Year Ron Mohr of Eagle River, Alaska, in second with a 1,942 pinfall. Rounding out the top five are 10-time PBA Tour winner and last week’s Greater Birmingham Open runner-up Bryan Goebel, Shawnee, Kan., 1,941; Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 1,914, and Dale Csuhta, Wadsworth, Ohio, 1,909.
It’s been quite an eventful first two tournaments for hometown bowler Joe Scarborough of Charlotte. In the recent Sun Bowl In the Villages, he rolled the first 900 series in PBA history. In Monday’s first round of the Miller High Life Classic, the electrical contractor was pressed into service with fellow competitor Ken Shealy and another electrician to restore power at the center after a 90-minute power outage. Scarborough finished the round in 12th with a 1,853 pinfall.
Learn had to wait out the delay to complete his 300 game having bowled the first four strikes and then the final eight when competition continued.
The 140-player field returns Tuesday for another eight-game qualifying round beginning at 11 a.m. ET. After qualifying the field will be cut to the top 40 for match play which gets underway Wednesday at 11 a.m. Championship rounds are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
PBA.com’s online bowling channel Xtra Frame is providing start-to-finish coverage of the Miller High Life Classic. For subscription information click on the Xtra Frame logo on the pba.com homepage.
PBA50 MILLER HIGH LIFE CLASSIC PRESENTED BY COLUMBIA 300
George Pappas’ Victory Lanes, Mooresville, N.C., Monday
First Round Qualifying (after 8 games)
a-amateur
1, Bob Learn Jr., Erie, Pa., 1,984.
2, Ron Mohr, Eagle River, Alaska, 1,942.
3, Bryan Goebel, Shawnee, Kan., 1,941.
4, Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 1,914.
5, Dale Csuhta, Wadsworth, Ohio, 1,909.
6, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 1,906.
7, John Petraglia, Jackson, N.J., 1,887.
8, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 1,875.
9, Mike Dias, Lafayette, Colo., 1,862.
10, Steve Neff, Homosassa Springs, Fla., 1,855.
11, Hugh Miller, Seattle, 1,854.
12, Joe Scarborough, Charlotte, N.C., 1,853.
13, William Peters, Dayton, Ohio, 1,851.
14, Mark Williams, Beaumont, Texas, 1,817.
15, Dennis Rakauskas, Apopka, Fla., 1,811.
16, a-Michael Long, High Point, N.C., 1,802.
17, Robert Harvey, Boise, Idaho, 1,799.
18, Darryl Bower, Middletown, Pa., 1,797.
19, Michael Shequin, Orange City, Fla., 1,790.
20, Don Sylvia, Lady Lake, Fla., 1,786.
21, Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp, Mich., 1,773.
22, Wayne Bolin, Lumberton, N.C., 1,771.
23, Charlie Tapp, Kalamazoo, Mich., 1,770.
24, Christopher Keane, Cape Coral, Fla., 1,767.
25, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 1,763.
26, Jeff Bellinger, Columbia, S.C., 1,760.
27, Dave Bernhardt, Romeo, Mich., 1,757.
28, Wayne Webb, Columbus, Ohio, 1,756.
29, Brendan Bierch, Grafton, Mass., 1,751.
30, Mike Hastings, Millsboro, Del., 1,747.
31, Dale Eagle, Tavares, Fla., 1,743.
32, Timothy Kauble, Marion, Ohio, 1,739.
33, Tom Howison, Chillicothe, Ohio, 1,733.
34, (tie) Henry Gonzalez, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Bill McCorkle, Westerville, Ohio, 1,732.
36, Greg McMahan, Dandridge, Tenn., 1,731.
37, Patrick King, Yankton, S.D., 1,726.
38, Mark Scime, Winter Garden, Fla., 1,724.
39, Kenny Parks, Hammond, Ind., 1,722.
40, Ted Staikoff, Black Hawk, S.D., 1,712.
41, Steve Stein, Staten Island, N.Y., 1,711.
42, John Conroy, Mahopac, N.Y., 1,710.
43, Sal Bongiorno, Hollywood, Fla., 1,709.
44, Ron Profitt, Brookville, Ohio, 1,696.
45, Gary Shultis, Levittown, N.Y., 1,695.
46, Jeff Schrum, Cherryville, N.C., 1,686.
47, a-Brian Gottry, Wilmington, N.C., 1,684.
48, Kevin Croucher, Grants Pass, Ore., 1,683.
49, Don Blatchford, Santa Monica, Calif., 1,679.
50, (tie) Frank Manley Jr., Fletcher, N.C., and Lee Brosius, Ashburn, Va., 1,678.
52, William Keenan, Jr., Orlando, Fla., 1,676.
53, Dennis Lane, Kingsport, Tenn., 1,674.
54, Larry Popp, Marion, Ohio, 1,672.
55, Steve Ferraro, Kingston, N.Y., 1,663.
56, Tim Pierce, Portland, Ore., 1,661.
57, (tie) Stoney Baker, Canton, Ga., and Keith Sharp, Orlando, Fla., 1,658.
59, (tie) Sammy Ventura, Syracuse, N.Y., and Ken Shealy, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 1,656.
61, George Pappas, Charlotte, N.C., 1,655.
62, a-Danny Williams, South Hill, Va., 1,653.
63, Terry Metzner, Kentwood, Mich., 1,652.
64, (tie) Tracy Golding, Winston-Salem, N.C., and Ray Johnson, Battle Creek, Mich., 1,645.
66, Marty Berke, Allentown, Pa., 1,644.
67, Dick Gran, Hartville, Ohio, 1,641.
68, Larry Williams, St. Augustine, Fla., 1,637.
69, (tie) John Shreve Sr., Elyria, Ohio, and Rick Minier, Houston, Texas, 1,636.
71, Michael Henry, Brunswick, Ohio, 1,630.
72, Rich Giragosian, Charlotte, N.C., 1,629.
73, Mark Jones, Amelia, Ohio, 1,626.
74, (tie) Ron Glick, Morganville, N.J., and Doug O’Bryant, Jasper, Ga., 1,617.
76, Fred Ferreira, Kings Park, N.Y., 1,616.
77, (TIE) Todd Kjell, Roscoe, Ill., and Bob Kelly, Dayton, Ohio, 1,611.
79, Danny Weikel, Dallas, N.C., 1,609.
80, Guppy Troup, Taylorsville, N.C., 1,608.
81, Bruce VanMetre, Delphos, Ohio, 1,607.
82, Ken Gibson, Greenville, S.C., 1,605.
83, Bob Brady, Santa Monica, Calif., 1,604.
84, (tie) Dave Flemming, Fairborn, Ohio, and Al Brooks, Bluefield, W.Va., 1,601.
86, Brian Cooper, Henderson, Nev., 1,600.
87, Richard Hunt, Valparaiso, Ind., 1,595.
88, Roy Buckley, New Albany, Ohio, 1,591.
89, Tom Kennedy, Shepherdsville, Ky., 1,590.
90, Todd Haney, Spartanburg, S.C., 1,586.
91, (tie) Steve Easterday, Strasburg, Ohio, Emilio Mora Sr., Defiance, Ohio, and Larry Graybeal, Elizabethton, Tenn., 1,581.
94, Ross McDonald, Clarksville, Md., 1,579.
95, Bill Argenbright, Fisherville, Va., 1,563.
96, Tom Carter, Rockford, Ill., 1,562.
97, Nick Morgan, Sacramento, Calif., 1,557.
98, Freddie Childress, Bassett, Va., 1,551.
99, Charlie Tomey, Spartanburg, S.C., 1,549.
100, a-Jason Gordon, Concord, N.C., 1,548.
101, Gene Morrison, Spring Lake, N.C., 1,546.
102, Carl Breaman, Greer, S.C., 1,545.
103, Frank Gallo Jr., Jacksonville, Fla., 1,542.
104, James Cayton, Canton, N.C., 1,541.
105, Thomas Ream, Tampa, Fla., 1,539.
106, Paul Bryant, Fayetteville, N.C., 1,537.
107, Dave Schultz, Jackson, Wis., 1,531.
108, (tie) Nicholas Serino, Simpsonville, S.C., Barry Warshafsky, Lowell, Mass., and a-Sidney Elkins, Belton, Mo., 1,527.
111, Jeffrey Herman, Bonaire, Ga., 1,525.
112, Brent Hunter, Glenville, Pa., 1,515.
113, (tie) William Banks, Laurel Hill, N.C., and Ed Cutter, Manassas Park, Va., 1,511.
115, Don Delisle, Canada, 1,505.
116, Paul Kreins, Lake Forest Park, Wash., 1,504.
117, Michael Sullivan, Midway Park, N.C., 1,496.
118, Larry Felts Jr., Moore, S.C., 1,489.
119, John Maloof, Park Hall, Md., 1,486.
120, Jim Price, Harrrisburg, N.C., 1,483.
121, Peter Brainard, Tampa, Fla., 1,480.
122, Sam Perrotta, Lincoln Park, N.J., 1,479.
123, Ken Waters, Kingsport, Tenn., 1,476.
124, Bob Andersen, Forest City, N.C., 1,467.
125, Rudy Garcia, Ft. Worth, Texas, 1,459.
126, a-Bob Webb, Burnsville, N.C., 1,457.
127, James Souder, Greeneville, Tenn, 1,442.
128, Dave Rossi, Morgantown, W. Va., 1,439.
129, George Lord, Lakeland, Fla., 1,434.
130, John Younger, High Point, N.C, 1,433.
131, Dave Paquin, Kannapolis, N.C., 1,427.
132, Darryl Traber, Waterford, Wis., 1,422.
133, Paul Lemond, Jasper, Ind, 1,418.
134, Rick Salyer, Kingsport, Tenn., 1,415.
135, a-Ray King, Fayetteville, N.C., 1,396.
136, Donald Breihan, Columbia, S.C., 1,380.
137, Richard Felten, Rockville, Md., 1,368.
138, Todd Wilson, Summerfield, N.C., 1,364.
139, a-Dennis Mignogno, Lincoln, Del, 1,339.
140, a-Butch Conz, Mooresville, N.C., 1,216.
300 Games (2) - Bryan Goebel, Bob Learn Jr.
About the PBA
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) is an organization of more than 3,200 of the best bowlers from 17 countries who compete in PBA Tour, PBA International Tour, PBA Regional and PBA50 Tour events. Nearly one million ESPN viewers watch PBA Tour on Sundays during the tour season and thousands around the world watch PBA activities on Xtra Frame, the PBA’s exclusive online bowling channel. PBA sponsors include Barbasol, Brunswick, Ebonite International, GEICO, Jack Link’s, MOTIV, Storm Products and the United States Bowling Congress, among others. For more information, log on to http://www.pba.com
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