SMALLWOOD HELPS MOTOWN MUSCLE TOP ROTH PBA LEAGUE QUALIFYING ROUND

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (Jan. 23, 2013) – Michigan native Tom Smallwood, who launched his Professional Bowlers Association career at Thunderbowl Lanes in 2009, helped his Motown Muscle team claim the top stepladder position in the Mark Roth PBA League qualifying round Wednesday.

Smallwood, a Saginaw resident who lost his job at General Motors during the auto industry’s economic downturn in 2009 and turned his unemployed status into a victory in the PBA World Championship later that same season, averaged 232.25 for an eight-game total of 1,858 pins to help the Motown Muscle team – owned by Detroit native and former Pittsburgh Steelers star running back Jerome Bettis – to the No. 1 berth in the Mark Roth round stepladder finals by 182 pins over Billie Jean King’s New York City WTT KingPins. The BROOKLYN STyLES, owned by actor Jesse Williams, and led by Mark Roth Classic qualifying leader Sean Rash of Montgomery, Ill., locked up the third team stepladder berth with 8,991 pins.

The other five teams will compete in a one-ball Clash Match eliminator round to determine the fourth team that will bowl in the Baker format television finals. In Baker team competition, each of the five players bowls two frames to complete a game.

The Roth PBA League stepladder finals and the Mark Roth Classic championship match will be contested on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET at Thunderbowl Lanes. The finals will air on ESPN on Sunday, Feb. 17, at 3 p.m. ET.

The Detroit Winter Swing features a unique combination of PBA individual and team competitions. A field of 135 players are competing for individual titles while eight teams of five players are also using their qualifying scores to help their teams qualify in inaugural PBA League competition.

“The PBA League is a good concept,” Smallwood said. “The players are still a little up in the air about it because it’s so new, but it’s a cool concept. It’ll make for good TV. Actually, I feel more pressure bowling for the team than myself because you don’t want to let your team down.”

Smallwood, now 35, began chasing his bowling dream in 2009 after being laid off at GM. He decided to enter the PBA’s “exempt tour” qualifying tournament at Thunderbowl, won a chance to bowl full-time on tour during the 2009-10 season, and turned that opportunity into a major championship with a $50,000 payday. A year later, he finished second in the PBA Tournament of Champions, earning another $100,000. Since becoming a full-time professional bowler in 2009, Smallwood has earned nearly $300,000 in PBA Tour competition.

“It’s nice to come back here,” he said of returning to Thunderbowl. “If we had 40-50 tournaments a year here, I’d make a great living. It’s almost like home for me. It’s really nice to have a big crowd behind.”

In addition to Smallwood, Motown Muscle team leader Mike Fagan contributed 1,770 pins to the team total while Mike Scroggins added 1,888, Ronnie Russell 1,827 and Jesse Buss 1,875, including one of the two 300 games bowled in the qualifying round.

Rash, the PBA’s reigning Player of the Year, led the field of 16 players who advanced to the Mark Roth Classic match play finals Wednesday night, bowling at a 253.63 pace for a 2,029 total and a 108-pin lead over Finnish-American star Mika Koivuniemi, who makes his home in nearby Hartland, Mich. After nine games of round robin match play, the top two players after 17 games will advance to the Mark Roth Classic championship match.

The Detroit Winter Swing continues Thursday at Thunderbowl Lanes with qualifying and match play rounds in the Mark Roth Classic and the third day of PBA League competition.

All preliminary rounds of Winter Swing competition are being covered live, exclusively on PBA’s online bowling channel, Xtra Frame. To subscribe to Xtra Frame, visit pba.com and click on the Xtra Frame link.

PBA MARK ROTH CLASSIC
Thunderbowl Lanes, Allen Park, Mich., Jan. 23

Final Qualifying Standings (after 8 games; top 16 advance to round robin match play Wednesday night)
1, Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., 2,029.
2, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 1,921.
3 (tie), Scott Norton, Mission Viejo, Calif., and Brett Spangler, Niles, Ohio, 1,912.
5, Michael Haugen Jr., Carefree, Ariz., 1,911.
6, Ildemaro Ruiz, Venezuela, 1,906.
7, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 1,897.
8, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 1,888.
9, Jesse Buss, Belvidere, Ill., 1,875.
10, Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 1,860.
11, Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., 1,858.
12, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 1,852.
13, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 1,843.
14, Dom Barrett, England, 1,840.
15, Ronnie Sparks Jr., Ecorse, Mich., 1,834.
16, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 1,833.
Other Cashers (after 8 games):
17, Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 1,832, $1,000.
18, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 1,829, $950.
19, Ronnie Russell, Marion, Ind., 1,827, $900.
20 (tie), Bill O’Neill, Langhorne, Pa., and Brian Valenta, Lockport, Ill., 1,826, $835.
22, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 1,823, $800.
23, Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan., 1,821, $790.
24, Anthony LaCaze, Melrose Park, Ill., 1,816, $780.
25, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, 1,814, $770.
26, B.J. Moore II, Apex, N.C., 1,813, $760.
27, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 1,809, $750.
28, Mark Milasinovich, Macomb, Mich., 1,804, $740.
29, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 1,802, $730.
30, E.J. Tackett, Huntington, Ind., 1,801, $720.
31, Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp., Mich., 1,799, $710.
32, David Haynes, Las Vegas, 1,798, $700.
Failed to Cash:
33, Frankie Calca, Elmont, N.Y., 1,796.
34, Tom Daugherty, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 1,794.
35, Josh Blanchard, Gilbert, Ariz., 1,792.
36, Craig Nidiffer, Trenton, Mich., 1,791.
37, John Szczerbinski, North Tonawanda, N.Y., 1,786.
38, Thomas Larsen, Denmark, 1,782.
39, Dave Wodka, Henderson, Nev., 1,780.
40, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 1,777.
41, Justin Neiman, Warren, Mich., 1,775.
42, Mike Williams II, Montgomery, Ala, 1,772.
43, Patrick Girard, Canada, 1,771.
44, Mike Fagan, Dallas, 1,770.
45, Humberto Vazquez, Mexico, 1,769.
46, Brett Cunningham, Clay, N.Y., 1,766.
46, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 1,766.
48, Rick Graham, Lancaster, Pa., 1,763.
49, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 1,756.
50, Jason Sterner, McDonough, Ga., 1,752.
51, D.J. Archer, Friendswood, Texas, 1,749.
52, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 1,748.
53, Osku Palermaa, Finland, 1,742.
54, Corey Miller, Grand Blanc, Mich, 1,740.
55 (tie), Joe Paluszek, Bensalem, Pa., and Jesse Smith, Garfield Heights, Ohio, 1,736.
57, Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore., 1,728.
58, Martin Larsen, Sweden, 1,727.
59 (tie), Craig LeMond, Jasper, Ind., and Brian Gunn, Chicago, 1,723.
61, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 1,721.
62, Todd Book, Russells Point, Ohio, 1,715.
63 (tie), Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., and Mason Brantley, Detroit, 1,714.
65 (tie), Rick Zakrajsek, Lorain, Ohio, and Brian Robinson, Morgantown, W.V., 1,710.
67, Kirby Allen, Ironton, Ohio, 1,708.
68, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 1,706.
69, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 1,704.
70, Lee Vanderhoef, Greenville, S.C., 1,700.
71 (tie), Bob Learn Jr., Macomb, Mich., and Sean Swanson, Springfield, Mo., 1,696.
73 (tie), Mike DeVaney, Hemet, Calif., and John Furey, Freehold, N.J., 1,695.
75, Tom Hess, Urbandale, Iowa, 1,694.
76, Kyle Bigelow, Troy, Ohio, 1,693.
77, Jake Peters, Decatur, Ill., 1,681.
78, Gregory Thompson Jr., Dublin, Calif., 1,678.
79 (tie), Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., and Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 1,675.
81 (tie), Michael Stocks, Leesburg, Va.; Jim Pratt, Glendale, Ariz.; Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., and Kevin Brophy, Oakhurst, N.J., 1,672.
85, Kurt Pilon, Warren, Mich., 1,671.
86, Stephen Pavlinko Jr., Sewell, N.J., 1,669.
87, Jeff Roche, Dearborn, Mich., 1,668.
88, Jeffrey Edwards, Sterling Heights, Mich., 1,664.
89, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 1,663.
90, Christopher Colosimo, Elkhorn, Wis., 1,660.
91, Chad Reiffer, Kentwood, Mich., 1,659.
92, Keith Caldwell, Detroit, 1,655.
93, Andres Gomez, Colombia, 1,646.
94, Scott Newell, Deland, Fla., 1,641.
95 (tie), David Tullos, Spring, Texas, and Dan MacLelland, Canada, 1,637.
97, Rhino Page, Dade City, Fla., 1,633.
98, Brad Miller, St. Charles, Mo., 1,632.
99, Jon VanHees, Charlestown, R.I., 1,631.
100, Kyle Troup, Taylorsville, N.C., 1,629.
101, Eric Tackett, Huntington, Ind., 1,627.
102, Andrew Graff, Las Vegas, 1,621.
103, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 1,620.
104, Bo Goergen, Sanford, Mich., 1,619.
105, Julio Cesar Blancas, Mexico, 1,616.
106, Ryan Appel, Cinnaminson, N.J., 1,614.
107, Darren Andretta, New Hyde Park, N.Y., 1,611.
108, Tyler Wilds, Three Rivers, Mich., 1,610.
109, Jerry Sikora, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., 1,594.
110, Stuart Williams, England, 1,590.
111, J.T. “Action” Jackson, Sherman Oaks, Calif., 1,584.
112, Michael Calhoun, Wyandotte, Mich., 1,582.
113, Tony Campagna Jr., Hendersonville, Tenn., 1,575.
114, BJ Satkowski, Jackson, Mich, 1,567.
115, Josh Lewis, Asheville, N.C., 1,566.
116, Justin Stevens, Aiea, Hawaii, 1,565.
117, Randy Weiss, Columbia, S.C., 1,564.
118, Jonathan Russell, Rockwood, Tenn., 1,561.
119, Phillip Vallar, Southgate, Mich., 1,560.
120, Dick Allen, Columbia, S.C., 1,559.
121, Chris Cundiff, Lake Station, Ind., 1,550.
122, Johnathan Bower, Middletown, Pa., 1,541.
123, Justin Bychkowski, Fairfield, Conn., 1,531.
124, Andrew Horodecki, Norcross, Ga., 1,528.
125, Mike Keily, Golden, Colo., 1,526.
126, Diandra Asbaty, Chicago, 1,524.
127, Nick Kokenos, St. Clair Shores, Mich., 1,521.
128, David Shinn, West Columbia, S.C., 1,505.
129, Kasey Normandin, Canada, 1,497.
130, Carleton Chambers, Detroit, 1,484.
131, Kenneth Bland Jr., Germany, 1,449.
132, Dustin Baker, Melbourne, Ky, 1,402.
133, Mitch Beasley, Nashville, Tenn., withdrew.
134, Gradie Merritt-Foster, Park Forest, Ill., withdrew.

300 Game: Rick Zakrajsek, Jesse Buss.

EARL ANTHONY PBA PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING LEADERS
(top 32 players after 16 of 32 games; top 16 after 32 games advance to round robin match play Friday night)
1, Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., 3,915.
2, Scott Norton, Mission Viejo, Calif., 3,853.
3, Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., 3,811.
4, Bill O’Neill, Langhorne, Pa., 3,741.
5, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 3,738.
6, D.J. Archer, Friendswood, Texas, 3,726.
7 (tie), Brett Spangler, Niles, Ohio, and Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 3,717.
9, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 3,694.
10, Ronnie Russell, Marion, Ind., 3,686.
11, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 3,684.
12, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 3,650.
13, Dom Barrett, England, 3,646.
14, Frankie Calca, Elmont, N.Y., 3,636.
15, Tom Daugherty, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 3,620.
16, Ildemaro Ruiz, Venezuela, 3,619.
17, Michael Haugen Jr., Carefree, Ariz., 3,615.
18, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 3,614.
19, Brian Valenta, Lockport, Ill., 3,610.
20, Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 3,595.
21, Ronnie Sparks Jr., Ecorse, Mich., 3,590.
22, Craig Nidiffer, Trenton, Mich., 3,570.
23, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 3,566.
24, Dave Wodka, Henderson, Nev., 3,562.
25, B.J. Moore II, Apex, N.C., 3,559.
26, Mark Milasinovich, Macomb, Mich., 3,554.
27, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 3,545.
28, Jesse Buss, Belvidere, Ill., 3,544.
29, Mike DeVaney, Hemet, Calif., 3,540.
30, David Haynes, Las Vegas, 3,538.
31, Mike Fagan, Dallas, 3,534.
32, Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp., Mich., 3,533.

PBA LEAGUE ROTH QUALIFYING ROUND STANDINGS (after 8 games; top 3 teams advance to Baker format stepladder finals; teams 4-8 will bowl a one-ball Clash Match eliminator round to determine the fourth team in the stepladder finals)
1, Motown Muscle, 9,218 (Mike Fagan 1,770, Tom Smallwood 1,858, Mike Scroggins 1,888, Ronnie Russell 1,827, Jesse Buss 1,875).
2, New York City WTT KingPins, 9,036 (Pete Weber 1,843, Tommy Jones 1,672, Scott Norton 1,912, Jack Jurek 1,823, John Szczerbinski 1,786).
3, BROOKLYN STyLES, 8,991 (Sean Rash 2,029, Ryan Ciminelli 1,860 , Ryan Shafer 1,675, Walter Ray Williams Jr. 1,675, Jason Sterner 1,752).
4, Philadelphia Hitmen, 8,898 (Bill O’Neill 1,826, Mika Koivuniemi 1,921, Chris Loschetter 1,897, Mike DeVaney 1,695, Dick Allen 1,559). 
5, Silver Lake Atom Splitters, 8,775 (Chris Barnes 1,721, Dom Barrett 1,840, Josh Blanchard 1,792, Stuart Williams 1,590, Nathan Bohr 1,832).
6, Dallas Strikers, 8,738 (Norm Duke 1,852, Rhino Page 1,633, Amleto Monacelli 1,777, Bryon Smith 1,728, Mike Machuga 1,748).
7, L.A. X, 8,659 (Jason Belmonte 1,756, Wes Malott 1,814, Andres Gomez 1,646, Parker Bohn III 1,663,  Dave Wodka 1,780).
8, Pittsburgh Jack Rabbits, 8,592 (Osku Palermaa 1,742, Martin Larsen 1,727, Dan MacLelland 1,637, Patrick Allen 1,704, Thomas Larsen 1,782).

PBA LEAGUE THUNDERBOWL FINALS QUALIFYING STANDINGS (after 16 of 32 team games; top five teams advance to live ESPN Baker format stepladder finals Sunday at noon ET)
1, Motown Muscle, Detroit (owner Jerome Bettis), 18,189.
2, Philadelphia Hitmen, Philadelphia (owner Kevin Hart), 17,992.
3, New York City WWT KingPins, New York (owner Billie Jean King), 17,966.
4, BROOKLYN STyLES, Brooklyn, N.Y. (owner Jesse Williams), 17,747.
5, Silver Lake Atom Splitters, Silver Lake, Calif. (owner Chris Hardwick), 17,615.
6, L.A. X., Los Angeles (owner Chris Paul), 17,555.
7, Dallas Strikers, Dallas (owner Terrell Owens), 17,397.
8, Pittsburgh Jack Rabbits, Pittsburgh, Pa. (owner LaMarr Woodley), 17,341.

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.

PBA TOUR AND PBA LEAGUE ACTION RESUME ON ESPN WITH CARMEN SALVINO CLASSIC

The PBA Tour and PBA League resume on ESPN with the finals of the Carmen Salvino Classic and the second round of the PBA League on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 1 p.m. ET. Lon McEachern and PBA Hall of Famer Randy Petersen provide commentary and analysis on-site from Thunderbowl Lanes in suburban Detroit. Colombian Andres Gomez will be hoping to defend his title against American D.J. Archer in the Salvino Tour final.

The PBA League Salvino round competition will begin with a Clash eliminator contest featuring four representatives from the L.A. X, three from the Silver Lake Atom Splitters, two from the BROOKLYN STyLES, and one each from the Pittsburgh Jack Rabbits and Dallas Strikers. The player who wins the Clash round will advance his team into the Salvino stepladder finals to meet owner Billie Jean King’s New York City WTT KingPins (John Szczerbinski, Jack Jurek, Tommy Jones, Pete Weber, Scott Norton) in the opening match. The KingPins qualified third for the Baker format stepladder finals.  The quarterfinal, semifinal and final matches follow.

The PBA League is a new team-style tournament format that debuted this year. The concept incorporates teams owned by Hollywood and sports celebrities and captained by PBA Tour stars. Viewers can follow the PBA on ESPN on Twitter with the hashtags #LoveTheLanes and #PBALeague.

Click here for the full PBA televised schedule

PHILADELPHIA HITMEN TOP INAUGURAL QUALIFYING ROUND AS PBA LEAGUE MAKES DEBUT

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (Jan. 22, 2013) – D.J. Archer of Friendswood, Texas, will bowl defending champion Andres Gomez of Colombia in his quest for his first Professional Bowlers Association Tour title in the Carmen Salvino Classic finals Saturday at Thunderbowl Lanes.

Archer, a 32-year-old former West Texas A&M collegiate star, assured himself of his highest finish in a PBA Tour event when he led the field in the match play finals of the Salvino Classic Tuesday night, posting a 5-1-3 match play record and a 17-game total of 4,381 pins, 76 ahead of Gomez. Gomez, who started match play in eighth place, won his only PBA Tour title in the 2012 Carmen Salvino Classic in Las Vegas.

Earlier Tuesday, in the opening event of the multi-tournament PBA Detroit Winter Swing, Bill O’Neill of Langhorne, Pa., helped his Philadelphia Hitmen team earn the top qualifying position in the inaugural round of PBA League competition.

The Detroit Winter Swing features a unique PBA competition, with the field of 135 players competing for individual titles while eight teams of five players each also are using their qualifying scores to help their teams qualify in PBA League competition.

Archer averaged 246.24 for 17 games Tuesday to earn the top qualifying position in the Salvino Classic finals. His previous best PBA Tour finish was fourth place in the 2004 United States Bowling Congress Masters in his only prior PBA television appearance.

“It’s kind of a monkey off my back, but it’s been so long since my first TV show, I’m just very excited,” Archer said. “Hopefully the outcome will be a lot better than it was before.

“With only two people making a show, the odds are kind of like winning the lottery. It’s something I’ve been working toward. I’d like to win. I absolutely never gave up the dream.

“I’ll keep bowling until it’s no fun anymore,” he added. “I love the game, I love the challenges, I love to compete, so adding a win would be excellent.”

The Salvino Classic title match will conclude the ESPN telecast that will include the Salvino PBA League stepladder finals. The finals will be conducted Saturday at Thunderbowl at noon ET for delayed telecast on ESPN on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 1 p.m. ET.

During Tuesday’s afternoon qualifying round, O’Neill led his balanced five-player Philadelphia Hitmen team – owned by actor/comedian Kevin Hart) – into the top position for the PBA League stepladder finals that will precede the Salvino Classic championship match Saturday. The Hitmen finished with a combined total of 9,094 pins to earn the top berth by 123 pins over the Motown Muscle, owned by Detroit native and former Pittsburgh Steelers star Jerome Bettis. Billie Jean King’s New York City WTT KingPins clinched the No. 3 berth in the stepladder finals. The other five teams will bowl a one-ball “Clash Match” eliminator round to determine the fourth berth in the stepladder finals.

O’Neill, who posted an eight-game total of 1,915 pins, got help from Hitmen teammates Mika Koivuniemi (1,817), Chris Loschetter (1,797), Mike DeVaney (1,845) and Dick Allen (1,720).

“It was way different than bowling other PBA events,” O’Neill said. “I bowled a couple of pairs away from (Hitmen teammates Mike) DeVaney and (Dick) Allen, so I was kind of watching them. We’re bowling against each other for the Salvino title, but I’m still cheering for them. We want to win the team thing. That would be awesome.”

The Salvino Classic finals and PBA League stepladder matches will be contested on Saturday at noon ET at Thunderbowl.

The Detroit Winter Swing continues Wednesday at Thunderbowl Lanes with qualifying and match play rounds in the Mark Roth Classic along with the second day of PBA League competition.

All preliminary rounds of Winter Swing competition are being covered live, exclusively on PBA’s online bowling channel, Xtra Frame. To subscribe to Xtra Frame, visit pba.com and click on the Xtra Frame link.

PBA CARMEN SALVINO CLASSIC
Thunderbowl Lanes, Allen Park, Mich., Jan. 22

Final Match Play Standings (after 17 games, including match play bonus pins; top two advance to championship match)
1, D.J. Archer, Friendswood, Texas, 5-1-3, 4,381.
2, Andres Gomez, Colombia, 6-2-1, 4,305.
Other Match Play Cashers:
3, Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., 5-3-1, 4,240, $6,000.
4, Mike DeVaney, Hemet, Calif., 6-2-1, 4,213, $4,500.
5, Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., 6-3, 4,173, $4,000.
6, Bill O’Neill, Langhorne, Pa., 5-4, 4,133, $3,500.
7, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 5-3-1, 4,110, $3,000.
8, Tom Daugherty, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 5-4, 4,056, $2,500.
9, Scott Norton, Mission Viejo, Calif., 4-4-1, 4,052, $2,200.
10, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 2-4-3, 4,026, $2,000.
11, Ronnie Russell, Marion, Ind., 3-5-1, 3,957, $1,900.
12, Scott Newell, Deland, Fla., 5-4, 3,900, $1,800.
13, Frankie Calca, Elmont, N.Y., 4-5, 3,854, $1,700.
14, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 2-7, 3,825, $1,600.
15, Tyler Wilds, Three Rivers, Mich., 2-7, 3,750, $1,550.
16, Lee Vanderhoef, Greenville, S.C., 1-8, 3,667, $1,500.

Other Cashers (after 8 games):
17, Mika Koivuniemi, Finland, 1,817, $1,000.
18, Mason Brantley, Detroit, 1,808, $950.
19, Dom Barrett, England, 1,806, $900.
20, Brett Spangler, Niles, Ohio, 1,805, $850.
21, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 1,801, $820.
22, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 1,797, $800.
23 (tie), Jim Pratt, Glendale, Ariz., and Kyle Bigelow, Troy, Ohio, 1,796, $785.
25, Stuart Williams, England, 1,790, $770.
26, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 1,789, $760.
27, Joe Paluszek, Bensalem, Pa., 1,786, $750.
28, Brian Valenta, Lockport, Ill., 1,784, $740.
29, Osku Palermaa, Finland, 1,783, $730.
30, Dave Wodka, Henderson, Nev., 1,782, $720.
31, Gregory Thompson Jr., Dublin, Calif., 1,781, $710.
32, Craig Nidiffer, Trenton, Mich., 1,779, $700.

Failed to Cash:
33, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 1,768.
34 (tie), Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., and Jeffrey Edwards, Sterling Heights, Mich., 1,767.
36 (tie), Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., and Mike Fagan, Dallas, 1,764.
38 (tie), Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan.; Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., and Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 1,763.
41, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 1,758.
42, Ronnie Sparks Jr., Ecorse, Mich., 1,756.
43, Mark Milasinovich, Macomb, Mich., 1,750.
44, Sean Swanson, Springfield, Mo., 1,747.
45, B.J. Moore II, Apex, N.C., 1,746.
46, David Haynes, Las Vegas, 1,740.
47, Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp., Mich., 1,734.
48, Nick Kokenos, St. Clair Shores, Mich., 1,730.
49, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 1,726.
50 (tie), Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., and Jason Sterner, McDonough, Ga., 1,725.
52 (tie), Todd Book, Russells Point, Ohio, and Randy Weiss, Columbia, S.C., 1,723.
54, Dick Allen, Columbia, S.C., 1,720.
55 (tie), Kevin Brophy, Oakhurst, N.J.; Josh Blanchard, Gilbert, Ariz., and E.J. Tackett, Huntington, Ind., 1,718.
58, Ildemaro Ruiz, Venezuela, 1,713.
59, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 1,709.
60, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, 1,708.
61 (tie), Martin Larsen, Sweden, and Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore., 1,707.
63, Michael Haugen Jr., Carefree, Ariz., 1,704.
64, John Szczerbinski, North Tonawanda, N.Y., 1,702.
65, Tom Hess, Urbandale, Iowa, 1,696.
66, Justin Bychkowski, Fairfield, Conn., 1,695.
67, Jake Peters, Decatur, Ill., 1,692.
68, Bob Learn Jr., Macomb, Mich., 1,687.
69, Patrick Girard, Canada, 1,686.
70, Ryan Appel, Cinnaminson, N.J., 1,682.
71, Jerry Sikora, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., 1,679.
72, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 1,676.
73, Jon VanHees, Charlestown, R.I., 1,674.
74, Kurt Pilon, Warren, Mich., 1,673.
75 (tie), Corey Miller, Grand Blanc, Mich., and Dan MacLelland, Canada, 1,670.
77, Jesse Buss, Belvidere, Ill., 1,669.
78, Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 1,668.
79, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 1,663.
80, Julio Cesar Blancas, Mexico, 1,660.
81, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 1,653.
82, John Furey, Freehold, N.J., 1,652.
83, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 1,648.
84 (tie), Justin Neiman, Warren, Mich., and Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 1,646.
86 (tie), Thomas Larsen, Denmark, and Keith Caldwell, Detroit, 1,643.
88, Rick Graham, Lancaster, Pa., 1,640.
89, Craig LeMond, Jasper, Ind., 1,637.
90, Jesse Smith, Garfield Heights, Ohio, 1,634.
91 (tie), Josh Lewis, Asheville, N.C., and Carleton Chambers, Detroit, 1,628.
93, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 1,624.
94 (tie), Michael Calhoun, Wyandotte, Mich.; Darren Andretta, New Hyde Park, N.Y., and Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan., 1,623.
97, Brett Cunningham, Clay, N.Y., 1,616.
98, Mitch Beasley, Nashville, Tenn., 1,612.
99, Mike Williams II, Montgomery, Ala, 1,606.
100 (tie), Justin Stevens, Aiea, Hawaii; Rhino Page, Dade City, Fla., and Chad Reiffer, Kentwood, Mich., 1,600.
103, Brad Miller, St. Charles, Mo., 1,599.
104, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 1,598.
105, Bo Goergen, Sanford, Mich., 1,594.
106, Andrew Graff, Las Vegas, 1,593.
107, David Shinn, West Columbia, S.C., 1,592.
108, Mike Keily, Golden, Colo., 1,582.
109, Michael Stocks, Leesburg, Va., 1,576.
110, Humberto Vazquez, Mexico, 1,575.
111, Brian Gunn, Chicago, 1,570.
112, Christopher Colosimo, Elkhorn, Wis, 1,568.
113, Kasey Normandin, Canada, 1,563.
114, Anthony LaCaze, Melrose Park, Ill., 1,561.
115, Kyle Troup, Taylorsville, N.C., 1,559.
116, Tony Campagna Jr., Hendersonville, Tenn., 1,556.
117, Chris Cundiff, Lake Station, Ind., 1,555.
118, Rick Zakrajsek, Lorain, Ohio, 1,544.
119, Johnathan Bower, Middletown, Pa., 1,543.
120, Diandra Asbaty, Chicago, 1,533.
121, Stephen Pavlinko Jr., Sewell, N.J., 1,530.
122, Jeff Roche, Dearborn, Mich., 1,525.
123, Kirby Allen, Ironton, Ohio, 1,521.
124, Kenneth Bland Jr., Germany, 1,519.
125, BJ Satkowski, Jackson, Mich, 1,509.
126, Eric Tackett, Huntington, Ind., 1,499.
127 (tie), Jonathan Russell, Rockwood, Tenn., and David Tullos, Spring, Texas, 1,482.
129, Andrew Horodecki, Norcross, Ga., 1,473.
130, Brian Robinson, Morgantown, W.V., 1,447.
131, Dustin Baker, Melbourne, Ky, 1,421.
132, J.T. (Action) Jackson, Sherman Oaks, Calif., 1,361.
133, Gradie Merritt-Foster, Park Forest, Ill., 1,349.
134, Phillip Vallar, Southgate, Mich., 1,292.
135, Thomas Biniek Jr., Wilkes-Barre, Pa., 840.

300 Games: Patrick Allen, Bill O’Neill.

PBA LEAGUE QUALIFYING STANDINGS (after 8 games; top three teams advance to Baker format stepladder finals, teams four-eight will bowl a one-ball Clash Match eliminator round for the fourth stepladder position)
1, Philadelphia Hitmen, 9,094 (Bill O’Neill 1,915, Mika Koivuniemi 1,817, Chris Loschetter 1,797, Mike DeVaney 1,845, Dick Allen 1,720). 
2, Motown Muscle, 8,971 (Mike Fagan 1,764, Tom Smallwood 1,953, Mike Scroggins 1,726, Ronnie Russell 1,859, Jesse Buss 1,669).
3, New York City WTT KingPins, 8,930 (Pete Weber 1,874, Tommy Jones 1,789, Scott Norton 1,941, Jack Jurek 1,624, John Szczerbinski 1,702).
4, L.A. X, 8,896 (Jason Belmonte 1,758, Wes Malott 1,708, Andres Gomez 1,881, Parker Bohn III 1,767, Dave Wodka 1,782).
5, Silver Lake Atom Splitters, 8,840 (Chris Barnes 1,763, Dom Barrett 1,806. Josh Blanchard 1,718. Stuart Williams 1,790, Nathan Bohr 1,763).
6, BROOKLYN STyLES, 8,756 (Sean Rash 1,886, Ryan Ciminelli 1,668, Ryan Shafer 1,801, Walter Ray Williams Jr. 1,676, Jason Sterner 1,725).
7, Pittsburgh Jack Rabbits, 8,749 (Osku Palermaa 1,783, Martin Larsen 1,707, Dan MacLelland 1,670, Patrick Allen 1,946, Thomas Larsen 1,643).
8, Dallas Strikers, 8,659 (Norm Duke 1,648, Rhino Page 1,600, Amleto Monacelli 1,768, Bryon Smith 1,707, Mike Machuga 1,936).

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.

HARDWICK AND BARNES TEAM UP TO WIN CHRIS PAUL PBA LEAGUE ALL-STARS

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 3, 2013) – In one of the highest scoring televised Baker format doubles title matches in PBA history, comedian and podcast innovator Chris Hardwick and 14-time Tour winner Chris Barnes defeated actor/comedian Kevin Hart and four-time PBA Tour titlist Bill O’Neill, 270-267, to win the 5th annual Chris Paul PBA League All-Stars tournament aired Sunday on ESPN from Lucky Strike LA Live.

Hardwick and Barnes combined for the last nine strikes in the title match to edge Hart and O’Neill for the win. O’Neill could have sewn up the match with a strike on the second ball in the 10th frame but left a 10 pin.

“This has to be the best celebrity tournament ever,” said Hardwick, who is the son of PBA Hall of Famer Billy Hardwick. “I was excited just watching it, much less bowling in it.

“They were kicking our butts at first and my mindset was to just not get slaughtered,” added Hardwick. “But Chris (Barnes) kept me pumped up and said we’ve got a long way to go in the match.

“I have to admit that the pressure of that match got me a little fatigued, but looking back at it that may have helped because being a little tired forced me to relax and not over think it.”

Barnes, one of six PBA triple crown winners, struck on all of his shots including all three in the 10th frame to win the match.

“We had our hands full with those guys,” Barnes said of the Hart/O’Neill team. “They got off to a fast start with the first three strikes, but we didn’t let them get too far away (Barnes and Hardwick started spare-strike-spare).  I reminded Chris (Hardwick) that there was a long way to go in the match and anything could happen to turn it around. He threw some clutch strikes in the fifth, seventh and ninth to keep the string going.”

The 2013 fundraiser, benefitting Paul’s CP3 Foundation, returned to a doubles format and showcased several owners and players in the new PBA League. Other Tour players competing in addition to Barnes and O’Neill were reigning Player of the Year Sean Rash, five-time Tour winner Jason Belmonte, PBA Hall of Famer Norm Duke, four-time Tour titlist Mike Fagan, three-time Tour winner Osku Palermaa, and two-time PBA regional winner Missy Parkin.

In addition to Paul, Hardwick and Hart, other PBA League owners represented were former NFL All-Pro receiver Terrell Owens, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley, and actor Jesse Williams. Other celebrities competing were Paul’s Clippers teammate Blake Griffin and former NBA star and ESPN analyst Jalen Rose.

Competition began with two Baker doubles elimination rounds of four doubles teams each with the highest-scoring team in each bracket advancing to the championship match. The Baker format requires the pro and celebrity to alternate frames in each game.

 

In the first round Hardwick, creator of the popular podcasts The Nerdist and All-Star Celebrity Bowling, and Barnes, representing their Silver Lake Atom Splitters team combined for a 199 game eliminating Rose and Fagan, representing the Motown Muscle (190), Owens and Duke, representing the Dallas Strikers (186), and Williams and Rash bowling for the BROOKLYN STyLES (143).

 

In the second round, Philadelphia area natives Hart and O’Neill of the Philadelphia Hitmen advanced to the title match by combining for a 218 outscoring Griffin and Parkin, representing Billie Jean King’s New York WTT KingPins (189), Paul and Belmonte bowling for L.A. X (182), and Woodley and Palermaa bowling for the Pittsburgh Jack Rabbits (177).

Between semifinal matches the celebrities participated in the one-ball “Super Clash” elimination competition which was won by actor Quinton Aaron, who played the role of Baltimore Ravens lineman Michael Oher in “The Blindside.” Aaron struck on his seventh shot to edge tournament host Paul who had a nine-count. Defending champion Williams was eliminated in the fifth frame.

 

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

.