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Vol. 75 No. 1 March 5 - 11, 2014 ROCKVILLE CTR, NY John Hodge topped the Friday Night Mixed League firing games of 262-269-278 for a high series of 809 at Rockville Centre Lanes. LODI, NJ - Matt Donders tossed a 300-762 high series in the Friday G&L League at Lodi Lanes 50 cents
Jason Belmonte Becomes First in Nearly 50 Years To Successfully Defend USBC Masters Title
By Lucas Wiseman - USBC NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ Australia's Jason Belmonte became the first bowler in nearly 50 years to successfully defend a United States Bowling Congress Masters title when he defeated EJ Tackett of Huntington, Ind., 221-177. Belmonte, the reigning Professional Bowlers Association Player of the Year, opened up a big lead early and eased to the title at Brunswick Zone Carolier. With the victory, Belmonte, who earned $50,000 for the win, is just the third player to successfully defend a Masters title, joining Billy Welu (1964 and 1965) and Dick Hoover (1956 and 1957). "This tournament is so difficult to win," said Belmonte, who won his ninth career PBA Tour title and his third major. "I always have high expectations for myself, but to go down in history as the third one and first in 50 years to win back-to-back is a huge honor." In the title match, Belmonte got out of the gates quickly and took advantage of a slow start by Tackett, the reigning PBA Rookie of the Year. Belmonte started with
In addition to making history with consecutive Masters victories Belmonte also added his name to a short list of players who have won back-to-back major titles. He won the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions in January and is the seventh player in history to win back-to-back majors. In the semifinal, Belmonte hung on for a one-pin victory over Michael Haugen Jr. of Phoenix, 235-234, by putting a spare on the board in the final frame and getting nine pins on the fill ball. Belmonte, who entered the championship round as the fifth seed, took down No. 3 seed Tom Smallwood of Saginaw, Mich., 202-173, and opened the stepladder finals with a 227-214 win over fourth seed Ryan Ciminelli of Cheektowaga, N.Y. The Masters, which featured a total prize fund of $315,000, is part of the World Tenpin Bowling Association World Bowling Tour. A sold-out field of 468 players from 15 countries started the week in their quest to take home the trophy.
Matt Donders 300 at Lodi Lanes Joe Traina, Jr., Mike Gelman 300 At Farmingdale Lanes
USBC photo
Jason Belmonte
FARMINGDALE, NY Joe Traina, Jr. and Mike Gelman each blasted a 300 game in the Thursday 3-Man League at Farmingdale Lanes. Curtis Brown shot a near perfect 299 game followed by Rob Haines posting 296
245-267 to tally an 808 for the session high set. Jeremy Schaffer rolled 279-241735, Joe Novara 289-730, Sean Mott 216-256-258-730, Doug Feldman 225-234-279-738, and Andrew Carrig 248-249-232-729.
a spare before rattling off four consecutive strikes to take command. The match wasn't settled, however, until the final frame when Belmonte converted the 4 pin and struck on his final ball to shut out Tackett. "I wish I would have had a chance, but Jason did what he had to do to win," Tackett said. "I'm disappointed I didn't win, but it's an experience I'm going to learn from this and hopefully next time I can win."
STATEN ISLAND, NY - Tom Barnes hit a 300 game for a high series of 793 at the 39th Annual New Year Singles Classic Top Qualifiers at Rabs Country Lanes. Tim McAuliffe, Jr. shot 793, Dean Dunleavy and Steve Soss 772, Mike Endress 766, George
Cretella 762, Joe Aballo 759, Joe Coniglio 752, Tom Dinardo 278751, Robert Rosas 748, Dan Twomey 742, Joe Lamp 737, John Eadicicco 736, Joe Stillman 735, Joey Weissenstein 734, John Beranello, Jr. 732, and Robyn Buschini 730.
ROCKVILLE CTR, NY Joe Austin, Jason French, and Gary Robertson rolled 300in the Monday RVC 4-Man Classic. Mark Slade and Ben Gregoretti
Joe Austin, Jason French, Gary Robertson Roll 300 At Rockville Centre Lanes
shot 279, Sunil Kochar 278-277766, Mark Deluca 276, Tom Saitta, Bob Froehlich, and Matthew Rose 268, and John Schilling and Tim Swanson 267.
SPORTS REPORTER
Defending Champion New York City WTT KingPins Advance to PBA League Semifinal Round
Pete Weber and friends to meet L.A. X for berth in PBA League Elias Cup finals
By Bill Vint - PBA
Jen Russo, runner-up and 2012 and 2008 Queen, Michelle Spratford Kane, this year's Queen also won in 2010, both here with Brian Rosseter, tournament manager. The Monmouth County 41st Annual Queens Tournament was held at Middletown Harmony Bowl. Thirty-Nine of the top bowlers of Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex County bowled five games over five pairs of lanes. The field was then cut to the top 10 bowlers, who bowled an additional three games. Michelle Spratford Kane was the leader after both sets, and top seed going into the step ladder format. In the first match, Margaret Taylor of Monmouth County defeated 5th Place Erica Perez 214 to 206. In the second match Robyn Buschini defeated Margaret Taylor 247 to 169. Robyn Buschini was then defeated by Jen Russo 279 to 237. In the final match, the top seed, Michelle Spratford Kane (the 2010 Queen) defeated Jen Russo (the 2012 and 2008 Queen) 235 to 224.
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ALLEN PARK, Mich. The defending champion New York City WTT KingPins have advanced to the semifinal round of the 2014 Professional Bowlers Association League Elias Cup competition, defeating last seasons runner-up team, the Motown Muscle, 4-2, at Thunderbowl Lanes. The second of four singleelimination matches in the 2014 PBA League series, pitting the top two teams from the inaugural PBA League season, aired on ESPN. The KingPins, led by PBA Hall of Famer Pete Weber and owned by womens sports legend Billie Jean King, will meet newly-crowned PBA Player of the Year Jason Belmonte and his L.A. X team, owned by Los Angeles Clippers star Chris Paul, in a semifinal round match with the winner earning a berth in the Elias Cup finals on Feb. 23 at Brunswick Zone Carolier in North Brunswick, N.J. It was a total team effort, said KingPins manager Carolyn Dorin-Ballard after a 227-172 victory in the Baker team finale that gave New York City three points and the win. The guys communicated well, they read the lanes the right way and we never gave up. We got a couple of bad breaks in doubles and trios, but it all came together in the team event. Were here to win, Weber said. (Team bowling) is a little different for me. I love it because I grew up around team bowling. Dad (PBA Hall of Famer Dick Weber) being part of the Budweisers made it easy for me to do, so I love it. I love having four other guys to rely on. In the opening singles battle between team captains, Weber
PBA photo
New York City WTT KingPins manager Carolyn Dorin-Ballard announcer KimberlyPressler and L.A.X manager Del Ballard Jr.
staked his team to a 1-0 lead with a 232-225 win over Motowns Mike Fagan. Weber jumped ahead with a spare and four strikes, but failed to convert the 7-10 and 3-4-7-10 splits in the next two frames. Fagan took the lead, but Weber rediscovered the strike pocket, throwing another four-bagger for the win. After a first-frame spare in the alternate-ball doubles match, Motowns Chris Loschetter and Fagan put together a string of eight strikes to run away from John Szczerbinski and Weber, 268-214, to even the match at 11. Motown, presented by Barbasol and owned by Detroit native and former Pittsburgh Steelers star Jerome Bettis, then won the Baker-format trios point with a 247-234 victory over the KingPins, presented by GEICO. Motowns Mike Scroggins, Tom Daugherty and Brian Kretzer finished the game with five consecutive strikes to
cancel out a five-strike New York City rally by Scott Norton, Jake Peters and Stuart Williams late in the game. New York City kept its hopes for an Elias Cup repeat alive by winning the five-player Baker Team finale, worth three points. Motown struggled on the left lane, getting only one strike in the first five frames to fall behind by 14 pins. A 6-7 split by Scroggins in the seventh frame further hampered Motown, and consecutive strikes by New Yorks Williams, Peters and Szczerbinski opened up a 47pin lead as the KingPins ran away with the team win. The victory also was a personal triumph for Dorin-Ballard over her husband, PBA Hall of Famer Del Ballard Jr., who is Motowns team manager. There was a family bet, she laughed, but I dont want to tell anyone what it was. Were going to go out and eat and celebrate, but everyone knows were pretty competitive.
SPORTS REPORTER
ROCKAWAY ROLLERS
Rockaway Mixed: Steven Hanveld 279-783, Sean Cook 278-700, Manuel Matias 267-687, Kara Cook 257-667, Linda Humes 226. Thursday Night Mixed: Justin Ragucci 268, Colin Beasty 256, Kevin Helm 248, Dezso Benzo 246-646, Anne Tursky 211, Melissa Peachman 204-560. Lake Hiawatha Men: Brian Bodemann 287-700, Jay McGrath 270-743, Mike Harris 255, Dave Martorana 255, Maryann Abasto 217-564. PBA League: Philip St. Amand 212, Brian Scott 207, Ed Galuska 205, Gary Malone 203, Ken Yokobosky 202, John Briggs 200, Robert Rhodes 198, Joseph Caloger 196, Liesl Apgar 227, Tami Mehesy 198, Dori Tingoli 171. Rockaway Woman: Annette Rossi 225-522, Tamy Baldwin 222-603, Pat Somers 212-508, Marybeth Kanouse 210-500. Nor Bu: Keith Helbourg 267-704, Chris Bakos 255, Phil Dattolo 243, Stacey Titus 224-582. Rockaway Foursome: Brian Whitmore 278-691, Joe Kentos 248-692, Terri Galovic 216, Joyce Hulbert 558. Morris Hills Mixed: Andy Romo 200-495, Barry Webb 186-484, Fred Perry 169-431, Pam Antoniello 191-488, Beth Wilimas 175-507. Rockaway Youth Programs Bumper Busters: Dominic Mellifiore 105, Ricky Rodriguez 100, Michael Mellifore 85. Lucky Strikers: Colin Fisher 95-269, Samantha Fisher 130-300. Ball Busters: Jack Cook 247-688, Zachary Clark 217-611, Brandon Kwestel 215-611, Stephanie Sihlanick 179-479. Monday Rec: Alexander Schulte 86-140, Kyra Morris 102147, Ashley Elias 82-149. Gutter Busters: Jared Glickman 90-161. Weekend Warriors/Sizzlin Strikers: Nicholas Thiese 204-503, Mark Howarth 175-467, Benjamin Cruz 145-356. Emma Theise 181-441, Gabby Wyzga 108-281, Chelsey Cruz 81-218.
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AT FARMINGDALE LANES
Lou Rimi 789
FARMINGDALE, NY Lou Rimi topped the Friday Late Mixed firing games of 244266-279 for a high series of 789. Joe Johnson s hot 248-266-267-781, Tony Caridi 256-234-235-725, Brian Selwin 228-279-207-714, Wingo Hom 258-231705, Gary Haines 2692-37, Joe Camacho 268, and Shaun Ihasz 257-242-706.
SPORTS REPORTER
STATEN ISLAND, NY Jason Pintus topped the scoring in the Mike Masseroli Memorial League firing games of 251278 for a high series of 768, Phil Arcuria shot 254-269-746, Chris Ponisi 243-244-258-745, Joe Calendrillo 246-245-728, Anthony By John Jennings Migrone 269-724, Bob Jacobson 255HOWELL, NJ - Newcomer Greg Chierchia had high series 689-256 in the Sunday Mixed Nuts 689, Allan Rabinowitz 243-683, Sal League at Howell Lanes. Annarumma 676, Mike Williams 266David Rivera improved four pins with a 672 set highlighted by a 258 game. Under tough condi- 674, Joe Ambroso 267-665, Steve tions, Robert Taylor was third high series pitching 651-257. Leading the women was Ann Samolyk DeMaria 257-660, Kevin Ng 245, and with a 606 highlighted by211 game. Bryan Mullins 244.
SPORTS REPORTER
Joey Weisenstein shot 228-222-267-717, Dave Eisenberg 233-255-223-711, Dave Bishop 234-224-242-700, Ted Lapka 251257-695, Rodger Meaney 256-236-202-694, and Willy Maldonado 219-226-236-681. In the Thursday Mixed Nuts League Jeff Pasewark hit 222-617, Don E. Hellhake 223, Jeff Kubinak 217, and Jeany Kubinak 211.