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Our 80th
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Vol. 80 No. 17 June 26 - July 2, 2019 25 cents
Kris Prather Wins Inaugural PBA Playoffs, $100,000 First Prize Mike Fisch Slammed 300
PORTLAND, Maine – Kris and it showed,” he added. “I
Prather of Plainfield, Illinois, hope people can see how At Farmingdale Lanes
made critical shot after critical much I’ve matured over the FARMINGDALE, NY - Mike Jeff Bischoff rolled 279-277,
shot in defeating Bill O’Neill of past five years, and it’s real- Fisch fired a 300 game in the Pete Morreale and Brandon
Langhorne, Pennsylvania, 226- ly having an impact on the Wednesday Early Mens League at Warthen 267, Stan Lane 266, and
215 and 216-185, to win the success I’m having.” Farmingdale Lanes. Louis Cisario 264.
inaugural Professional Bowlers Prather, a 27-year-old five-
Association Playoffs year PBA Tour veteran, used Vernon Mackey Hit 300
Championship and its $100,000 a string of four strikes to
first prize at Bayside Bowl. build a lead over the strug- At Maple Lanes RVC
The championship match gling O’Neill in the first ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY - Maple Lanes RVC
aired live on FOX, concluding a game but had to convert a 3- Vernon Mackey collected twelve Dwight Flowers rolled 299-237-
13-tournament qualifying series 4-6-7-10 split in the 10th in a row for a 300 game in the 750, Tom Cargiullo, Jr 266, and
PBA photo
leading into a 24-player match Champion Kris Prather with PBA Deputy frame to win the first in the Wednesday AM Trios League at Henry Clay 246.
play elimination competition. A Commissioner Kirk von Krueger (L) and PBA “race to two points” match.
calm and confident Prather, who CEO-Commissioner Tom Clark “I threw the ball about as
entered the Playoffs as the No. 9 bad as I could in that situa- Aaron Williams Blasted 300
seed, was in complete control in claiming the cham- tion, and it showed,” Prather said. “On the spare I
pionship. told myself I make that split all the time, so I just At Majestic Lanes
“It was a lot easier thinking that no matter what wanted to hit the pin in front and if I made it, it was HOPELAWN, NJ - Aaron 266-780, Chris Fisher 224-279-
happened, I was going to help my family financially,” meant to be.” Williams earned top honors in the 255-758, Glen Orey 254-222-268-
Prather said after the biggest win of his career. “I told O’Neill, who didn’t throw back-to-back strikes Premiere Pro Shop Sunday Trios 744, Brandon Micewicz 289-279-
myself last night I couldn’t be disappointed no matter until the sixth and seventh frames, had a chance to League at Majestic Lanes blasting 743, Lorenzo Chappotin 277-254-
what. But after watching Bill’s ball motion not being win by a pin with three strikes in his 10th frame but games of 300-265-245 for a high 724, Patricia Salzone 201-279-
that great, and me throwing a few good shots that left the 2-8 on his second shot. series of 810. 232-712, and Pablo Ramirez 255-
loosened my arm swing really helped. Brian Adamson rolled 257-257- 203-245-703.
“When I came out on tour, I didn’t treat it as a job See PRATHER page 2
Shannon O’Keefe Takes PWBA Tucson Open Paul Bajorski Crushed 300
TUCSON, Ariz. – It’s not a secret bucket list, her main goal for the 2019 At Farmingdale Lanes
Shannon O’Keefe sets goals for her- PWBA Tour season was just getting
self each season. Now she checked back to basics. She said the end of the FARMINGDALE, NY - Paul Ziesig 289, John Ripple 280, Eric
off an item she called a pie-in-the-sky, 2018 season had become a grind, as Bajorski fired a 300 game in the Smyth, Sunil Kochar, and Sean
bucket-list goal. she made a push for PWBA Player of Epic Edge Trios League at Mott 279, TJ Gregg 278, Anthony
O’Keefe captured her second title of the Year, and realized she needed to Farmingdale Lanes D'Elia 277, and Chris Valentine
the season with a 259-195 victory over focus on the things she can control as Bob Gelfant rolled 299, Brian 275.
Colombia’s Maria José Rodriguez in a competitor.
the title match of the PWBA Tucson “My goal this season was getting
Lanes at Golden Pin Lanes. It marked back to playing the game and loving Brian Adamson, Edward Patri 300
O’Keefe’s 10th career title, a goal she
never thought was likely to happen in
it like when I was that 13-year-old
girl running around the softball field
At Majestic Lanes
her bowling career. PWBA photo with my hair on fire, and just doing it
HOPELAWN, NJ - Brian 246-252-1004, Havel Wright 226-
“It’s a dream,” O’Keefe said. “When Champion Shannon O’Keefe because I love the pure competition Adamson earned top honors in the 279-266-212-983, Will Harris
the tour started, I just wanted to win side of it,” O’Keefe said. “That’s my Tuesday Summer 400 Doubles 256-279-234-965, Chris Fisher
one. There were 12 years we didn’t have a tour and I goal this season, to be able to do that. It’s a lot more League blasting games of 278- 217-256-266-225-964,Vinny R
always wondered, ‘If there was one, would I have been fun bowling that way than with putting pressure on 238-300-242 for a high series of Medvetz 243-244-211-253-951,
able to win a title?’ And now I’m sitting at 10.” yourself.” 1058. Edward Patri shot 213-249- Ryan Poli 249-249-244-934, and
While the 10 career wins checked off an item on her 300-208-970. Jen Daunno 256-267-226-932.
See O’KEEFE Page 2 Tom DeCegile rolled 259-247-
2 SPORTS REPORTER June 26 - July 2, 2019
O’KEEFE Continued from Page 1 PBA REGIONAL PRATHER Continued from Page 1
In the title match, O’Keefe struck on five of her first six shots against UPDATE “I was unsure of what I was doing,” O’Neill admitted. “In hindsight I
Rodriguez. The strike in the sixth included the 2 pin and 9 pin tripping • Heading into the 4th of July should have played the lanes a lot straighter. It was more a tactical error
late, and following a made spare in the seventh, O’Keefe struck out to weekend, Bowl 10 Fairborn will on my part. That second shot in the 10th frame I thought was pretty
capture the title. host the PBA50 Fairborn Central good, but that’s what happens when you’re not playing the lanes prop-
“I threw every single one of those shots perfect; well, at least that’s Classic presented by Roto Grip erly.”
what it felt like,” O’Keefe said. “So, for it to result in a win and title No. Monday-Wednesday, July 1-3, in Prather, who won his only PBA Tour title earlier in the season in the
10, it’s one I’m going to remember.” Fairborn, Ohio. Closing the
Rodriguez made the title match with a 247-216 victory over Liz
PBA Scorpion Championship during the PBA World Series of Bowling
extended holiday weekend July 5-
Kuhlkin of Schenectady, New York. Rodriguez earned the No. 2 seed X, retained control in game two with a string of three strikes after
7 will be the PBA50 Greater
with a blistering performance on Saturday that included averaging 245 O’Neill failed to convert the 4-9 split in the first frame and again strug-
Freeport Midwest/Central Open at
during the Round of 12 to jump from 14th into third. gled to put together consecutive strikes. When O’Neill finally put
4 Seasons Bowl in Freeport, Ill.;
“You always have a plan when you come into bowl and normally it together a double, he left the 3-6-9-10 in the eighth frame and failed to
the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort
doesn’t work,” Rodriguez said. “Then you have to search through bowl- Southwest Doubles presented by convert, basically sealing the victory for Prather.
ing balls; that’s why we have so many balls. But we had a plan, we had DV8 at FireLake Bowling Center “This was the first time, in the whole playoffs, I had the lead early. In
four balls and we just used those four balls.” in Shawnee, Okla., and the every other match, except one, I had to come from behind,” Prather said,
Kuhlkin also had made some big moves during the day to reach the PBA/PBA50 Vanessa Brown noting he was surprised by how well the Bayside Bowl fans embraced
stepladder and was nearly perfect in the opening match against Danielle Homes West Open doubleheader him considering he’d never bowled in Maine before this year. “These
McEwan of Stony Point, New York. The duo matched strikes for the first presented by Track at Yosemite fans are incredible. I never thought I’d be accepted into a place I’m not
four frames before McEwan had a 9-count in the fifth. Lanes in Modesto, Calif. from, like I have been in Portland. You hear about how enthusiastic these
But Kuhlkin kept striking and threw 11 consecutive strikes before ● For complete PBA Regional fans are, but you don’t really know until you experience this place.”
leaving the 9 pin on her final shot in a 299-226 victory. schedules, rules and entry infor- The 2019 Go Bowling! PBA Tour will resume competition June 28-30
There were two perfect games rolled during Saturday’s competition. mation, visit pba.com, open the when the Lubbock Sports Shootout presented by Ebonite at South Plains
Sydney Brummett of Wichita, Kansas, had a 300 in Game 4 of the “schedules” tab and click on PBA Lanes in Lubbock, Texas, kicks off the PBA Summer Tour and USBC
Round of 32 and Kelly Kulick of Union, New Jersey, had 12 consecu- Regional Tours to find the event(s) Cup points competition. The PBA Summer Tour will be livestreamed in
tive strikes in the opening game of the Round of 12. in your are its entirety by the PBA’s online streaming partner, FloBowling.
BowlTV.com provided live coverage of all rounds of the event.
Competitors at the PWBA Tucson Open bowled two eight-game qual-
ifying blocks on Friday and then the field was cut to the top 32. Another THE MAGIC AT MAJESTIC
eight-game block on Saturday morning narrowed the field to 12 players,
who bowled six more games with the 30-games pinfall total determin- Steve Osiadacz 1015 Pete Zafian 688
ing the stepladder finalists. HOPELAWN, NJ - Steve Osiadacz led the scoring in HOPELAWN, NJ - Pete Zafian led the scoring in the
Visit PWBA.com for the latest news, complete schedule and player the Tuesday Summer 400 Doubles League rolling Merck League rolling games of 245-245 for a high
biographies. games of 247-268-253-247 for a high series of 1015. series of 688.
Chris Fisher rolled 249-213-245-258-965, John Tom Vickery rolled 212-223-229-664, David
Fylpczuk 226-216-266-256-964, Yanni Kornias 236- Guarino 213-234-203-650, and Tony Pucci 223.
236-287-935,and Leif Erickson, Jr 227-212-247-246- Ryan Micewicz 650
932. HOPELAWN, NJ - Ryan Micewicz rolled 212-246-
Brian Adamson 748 650, Tom Macintosh 244, Devang Triedi 234, and
HOPELAWN, NJ - Brian Adamson led the scoring in Steve Curtis 232 in the Wakefern League
the Guys and Dolls League blasting games of 264- Brian Adamson 998
205-279 for a high series of 748 HOPELAWN, NJ - Brian Adamson topped the scor-
Eric Velazquez rolled 223-241-258-722, Ken ing in the Tuesday Summer 400 Doubles League fir-
Martino 227-255-673, Gary Berish 254-226-673, and ing games of 279-206-259-254 for a high series of
Chris Schenck 256. 998.
Marcus Huart 885 Jen Daunno blasted 245-259-243-233-980, Jim
HOPELAWN, NJ - Marcus Huart led the scoring in Chessere 290-203-212-245-950, Edward Patri 234-
the Wednesday PBA Sport Shot Singles League blast- 234-279-943, John Syslo 279-234-216-927, Richard
ing games of 226-214-248 for a high series of 885. Funk III 247-290-203-919, Pat Bowler 286-258-919,
Greg Tack rolled 240-214-847, Rusty Thomsen 235- and Andrew Funk 278-258-916.
210-219-845, Chris DiPaola 243-804, Lauren Robert Power 645
Hoffman 203-788, and Tyler Karpinecz 246-785. HOPELAWN, NJ - Robert Power paced the scoring
Casey Trumblety 711 in the South Shore League rolling games of 230-232
HOPELAWN, NJ - Casey Trumblety led the scoring for a high series of 645
in the Guys and Dolls League rolling games of 235- Matt DAndrea rolled 215, Brian MacDonald
254-222 for a high series of 711. 213,and Brian Peccerillo 209.
Eric Velazquez rolled 245-219-216-680, Phil In the Wakefern League Steve Curtis rolled 252,
Hoover 215-247-217-679, Ray Velazquez 32-236- Eliga Johnson 245, Ryan Micewicz 236, and Keith
210-678, and Brian Flesch 265. Micewicz 225.
June 26 - July 2, 2019 SPORTS REPORTER 3
Kris Prather Climbs to Third in FloBowling’s “Power Rankings” Luby Publishing President Keith Hamilton
With his surprising victory in the inaugural PBA Playoffs, previously-under estimated Kris Named to BVL Board of Directors
Prather got some respect from the unofficial pollsters who compile the FloBowling “power
FAIRFAX, Va. – BVL (Bowlers To Veterans
ranking” list, moving up from seventh to third on the most current list.
Link) announced that Luby Publishing Inc.
president Keith Hamilton, of Park Ridge,
Prather, who defeated Bill O’Neill in the “race to two points” championship match, won
Ill., has been elected to the BVL Board of
$100,000 by outlasting a field of 23 of the world’s premier players in 2019. Heading into the
Directors. Hamilton currently oversees
start of the summer season June 29 in Lubbock, Texas, FloBowling’s top 10 are as follows Luby Publishing Inc., the world leader in
with the player’s previous ranking in parenthesis. To review the rationale behind publishing of bowling and billiard publica-
FloBowling’s ratings of players, visit FloBowling.com: tions.
1, Jason Belmonte (previous ranking: 1); 6, Dom Barrett (4); “Keith has been a driving force for posi-
tive change throughout the bowling indus-
2, Jakob Butturff (2); 7, Kyle Sherman (5); try for decades, and we’re grateful to add
3, Kris Prather (7); 8, Anthony Simonsen (8); his voice to the BVL Board,” said BVL
4, EJ Tackett (3); 9, Sean Rash (14); Board Chair John LaSpina. “He brings a
broad perspective and will be an enthusias-
5, Bill O’Neill (6); 10, Rhino Page (10). tic advocate for the transformative impact
that BVL can make for veterans.”
“The idea of being able to serve our veterans is a privilege,” said Hamilton. “BVL
showcases the very best of what the bowling community can do for others, so I am
grateful for the opportunity to play a role in their mission to enhance the lives of every
\ FNEM[
generation of veterans.”
BVL is bowling’s own and oldest charity, raising more than $50 million dollars since
1942 to provide recreation therapy grants at VA hospitals and clinics for America’s vet-
erans and active duty service members. Fundraising events in bowling and entertain-
ment centers occur throughout the year, with many efforts centralized around National
Eric McKenna, Margaux Lesser Named 2018-19 North Jersey Bowlers of The Year
By Vince Albrecht BOYS BOWLER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS:
ENGLEWOOD, NJ – After patiently waiting since March, the sixteen student-athletes Eric McKenna, Johann Gamo and Joseph Mahoney.
nominated for North Jersey.com Boy and Girl Bowler of the Year, joined dozens of other GIRLS BOWLER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS:
Bergen and Passaic County highschoolers selected for their exceptional skill in sports cov- Margaux Lesser, Mia Aish and Marissa Cosentini.
ering the Fall, Winter and Spring seasons. The gala Sports Awards ceremony, sponsored BOYS BOWLER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES:
by Englewood Health was held last evening at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Eric McKenna, Park Ridge sophomore Joseph Mahoney, Becton senior Trevor Deliantis,
Englewood with special guest Sam Darnold. The New York Jets quarterback engaged in a Clifton seniors’ Johann Gamo and Joe Paolillo, Fair Lawn senior Nick Greco, Pascack
spirited question and answer session with the Record’s Andy Vasquez, the Jets’ beat writer. Valley senior Trevor Lauber and West Milford sophomore Ralph “RJ” Utter.
For those unable to be in attendance, the presentations were streamed on the North GIRLS BOWLER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES:
Jersey.com web site. Leonia senior Gabrielle Capalad, Wayne Valley junior Marissa Cosentini, Teaneck jun-
The North Jersey Boys Bowler of the Year honor went to North Arlington senior Eric iors’ Mia Aish and Margaux Lesser, Fair Lawn sophomore Krista Eskow, Holy Angels
McKenna who, among his accomplishments, had North Jersey’s high average [228.8], a junior Amelia Brunda, Mahwah sophomore Michaella Raab and Hackensack senior
perfect game and two “800+” sets. The Girls Bowler of the Year went to Teaneck junior Arielle Wallace.
Margaux Lesser, who was one of two distaffers with “200+” averages [Wayne Valley jun-
ior Marissa Cosentini being the other], finishing with 206.2 in the Big North Conference. To all the nominees in 2018-19, congratulations……you are all champions.