The East's Most Read Bowling Weekly

Our 80th
Anniversary
Year
Sports Reporter
The Nation's Leading Bowling Tournament Newspaper Since 1940
3
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
O’KEEFE Continued from Page 1
In the title match, O’Keefe struck on five of her first six shots against
Rodriguez. The strike in the sixth included the 2 pin and 9 pin tripping
late, and following a made spare in the seventh, O’Keefe struck out to
capture the title.
“I threw every single one of those shots perfect; well, at least that’s
what it felt like,” O’Keefe said. “So, for it to result in a win and title No.
10, it’s one I’m going to remember.”
Rodriguez made the title match with a 247-216 victory over Liz
Kuhlkin of Schenectady, New York. Rodriguez earned the No. 2 seed
with a blistering performance on Saturday that included averaging 245
during the Round of 12 to jump from 14th into third.
“You always have a plan when you come into bowl and normally it
doesn’t work,” Rodriguez said. “Then you have to search through bowl-
ing balls; that’s why we have so many balls. But we had a plan, we had
four balls and we just used those four balls.”
Kuhlkin also had made some big moves during the day to reach the
stepladder and was nearly perfect in the opening match against Danielle
McEwan of Stony Point, New York. The duo matched strikes for the first
four frames before McEwan had a 9-count in the fifth.
But Kuhlkin kept striking and threw 11 consecutive strikes before
leaving the 9 pin on her final shot in a 299-226 victory.
There were two perfect games rolled during Saturday’s competition.
Sydney Brummett of Wichita, Kansas, had a 300 in Game 4 of the
Round of 32 and Kelly Kulick of Union, New Jersey, had 12 consecu-
tive strikes in the opening game of the Round of 12.
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
eight-game block on Saturday morning narrowed the field to 12 players,
who bowled six more games with the 30-games pinfall total determin-
ing the stepladder finalists.
Visit PWBA.com for the latest news, complete schedule and player
biographies.
June 26 - July 2, 2019
PBA REGIONAL PRATHER Continued from Page 1
UPDATE “I was unsure of what I was doing,” O’Neill admitted. “In hindsight I
• Heading into the 4th of July should have played the lanes a lot straighter. It was more a tactical error
weekend, Bowl 10 Fairborn will on my part. That second shot in the 10th frame I thought was pretty
host the PBA50 Fairborn Central good, but that’s what happens when you’re not playing the lanes prop-
Classic presented by Roto Grip erly.”
Monday-Wednesday, July 1-3, in Prather, who won his only PBA Tour title earlier in the season in the
Fairborn, Ohio. Closing the
PBA Scorpion Championship during the PBA World Series of Bowling
extended holiday weekend July 5-
X, retained control in game two with a string of three strikes after
7 will be the PBA50 Greater
O’Neill failed to convert the 4-9 split in the first frame and again strug-
Freeport Midwest/Central Open at
gled to put together consecutive strikes. When O’Neill finally put
4 Seasons Bowl in Freeport, Ill.;
together a double, he left the 3-6-9-10 in the eighth frame and failed to
the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort
Southwest Doubles presented by convert, basically sealing the victory for Prather.
DV8 at FireLake Bowling Center “This was the first time, in the whole playoffs, I had the lead early. In
in Shawnee, Okla., and the every other match, except one, I had to come from behind,” Prather said,
PBA/PBA50 Vanessa Brown noting he was surprised by how well the Bayside Bowl fans embraced
Homes West Open doubleheader him considering he’d never bowled in Maine before this year. “These
presented by Track at Yosemite fans are incredible. I never thought I’d be accepted into a place I’m not
Lanes in Modesto, Calif. from, like I have been in Portland. You hear about how enthusiastic these
● For complete PBA Regional fans are, but you don’t really know until you experience this place.”
schedules, rules and entry infor- The 2019 Go Bowling! PBA Tour will resume competition June 28-30
mation, visit pba.com, open the when the Lubbock Sports Shootout presented by Ebonite at South Plains
“schedules” tab and click on PBA Lanes in Lubbock, Texas, kicks off the PBA Summer Tour and USBC
Regional Tours to find the event(s) Cup points competition. The PBA Summer Tour will be livestreamed in
in your are its entirety by the PBA’s online streaming partner, FloBowling.
THE MAGIC AT MAJESTIC
Steve Osiadacz 1015 Pete Zafian 688
HOPELAWN, NJ - Steve Osiadacz led the scoring in HOPELAWN, NJ - Pete Zafian led the scoring in the
the Tuesday Summer 400 Doubles League rolling Merck League rolling games of 245-245 for a high
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

Jib Lanes~Flushing (718) 591 - 0600 www.JibLanes.com

Maple Lanes RVC~Rockville Centre (516) 678 - 3010 www.RVCLanes.com
Farmingdale Lanes~Farmingdale (631) 249 - 4300 www.FarmingdaleLanes.com
Coram Country Lanes~Coram (631) 732 - 2022 www.CoramCountryLanes.com
Countryside Lanes~Clearwater, FL (727) 796 - 8100 www.CountrysideLanes.net
4 SPORTS REPORTER
One of the items that I always
enjoy reviewing each week is the
“Pages from the Past” offered by
Carol Mancini. The recent offering
part two of the year 1982.
PBA photo
Barry Asher
While the 1970’s and 1980’s
were my heyday in bowling, 1982
was a difficult year for me on the
bowling participation front,
because I had just moved to AMF’s
World Headquarters in New York.
The bowling year had already
begun, and I could not find a
league to join! Hard to believe
today, but in 1982 all of the lanes
were full, and if you didn’t join a
league in September, it was virtual-
ly impossible to find a spot.
On Long Island, an area to the
east of New York City, and includ-
ing the boroughs of Queens and
Brooklyn, there were close to 100
bowling centers, and over 67,000
male league bowlers.
And yet, no league openings!
Thankfully I had managed to log
21 games in a league at AMF All
Star Lanes in Skokie, Illinois,
before moving to the Big Apple, so
I was eligible for tournament
bowling with a 229 standard.
Going into the review of 1982, I
knew that I would not be reading
about any 300’s or 800’s by yours
truly, but it’s still enjoyable to spot
names and locations and reminisce
about the good old days.
After reading about Helen Duval
(300 game at age 66) and Don
Johnson (22 strikes in a row, but no
300), I spotted a blurb about slow
June 26 - July 2, 2019
Did Slow Bowling Destroy League Bowling?
by Dave Williams
bowling. “Officials (ABC, State many years. By process of elimi- 9:00PM shift. see a return to the league bowling
and Local) were all trying to find nation we found that 5:30PM and Another critical factor in all of popularity that peaked in 1975.
the solution to slow bowling. The 8:00PM were the ideal starting this was a change in American Perhaps the most critical change
big complaint was that 6 o’clock times for “leaguers,” with four- lifestyles, when working hours in American lifestyles has been
leagues were not getting off the member teams at 5:30PM and four were becoming progressively the vast amount of options to
lanes for the 9 o’clock leagues.” or five-member teams at 8:00PM. more early, to the detriment of leisure time activities. When I was
That blurb reminded me that one Did it work? Not really. With the 9:00PM leagues. But slow bowl- a youngster, the bowling center
of the first committees that Woody exception of some bowling centers ing was certainly a factor, as well had it all - a place to meet, eat and
Woodruff asked me to join upon in the southern United States, the as DUI enforcement. recreate for all ages. Believe it or
my advancement to AMF in leagues were just too territorial There are exceptions to every not, there were actually more
Westbury, New York, was the Pace about their time slot, and eventual- rule, especially in areas with a bowling centers (12,000) in the
of Bowling Committee. Because I ly went back to the traditional high density of bowlers as a ratio United States in 1975 than there
was one of the only league bowlers 6:30PM start. The result was a to the number of lane beds. The were McDonalds (10,000).
in the “carpet section” of AMF gradual decaying of 9:00PM aforementioned AMF All Star All of these changes in
Headquarters, I soon became a leagues, until we wound up with Lanes, just a few miles north of American lifestyles, plus the slow
member of many committees our current situation which con- Wrigley Field and the Chicago bowling phenomenon, makes
designed to enhance the game of sists of one shift of leagues on city limits, was a case in point. A Carol Mancini’s answer to the
bowling. Sunday through Thursday typical evening at AMF All Star, a league bowling demise all the
A quick trip to my mini-storage evenings, with Friday and unique facility that was featured more appropriate… “JUST
warehouse archives to locate a Saturday reserved for the more in Life Magazine at their Grand DON’T HAVE ANY
Pace of Bowling folder netted lucrative casual “open play” Opening, included 12 bowlers per LEAGUES!” Hopefully the big
nothing. It’s true that while I am bowlers. lane, with 3-member teams at bowling operators like Bowlero,
not a hoarder, I do have a 4:45PM, 4-member teams at Round 1, Punch Bowl and the like
problem throwing away 6:30PM, and 5-member teams at will come to understand the
paper (files, clippings, 8:45PM. importance and profitability of
brochures, etc.). So while It’s doubtful that we will ever league bowling.
I’m sure that I have that
folder somewhere, I will try
to remember as much as
possible from memory for
the purposes of this column.
The Pace of Bowling com-
mittee, headed by Pete
Santora of Fairlanes (one of
the truly great men in bowl-
ing, who passed away in
2012), was charged with dif-
ferent ways to address the
problem of slow bowling.
Fairlanes took mechanical
methods as a potential
means to speed up the game,
while AMF and Bowling
Corporation of America
PBA photo
(BCA) chose league starting
PBA Hall of Famer Barry Asher, with 10 PBA
times as an option. titles, was the original "slow bowler" on the
It’s interesting to note that tour, and had difficulty getting started in his
while the American approach during televised matches.
Bowling Congress did not
adopt the mechanical solutions For those of you that are old
provided by Fairlanes, including a enough to remember, league bowl-
30 second time clock light, the ing was once promoted as a “one
Professional Bowlers Association shift” circumstance, with leagues
did adopt those policies for slow beginning at 7:30PM. Because of
bowlers on the tour. the popularity of bowling in the
In terms of league starting times, 1960’s and 1970’s, the demand
AMF and BCA gave this a very necessitated the change from
strong effort over the course of 7:30PM to 6:30PM, to allow for a
June 26 - July 2, 2019 SPORTS REPORTER 5

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

B OW L BVL Month each November.

Only $20.00 Per Month!
G#/'5'4#;WT 8'4;&#;^
Offer Valid June, July, & August
ͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺ
EĂŵĞ͗ͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺWŚŽŶĞ͗ͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺ
ĚĚƌĞƐƐ͗ͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺ
ŵĂŝů͗ͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺͺ
In addition to Hamilton, the BVL Board of Directors is comprised of business com-
munity leaders and representatives from the United States Bowling Congress (USBC)
and the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA).
Hamilton has been a part of Luby Publishing Inc. (LPI) since 1981, starting as an
intern with the organization’s flagship publication, Bowlers Journal, and joining the
business full-time after college to work with his mentor, USBC and PBA Hall of Famer,
Mort Luby. Hamilton was named president of LPI in 1994 and has often dedicated his
time to serve in many volunteer roles throughout the industry. Currently, Hamilton is
the president of the International Bowling Media Association (IBMA) and formerly
served as the president and chairman of the International Bowling Museum and Hall of
Fame (2011-14) and chairman of the IBPSIA Advisory Board (2005-2009).
During his three-decade-plus tenure in the industry, Hamilton has more than doubled
the size of LPI, and was also at the helm as the longest-running sports magazine in the
nation, Bowlers Journal International, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013.
While serving on their Board, Hamilton also played a major role in the building of the
International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame in Arlington, Texas, as well the muse-
um’s first satellite location in Reno, Nev. In his role with the IBMA, he led the charge
to resurrect and grow the IBMA Chuck Pezzano Scholarship by developing a corporate
partnership program that led to an increase in funding and scholarship payout to the
winner.
Hamilton has received the “Friends of IBPSIA Award” in two consecutive years
(2014-15). He has also earned the Start-Up of the Year Award from the Niche Magazine
Conference in 2007 for Pro Shop Operator and the prestigious BPAA Special Projects
Award in 2005 for the creation of Bowling Center Management, the official publication
of BPAA. Hamilton has also won USBC and IBMA writing awards for his monthly edi-
torial featured in Bowlers Journal International and was awarded the BPAA Media
Award in 2018.
Hamilton earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of
Notre Dame and a B.A. in Business Administration from Western Illinois University.
He and his wife Kathleen reside in Park Ridge, Ill, and have one son, Ryan.
For more information on BVL programs, visit www.BVL.org and follow BVL on
Twitter and Facebook.
6 SPORTS REPORTER June 26 - July 2, 2019
AT FARMINGDALE LANES AT JIB LANES
Joseph Kotowicz 299 Ed Ziemak 299-1004
FARMINGDALE, NY - Joseph Kotowicz blasted a high game of 299 in FLUSHING, NY - Ed Ziemak topped the scoring in the 2 x 4 Doubles League blasting games of 237-233-
the Tuesday Nite Owls League. 235-299 for a high series of 1004.
Stephen Pasciuto rolled 266, and Rainer Latteier and Mike Kilfoil 248. Brett Lee rolled 226-247-228-268-969, Shawn Wyatt 288-215-228-229-960, Greg Fuji 237-242-207-269-
Cameron Potts, Al Houdlett 279 955, Ogie Lawsin 256-232-268-947, Dave Ehrlich 255-221-257-917, Jessica Rosas 247-252-210-902, and
FARMINGDALE, NY - Cameron Potts and Al Houdlett each rolled a Silk Nixon 237-213-226-225-901.
high game of 279 in the Wednesday Early Men Handicap League. Kevin O'Neill 669
Brendan Oakley shot 265, Scott Sheehan 264-257, Craig Koppell 258, FLUSHING, NY - Kevin O'Neill led the scoring in the Midweek Mixers League rolling games of 229-235-
Shaun Larkin and Lou Pamblanco 257. 205 for a high series of 669.
In the Wednesday Party League Greg Rapena rolled 248, Eric Vazuez Jimmy Fitzgerald shot 242-636, Chris Thomas 233, and Rich Scerne 222.
245, and Tom Carly 244. Ken Hecker 637
Don Bray 278 FLUSHING, NY - In the Ball and Chain League Ken Hecker rolled 227-221-637, Joe Peltzman 223-210-622,
FARMINGDALE, NY - Don Bray fired a high game of 278 in the and Greg Chin 213-204-201-618.
Epic/Maple Foursome League.
Pete Cornell rolled 268, Jim Ruccione and Gary Haines 267, Robert
Longiaru 265-257, Alex Warren 262, and Brian Hettinger 259-254.
Wayne Embleton 270
FARMINGDALE, NY - Wayne Embleton rolled 270, Nicholas Ng 269,
Daniel Schrafel 258, and Kyle Durfee 255 in the Friday Late Mixed
League.
In the Friday Summer Seniors League George DiSalvo rolled 169, and
Robert Junge 156.
Tom Gomez rolled 247, Steve Swersky 243, and Irwin Tarlow 225 in
the Thursday Green Men League.
Steve Friedman 268
FARMINGDALE, NY - Steve Friedman rolled 268, Mike McKeon 254-
244, and Ron Moskow 248 in the Thursday Businessmen League.
In the Thursday AM Ladies League Donna Gunther rolled 173, and
Linda Levatino 165-157.
Charles Jordan, Lakeem Burris 268
FARMINGDALE, NY - Charles Jordan and Lakeem Burris each rolled
a high game of 268 in the Tuesday Early Birds League.
Megan Cesare rolled 235-257-224-716, Morris Jackson 254, and Fred
Catapano 253.
In the Tuesday Ladies League Janet Stone rolled 190, and Jane Barbino
178.
Dan Leddy 258
FARMINGDALE, NY - In the Monday Night Fourplay League Dan
Leddy rolled 258, Jim Tortorice Jr 254-247, Mickey Newbeck 254-245,
and Jeanine Penna 248.
In the Sunday Adult/Junior League Stephan Diaczun, Sr rolled 221-
185, and Louis Gravino 187.
Steve Squitieri rolled 223, and Chris Mear 217 n the 4th Saturday
League.
Ronnie Simon 750
FARMINGDALE, NY - Ronnie Simon led the scoring in the Sunday
Vacation League firing games of 225-248-277 for a high series of 750.
Jeff Berman rolled 244, Andrea Sabbatini 221, and Rose Grispino 213.
Steve Bove 248
FARMINGDALE, NY - In the Thursday Goodtimers League Steve
Bove rolled 248, Michael Walsh and Frank Balzano 245, and Dale
Alberino 243.
Silvia Rey-Buzzonetti rolled 178 and Paulette Miller 155 in the
Monday Seniors League.
Lea Gravino rolled 172-164, Ryan Fina 161, and Stephen Kessler 155
in the Sunday Adult/Junior League.
June 26 - July 2, 2019
JUNIOR GOLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TO HAVE RECORD FIELD
FOR NINTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
ARLINGTON, Texas – For the ninth
consecutive season, the Junior Gold
Championships will set a record for
the largest field in the history of the
youth bowling event and the Junior
Gold program also established a new
mark for number of members.
The 2019 Junior Gold
Championships presented by the
Brands of Ebonite International will
take place in the metro Detroit area
from July 13-20. The event brings
together the top youth bowlers in the
country to compete for national titles
in four divisions – 12-and-under, 15-
and-under, 17-and-under, and 20-
and-under – plus spots on Junior
Team USA.
CBS Sports Network will televise
the stepladder finals of every division.
BowlTV.com will provide livestream
coverage from selected centers
throughout the week.
The 2019 Junior Gold
Championships, hosted by the city of
Detroit and the Detroit Sports
Commission, has sold more than
4,700 spots to again establish a record
for participants. Eight centers will be
used during the competition with the
stepladder finals in all divisions to
take place at Thunderbowl Lanes.
Last year’s event in the Dallas area
had more than 3,800 entries and a
scholarship fund of more than
$350,000, both tournament records.
The 2018-2019 season also has set
a record for Junior Gold membership,
as more than 7,700 youth bowlers
joined the program.
“Junior Gold provides an avenue
for youth bowlers to compete at a
high level as they continue to learn
and grow, and it’s exciting to see con-
tinued growth in this great event,”
said Gary Brown, the International
Bowling Campus (IBC) Youth
Development Managing Director.
“We appreciate the support of the vol-
unteers who run the qualifying
leagues and tournaments throughout
the season, and thank the bowlers
who will be part of the event in
Detroit.”
Athlete registration and the annual
trade show will kick off the Junior
Gold Championships on Saturday,
July 13, at the Suburban Collection
Showplace convention center. The
trade show, in addition to vendors,
SPORTS REPORTER
autograph stations and more, will fea-
ture several informative seminars
including United States Bowling
Congress Gold coach Del Warren dis-
cussing lane patterns and how to
build an arsenal. Also, Nick
Hoagland, a consultant for USBC on
pattern development, will host a sem-
inar to explain how to read an oil pat-
tern graph and Stephen Padilla,
USBC Director of Coaching
Certification and a USBC Gold
coach, will have a seminar for two-
handed bowlers.
The Ebonite International team will
have two special programs for youth
bowlers. On July 12, the EBI Demo
Day and Bowl with the Pro event will
take place at Super Bowl Lanes, and
on Sunday, July 14, the EBI team will
host Game Day at Eastern Michigan
University’s Rynearson Stadium, fea-
turing games, prizes, and more, from
3 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Athletes need to register online for
the seminars and EBI events.
Competition at the 2019 Junior
Gold Championships starts Monday,
July 15, with first of four days of
qualifying. The U12 stepladder finals
for both boys and girls will take place
July 19 while the U15, U17 and U20
finals will be held Saturday, July 20.
In addition to the Junior Gold
Championships, Detroit also will host
two additional major youth events –
the USA Bowling National
Championships presented by Sixlets
and the bowling.com Youth Open
Championships.
The USA Bowling National
Championships, featuring 16 U15
teams and 16 U12 teams that quali-
fied through regional competitions,
will have qualifying on Thursday,
July 11, and match-play rounds on
Friday, July 12, both at Astro Lanes.
The finals in both divisions, on
Friday, July 19, at Thunderbowl
Lanes, will be taped for broadcast on
CBS Sports Network.
The Youth Open Championships,
a non-qualifying tournament open
to all USBC Youth bowlers, will be
held July 11-12, 19-21, and 27-28 at
Sterling Lanes. The event has com-
petition in singles, doubles and
four-person team
AT MAPLE LANES RVC
Gary Warner 299
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY -
Gary Warned topped the scoring in
the Friday Night Mixed League fir-
ing a high game of 299.
Ryan Ciccimarro rolled 278,
Salvador Espaillat 268, and Doug
Gondek 258.
Thomas Romanelli 740
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY -
Thomas Romanelli led the scoring
in the Thursday Senior Birds
League rolling games of 266-258
for a high series of 740.
Bill Schierle rolled 254, Joe DiRe
248, and Henry Clay 246.
Joseph Dimino 289
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY -
Joseph Dimino fired a high game of
289 in the Tuesday Late Mens
League .
James Nolan rolled 268-247,
James Carey and Thomas Osgood
257
Sheila Weisman rolled 178, Erica
Gershkowitz 176, and Janice
McCrea 168 in the Tuesday Long
Beach Catholics League.
Paul Circharo 287
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY - Paul
Circharo led the scoring in the
Custom Thumbz Doubles League
firing a high game of 287
Michael Fisch, Harlan Wittenstein,
and Matt Achstatter 279, Al
Grossman and Antony Cassonetto
269, and Leroy Singletary 267.
Michael Travers 760
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY -
Michael Travers topped the scoring
in the Wednesday Night Mixed
League firing games of 279-204-
277 for a high series of 760
Gregory Frank rolled 268, Shaun
Berkowsky 263, Charlie Harris
258, Gina Maldonado 257, and
Willie Fessler 256.
Bill Viccora 280
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY - Bill
Viccora rolled a high game of 280
in the Wednesday Early Mens
League
James Guardino rolled 267, Ken
Bruce 262, Brandon Warthen 259,
and Phil Schaffer 257
7
Patrick Zenker 279-767
ROCKVLLE CENTRE, NY -
Patrick Zenker topped the scoring
in the Oceanside Knights of
Columbus League firing games of
279-226-262 for a high series of
767.
Anthony Parziale rolled 276, Pete
Morreale 265, and Mike Interrante
246.
Sean McGinn 269
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY -
Sean McGinn rolled 269, Robert
Walkowiak 234, John LaBau, Sr
230, and Barry Lituchy and
Michael Sciachit 224 in the
Thursday El Cheapo League.
In the Rockvilles League Kathleen
Abrams rolled 232, Erica
Gershkowitz 223, and Patrice
Nolan 221.
Ed Boremski 268
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY - In
the Thursday Mixed League Ed
Boremski rolled 268, Charlie Torres
266, Phil Schaffer and Frank
Kurlish 254, and Teddy Avgerisno
253
John Moran 258
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY -
John Moran rolled 258, John LaBau
253, and Joe DiMartini and Bill Fox
246 in the Bowl N Cruise League.
Patrice Martome rolled 204,
Remee Malley 174, Janet Jansen
173, and Linda Walsh 172 in the
Monday Classic League.
Alexandra Strom 238
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY - In
the Tuesday Koffee Kats League
Alexandra Strom rolled 238, Laurie
Bettinesci 189-178, Diane Fortin
179-164, and Adrienne Lupo 178-
169.
Anthony Capellupo rolled 208,
Michalene Cooper 173, and Ben
Carini and John Schmidt 172 in the
St Raymonds Holy Bowlers
League.
Juan Garcia 244
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY - In
the Sunday HMA Memorial
League Juan Garcia rolled 244,
Stacey Williams 232-223, George
Michaelowski 226, and Carlton
Davis 214.
6 SPORTS REPORTER
Eric McKenna, Margaux Lesser Named 2018-19 North Jersey Bowlers of The Year
By Vince Albrecht
ENGLEWOOD, NJ – After patiently waiting since March, the sixteen student-athletes
nominated for North Jersey.com Boy and Girl Bowler of the Year, joined dozens of other
Bergen and Passaic County highschoolers selected for their exceptional skill in sports cov-
ering the Fall, Winter and Spring seasons. The gala Sports Awards ceremony, sponsored
by Englewood Health was held last evening at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in
Englewood with special guest Sam Darnold. The New York Jets quarterback engaged in a
spirited question and answer session with the Record’s Andy Vasquez, the Jets’ beat writer.
For those unable to be in attendance, the presentations were streamed on the North
Jersey.com web site.
The North Jersey Boys Bowler of the Year honor went to North Arlington senior Eric
McKenna who, among his accomplishments, had North Jersey’s high average [228.8], a
perfect game and two “800+” sets. The Girls Bowler of the Year went to Teaneck junior
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.
June 26 - July 2, 2019
BOYS BOWLER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS:
Eric McKenna, Johann Gamo and Joseph Mahoney.
GIRLS BOWLER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS:
Margaux Lesser, Mia Aish and Marissa Cosentini.
BOYS BOWLER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES:
Eric McKenna, Park Ridge sophomore Joseph Mahoney, Becton senior Trevor Deliantis,
Clifton seniors’ Johann Gamo and Joe Paolillo, Fair Lawn senior Nick Greco, Pascack
Valley senior Trevor Lauber and West Milford sophomore Ralph “RJ” Utter.
GIRLS BOWLER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES:
Leonia senior Gabrielle Capalad, Wayne Valley junior Marissa Cosentini, Teaneck jun-
iors’ Mia Aish and Margaux Lesser, Fair Lawn sophomore Krista Eskow, Holy Angels
junior Amelia Brunda, Mahwah sophomore Michaella Raab and Hackensack senior
Arielle Wallace.
To all the nominees in 2018-19, congratulations……you are all champions.