Classified leaderboards shaken up at Open Championships
RENO, Nev. - Despite a broken index finger on his bowling hand, Gary Finnell of Big Bear Lake, Calif., made it through nine games at the USBC Open Championships and left the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., in eighth place in Classified Doubles.
The 49-year-old right-hander teamed up with Wayne Thomas of Big Bear Lake, Calif., to sneak into the top 10 with a 1,199 total. Thomas led the way with a 611 set, while Finnell contributed 588. Father and son Frank Smyle of Reeder, N.D., and Jesse Smyle of Bowman, N.D., lead with 1,287.
"I'm 68 years old and I haven't bowled this well in 10 years," said Thomas, a right-hander who added 599 in singles and 499 in team for a 1,709 all-events total in his second Open Championships appearance. "I was all over the place in team, but today, everything seemed to go right. I just found a line and the pins kept falling."
Finnell also bowled in the Open Championships for the second time and would like to participate more frequently, but his job as a carpenter doesn't allow him much time to leave town for the tournament, which runs from mid-February until July.
"It snows six months of the year where we live, and since I work outdoors, we work when we can, but the warmer months and the summer are our busy season," said Finnell, who had 519 in team and 485 in singles for 1,592. "It's always a fun drive to Reno, though, and we get to go through some beautiful country that we normally don't get to see. It's been a great trip, and I was surprised we did this well. We really didn't expect it, so it's a great feeling to see our names on the leaderboard."
Also making a move into the top 10 on Saturday was the mother and daughter duo of Mary Larman and Cynthia Kilton of Klamath Falls, Ore., who both competed in the Open Championships for the first time.
Kilton paced the pair with 616, while Larman contributed 577 to help them into 10th place in Classified Doubles with 1,193.
"I didn't expect us to finish as well as we did, especially since we heard there was a really tough shot and there are so many good bowlers who bowl in this event," said Kilton, who added 502 in team and 495 in singles for a 1,613 all-events effort. "I struggled a little yesterday in team, but I felt more in control today. I think because it was earlier in the day, we were fresh and ready and didn't have the extra time to think about it so much. I think this was a good experience and a successful trip and something I'd like to do again."
Along with their success on the lanes, Larman and Kilton also enjoyed the opportunity to meet and bowl with people from across the country.
"I love to see all of the people from different states come together like this to support the sport," said Larman, a USBC certified coach and full-time RVer who rounded out her tournament debut with 488 in singles and 391 in team for 1,456. "And since my husband and I travel so much, it's nice to get together with our family and friends like this when we can, as well as meet so many new people."
On Friday, Orlando Samonte of Virginia Beach, Va., moved into second place in Classified Singles and 10th place in Classified All-Events in his own Open Championships debut.
The 49-year-old right-hander recently returned to bowling after a three-year hiatus and posted games of 267, 192 and 213 for 672, which left him just one pin shy of Lenny Boogaard of Osakis, Minn., who leads Classified Singles with 673.
Samonte added 643 in doubles and 473 in team for a 1,788 all-events total. Jim Shara of Endicott, N.Y., leads Classified All-Events with 1,837.
"I've only come back to bowling over the last year and a half after working through some injuries," Samonte said. "I'm really just trying to get back in the groove again, and it feels great to come out here and bowl so well."
Presenting sponsors for the 2007 USBC Open Championships are Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Sands Regency Casino and Hotel, official brackets sponsor and supporting sponsors Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa and Harrah's Casino and Hotel.
By Matt Cannizzaro and David Ellis USBC Communications
The 49-year-old right-hander teamed up with Wayne Thomas of Big Bear Lake, Calif., to sneak into the top 10 with a 1,199 total. Thomas led the way with a 611 set, while Finnell contributed 588. Father and son Frank Smyle of Reeder, N.D., and Jesse Smyle of Bowman, N.D., lead with 1,287.
"I'm 68 years old and I haven't bowled this well in 10 years," said Thomas, a right-hander who added 599 in singles and 499 in team for a 1,709 all-events total in his second Open Championships appearance. "I was all over the place in team, but today, everything seemed to go right. I just found a line and the pins kept falling."
Finnell also bowled in the Open Championships for the second time and would like to participate more frequently, but his job as a carpenter doesn't allow him much time to leave town for the tournament, which runs from mid-February until July.
"It snows six months of the year where we live, and since I work outdoors, we work when we can, but the warmer months and the summer are our busy season," said Finnell, who had 519 in team and 485 in singles for 1,592. "It's always a fun drive to Reno, though, and we get to go through some beautiful country that we normally don't get to see. It's been a great trip, and I was surprised we did this well. We really didn't expect it, so it's a great feeling to see our names on the leaderboard."
Also making a move into the top 10 on Saturday was the mother and daughter duo of Mary Larman and Cynthia Kilton of Klamath Falls, Ore., who both competed in the Open Championships for the first time.
Kilton paced the pair with 616, while Larman contributed 577 to help them into 10th place in Classified Doubles with 1,193.
"I didn't expect us to finish as well as we did, especially since we heard there was a really tough shot and there are so many good bowlers who bowl in this event," said Kilton, who added 502 in team and 495 in singles for a 1,613 all-events effort. "I struggled a little yesterday in team, but I felt more in control today. I think because it was earlier in the day, we were fresh and ready and didn't have the extra time to think about it so much. I think this was a good experience and a successful trip and something I'd like to do again."
Along with their success on the lanes, Larman and Kilton also enjoyed the opportunity to meet and bowl with people from across the country.
"I love to see all of the people from different states come together like this to support the sport," said Larman, a USBC certified coach and full-time RVer who rounded out her tournament debut with 488 in singles and 391 in team for 1,456. "And since my husband and I travel so much, it's nice to get together with our family and friends like this when we can, as well as meet so many new people."
On Friday, Orlando Samonte of Virginia Beach, Va., moved into second place in Classified Singles and 10th place in Classified All-Events in his own Open Championships debut.
The 49-year-old right-hander recently returned to bowling after a three-year hiatus and posted games of 267, 192 and 213 for 672, which left him just one pin shy of Lenny Boogaard of Osakis, Minn., who leads Classified Singles with 673.
Samonte added 643 in doubles and 473 in team for a 1,788 all-events total. Jim Shara of Endicott, N.Y., leads Classified All-Events with 1,837.
"I've only come back to bowling over the last year and a half after working through some injuries," Samonte said. "I'm really just trying to get back in the groove again, and it feels great to come out here and bowl so well."
Presenting sponsors for the 2007 USBC Open Championships are Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Sands Regency Casino and Hotel, official brackets sponsor and supporting sponsors Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa and Harrah's Casino and Hotel.
By Matt Cannizzaro and David Ellis USBC Communications