Kansas team back in top 10 at Open Championships

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - During the five years they've bowled together at the Open Championships, Gary Boxberger of Hoisington, Kan., and his Cardinal Lanes teammates have enjoyed continued success at the annual event.

The group came to Corpus Christi, Texas, looking to build on last year's fourth place finish in Classified Team, and although they fell just short, they managed to find their way back into the top 10 with a 2,740 team total.

Edward Hitschmann led the way with 636 and was followed by Tim Higgins (541), Reuben Flagor (534), Boxberger (533) and Mike Steinert (496), as the team posted games of 1,003, 844 and 893 and moved into ninth place overall. Torkelson Construction of Clarion, Iowa, leads with 2,878.

"We definitely talked about the possibility of winning it this time, but we just wanted to do as well as we did in Baton Rouge," Boxberger said. "We were shocked when we ended up in fourth place, but this year we were a little more aware of what was happening. Last time we had two guys who checked the Internet every day to see how we were doing and reported back to the rest of the team. I have a feeling it will be the same this year."

In order to prepare for this year's event, the five bowlers got together one time after their leagues ended in April so they could roll a few games together. Although the formula seems to have worked again, next year is a whole new ball game.

With success often comes confidence and improvement, and since a couple of the guys have raised their averages this season, next year the group will be up for a new challenge as they make the move up to compete in Regular Team.

"We'll be at the bottom of the Regular division, so we are going to have to step it up a little bit to maybe get a check," Boxberger said. "No matter what though, we just come out for some fun and a vacation."

Presenting sponsors for the 2006 USBC Open Championships are Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Texas State Aquarium, Majestic Ventures Yacht Charters, Inc., USS Lexington Museum and Texas Treasure Casino Cruises.

For more information on the USBC Open Championships, visit USBCOpen.com.

5/31/2006



By Matt Cannizzaro and David Ellis USBC Communications