Pennsylvania bowler perfect at Open Championships

RENO, Nev. - Although the environment at the USBC Open Championships is unlike anything else in the sport, it still wasn't enough to rattle Josh Malanoski of Whitaker, Pa., who rolled a 300 game on the tournament lanes Sunday.

After finishing doubles with 147, his lowest game of the tournament, the 25-year-old right-hander switched lanes for singles and immediately moved left on the approach. The decision proved to be a good one, as he opened singles with 12 consecutive strikes for the 27th perfect game of this year's event at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev. He finished with games of 212 and 237 for a 749 series.

"I watched the bowlers on the pair I was going to for singles, and it looked drier than what I had, so I knew I would have to make a move right away," said Malanoski, who added 607 in doubles and 553 in team for a 1,909 all-events total. "It's always exciting to shoot a 300 game, but out here its different. The environment makes it tougher to stay focused."

Bowling alongside family and friends, Malanoski brings a relaxed approach to the Open Championships, and as a result, he doesn't feel too much pressure while out on the lanes.

"As soon as I finished youth bowling, I moved on to adult events and wanted to see how I'd do on the national level," said Malanoski, who made his fifth consecutive Open Championships appearance. "But when I come to this tournament, I take everything one ball at a time because my main goal is just to have fun and enjoy the experience."

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