Two-handed bowler moves toward the head of the class at Open Championships
By Matt Cannizzaro and David Ellis USBC Communications
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Just a few hours after receiving his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Pikeville College in Pikeville, Ky., Cassidy Schaub of Polk, Ohio was on his way to the 2006 Open Championships.
Schaub graduated late Saturday afternoon and arrived at the American Bank Center Exhibit Hall just in time to take the lanes with some of his former college teammates Sunday night.
"I was so comfortable knowing I was going to be bowling with my teammates again," said Schaub, who averaged 206.4 in collegiate competition this year and was a second-team All-American. "Plus, my parents made the trip, and it's always nice to have them around."
The 22-year-old left-hander, who uses an unorthodox, two-handed delivery to throw with maximum speed and rotation, celebrated the occasion by posting 736 in singles, 695 in team and 694 in doubles for a 2,125 all-events total Monday, but missed the top 10 by five pins. Dave Mitchell of Farmington, Minn., leads Regular All-Events with 2,189.
Schaub adopted his unique style when he was a child and a bowling ball was too big for him to handle. At first glance, he appears to be a typical southpaw, using a standard grip with his left hand, but his right hand stays in contact with the ball's surface throughout his swing and release, creating above average revolutions.
This unusual style is becoming more and more popular across the bowling world. With a similar technique, Australia's Jason Belmonte became the youngest male ever to receive the World Bowling Writers International Player of the Year award in 2004. Also in 2004, Finland's Osku Palermaa became the first international amateur in the history of the Professional Bowlers Association to make a televised finals appearance.
These athletes and their accomplishments continue to prove that there are many different ways to be successful on the lanes.
"No one ever tried to make me change the way I throw the ball," Schaub said. "But there have been people who told me I'd never be successful using both hands. Now, when I bowl well, it feels good knowing that I've proved somebody wrong."
In 2005, Schaub had a banner year and helped the Pikeville Bears reach their first USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships. He later went on to finish seventh in Regular All-Events at the Open Championships in Baton Rouge, La.
"I thought last year's tournament (2,082) was the best I could do, so I set this year's goal at 2,000 for all-events," Schaub said. "I kept that number in mind and wanted be sure that if I fell short, I knew the reasons why. Luckily, I only needed 611 in singles, so the pressure was off."
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.
