Pictured Above Is MMA Final 4: L To R: Tina Niles, Mandy Etem, Dave Cirigliano, Shawna Strause, and Jolene Lebeau.
Mandy Etem, Of Phoenix, Finds A Way To Win Another Title At AMF McRay Lanes In Chandler.
This Time It Is The MMA Queens Event On January 28th. 18 Bowlers Participated This Year.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor thetenpinexpress.com - Director Mesa Metro Association.
Chandler - - - Of the accomplishments he achieved as a HOF bowler. Carmen Salvino, was probably beaming with pride, the day he learned the powers to be in the PBA named a lane pattern after him. After all, it seemed the successes he had on the lanes were always on a longer lane pattern rather than on a shorter one.
So, it seems whenever there is a bowling tournament in the Valley that has the 'PBA Carmen Salvino' 44-foot lane pattern as its title condition. Mr. Salvino would still be beaming with pride for those that bowled well on his pattern, and won an event carrying his last name as well.
After a slow start in qualifying. And losing her first match in the double elimination round, to Shawna Strause of Tucson. Mandy Etem found a way to conquer the 'PBA Carmen Salvino' 44-foot lane pattern. In round #6 of the MMA Queens finals. She defeated Tina Niles of Mesa, twice, in the double elimination event to be crowned 2018 MMA Queens champion.18 bowlers participated in this years event at AMF McRay Lanes in Chandler.
"I think my key to this win, was staying persistent through a rough start on a challenging pattern. The pattern was challenging," she said, after the tournament on Sunday January 28. "It was a nice to change from league to bowl on a pattern. I don't believe I have bowled on it before. This win is very special. My sister Jolene has been supporting my bowling for a few years, and now she is back on the lanes. It was fun competing alongside her."
Its probably safe to say now, that the PBA Carmen Salvino 44-foot lane pattern will be one of her favorite conditions to bowl on moving forward. There was one thing she did following her loss to Shawna in the finals, that got her back on track.
"I moved outside after I lost my first match. I had made a few errant shots in that match, and needed to play the lanes to protect myself from those misses," she said, of her adjustment. "In a lower scoring setting it was crucial to leave makeable spares. McRay tends to play outside, but the pattern didn't appear it would play outside."
There was one other thing that Mandy did during the course of the tournament, that kept her in the moment. And not to look too further ahead of herself.
"Keeping myself in the moment," she said, of another key to success. "Not worrying about the past or the future. Just bowling the game and frame and shot we were in at the moment."
Mandy has had recent successes at McRay. Last April at the conclusion of the Arizona State Women's Championship tournament which was also held there, she was crowned the all-events women's champion.
"I didn't realize we were at the same center as the state tournament," she said, after being informed of this fact. "You know, many of our centers in the Valley look the same on the inside."
Mandy's match against her sister took place in round four of the event. She defeated her sister in that match. But, there have been times in her bowling career, when her sister bested her on the lanes.
"My sister and I hadn't bowled against each other since we were in the juniors," she said, of the match. "I also remind her of the time she shot 300 against me. This experience bowling against each other was very different, probably because our talents are more evenly matched now. I am grateful my sister has moved to Arizona and started bowling again. We have several opportunities to bowl together, and winning together is the best!".
Bowling against a friend such as Shawna, presents a challenge. But, Mandy has learned how to deal with this when it comes up also.
"Whenever I am bowling against a friend, I tell myself that someone has to win and someone has to lose, and the result will not affect our friendship. Shawna and I had the opportunity to bowl each other twice in this event and we each won one match against each other (Mandy bowled Shawna in round #5, and won the second match against her).," she said, of bowling against friends. "Team bowling will always be my favorite. Sharing a win with a teammate multiplies the joy, and having so many of my teammates at this event felt like a team win!"
Mandy was also the Metro Phoenix USBC women's high average award winner at the conclusion of the 2016-17 season. She accomplished this feat while bowling in the Ebonite Sun City Scratch Classic League at Lakeview Lanes where she averaged 226 for 90 games last season.
"Yes I did," she said, of confirming the above honor. "I attribute that success to the opportunity to bowl with my coach Dave Cirigliano. He has pushed me to elevate my game, and we had a great time! I have several competing priorities in my life, and have accepted the level I am able to compete. Based on the time I commit to bowling and enjoying the other aspects of my life."
Tina Niles was the leading qualifyer going into the finals (804) at +4. She also rolled the high game in the tournament in round 3, a 246. Past champions Michelle Maddock and Kim Binkley bowled in the event as well, but did not make the cut into the finals.
"I did not do any extra practicing to get ready for this event," she said, of her prep time prior to it. "I took a good amount of time off for the holidays and I am just getting going again. I was using this event to tune-up for some up coming events, so it feels like a great start to the season."
MMA Bowling News - February 6, 2018