Pictured Above Is: 2016 Arizona State Queens Champion Mandy Etem, And AZ State USBC Director Ella Mercer.
Consistency And Endurance, Help Mandy Etem Claim 2016 AZ State Queens Title.
She Previously Won The Metro Phoenix USBC Queens Title in 2010. And Can Now Add A State Championship To Her Resume.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor - thetenpinexpress.com - Director Mesa Metro Association.
Scottsdale - - - When it comes to bowling in tournaments. Mandy Etem prefers participating in team events, because winning is only sweeter with a team. But, you know what? She can also hold her own when bowling in singles events as well.
She made that point known during the weekend of October 1, 2, at the Arizona State Queens event at Brunswick Via Linda Lanes in Scottsdale. She outlasted the filed of 23 bowlers during the two days of competition, and was crowned champion at the end of the tournament. This is her first ever Arizona State Queens title. She previously won the Metro Phoenix USBC Queens title in 2010.
"This win is very special to me. I have been working on my game recently, and with the tough lane conditions, it was very satisfying to be successful," said Mandy, a quality control manager for a medical laboratory in Phoenix. "It is always a dream to have both Dave (Cirigliano) and I win together. However, I am grateful he was there and supported me to the finish line. Also, my sister recently moved to Arizona and was cheering me on as well."
23 females throughout Arizona participated in the tournament. The qualifying round was again, comprised of five games, with a semi-final round of three games immediately following. Round one pins carried over to round two. Total pin fall from both qualifying rounds was used to determine placement into the final double-elimination bracket round on Sunday.
Going into the double elimination finals on Sunday, Mandy was seeded #1, and faced Emily Orneales in the opening match. She won her match against Emily 408-376, and that started her climb up the ladder.
"I don't remember bowling on the Scorpion pattern previously," she said, of the PBA 2013 Scorpion pattern that was used by the state during the tournament. "I think the pattern was quite challenging which is appropriate for this type of event."
If she never bowled on the Scorpion pattern before, you could never notice it, as she was the leading qualifier after the qualifying round on Saturday and during her match play performance.
When asked if there was a key turning point during the course of the tournament, Mandy responded: "Personally, this event was an opportunity to work on living in the moment, and focusing on taking everything one shot at a time. I maintained this position throughout the event. I firmly believe in having no regrets and maintaining focus on the future. There were learning opportunities that I used, for the remainder of the event."
The finals on Sunday consisted of the top seven qualifiers, plus the defending champion, if they did not qualify. For a total of eight finalists. The format for the finals was a two game double elimination. Also missing from this year's field was defending champion Bryanna Cote, and Tina Williams.
"There was a lot of talent in this year's field, and it was exciting for the continued growth of the sport," she said, of the field. "Tina, Bryanna, and I are friends, and we bowl in association tournaments together. So, I always miss them when they are not there. I am very happy for Tina and her little bundle of joy (she just gave birth to a son, her first with husband Stu); and it was nice to have them both at the event."
Mandy is the better half to Dave Cirigliano, and they have been together for the last six years. He is a very accomplished bowler himself, and he was the defending Arizona State Masters Champion from 2015.
"Very early on he offered to help with my physical game and equipment, knowing that he is the best coach around," she said, of having someone of his caliber in her corner. "I felt it was important to take him up on his offer. He is amazing, and I feel like a completely different bowler since we met. He has made significant improvements to all facets of my game: relating to physical, mental, and equipment aspects."
She also says, that Dave has helped her understand how and why a bowling ball is drilled the way it is.
"I am very particular with the feel and fit of my equipment," she said. "I was very pleased when Dave started drilling my equipment, as he is extremely precise. I have never felt so comfortable with my equipment."
Dave owns three Bowling Dynamics Pro Shops in the Valley. They are located at: AMF Christown, Brunswick Kyrene, and AMF Peoria.
By the time the tournament came to a conclusion on Sunday October 2, Mandy had ended up bowling a total of 20 games en route to the title, during the course of the weekend. In the semi-final and final round, Mandy had to defeat Tina Karriker twice, in order to secure the championship. She did just that by defeating her 399-330 in the semi-finals, and 360-321 in the championship match. Tina was the seventh seed going into the finals.
"I bowled 20 games during the event, and I felt strong at the end of the event," she said, of her endurance. "I have taken up running the last few years, and I believe this has had a positive effect on my endurance."
She does not have a 300 or 800 series to her credit yet. However, her high game of 299 came in the fall of 2005 at Thunderbird Lanes in Wichita, Kansas. Her high series of 789 came in September 23, 2016 at AMF Union Hills.
"This is not something I have considered," she said, when asked if she would like to give the PWBA Women's Tour a shot. "I have always been career driven, and bowled for enjoyment. I didn't compete much over the summer. I feel the summer is a good time to work on things after the state and national tournaments are over with."
Mandy doesn't have specific tournament plans in her immediate future, but hopes to enjoy this moment as long as she can. And continuing enjoying bowling and the competition it provides for years to come.
Stu Williams won the Masters portion of the Arizona State tournament, and took home $700 for his efforts. He also rolled the high game of the two day event, a 287. Dave Cirigliano, was the leading qualifier after the eight game block on Saturday, with a 1,772. Timothy Jacob was the runner-up. Dylan Taylor finished third, and Josh Moret fourth.
Helping to raise money to find a cure.
The month of October usually starts the fund raising efforts for the USBC. Our governing body of bowling, has two charities that it is very passionate about. Those charities being the: 'Bowl for the Cure' and the 'BVL'. So, it comes to no surprise it relies on its members to help raise money for these charities across the country.
And the membership across the country, is always happy to help to do this.
"I had a very close friend get diagnosed with breast cancer. Although she wasn't a bowler, I wanted to do something to support breast cancer advancements and care through bowling," said Mandy, on how she got involved with the fund raising efforts in Arizona. "I looked on the 'Bowl for the Cure' website, and didn't find any events in Arizona. I got a group of ladies together to build the initial event, and since then the group has grown into quite the team."
The Arizona 'Bowl for the Cure' group started hosting events in Phoenix in 2012, and just recently held their second event in Tucson this year. It expanded its fund raising to Tucson in 2015.
"In 2015, we expanded from Phoenix to include the whole state, and were asked by the Tucson community to host an event. And, we could not have been more honored!," said Mandy, on how the expansion to Tucson took place. "We used to have one event in Phoenix, and again, expanded to a second event in Tucson. We like having multiple events as it gives more folks the opportunity to participate, and we even have some bowlers who bowl in both events."
The 'Bowl for the Cure' team events were held at AMF Christown in Phoenix, and Golden Pin Lanes in Tucson this year. It had 24 five man teams participate in Phoenix, and 14 in Tucson.
"Our team works on the events throughout the year. We just had our 2016 events, and will start planning for 2017 right away. The team is made up of my friends and family, and they are all more committed than I would even ask for!," said Mandy, of her team. "We have an amazing team, and wouldn't be where we are today without each and every one of them."
Between the two events, Mandy sets a yearly $10,000 goal to raise for the charity.
"Our goal has always been $10,000 and this year was the first year we reached and surpassed our goal. We raised $10,858 between the two events," she said, of her goal. "The generosity of our bowling community is overwhelming. Many donations are brought in with no request. People just want to help. The bowling ball manufactures are very supportive of 'Bowl for the Cure'. And through Bowling Dynamics, and Dave Cirigliano's contacts, we get a lot of support."
She feels she accomplished her goals for the charity this year, and is looking forward to 2017.
"Yes, I am very proud to say that we accomplished our goal this year. Next year, we raise the bar," she said, of looking ahead. "We are always looking for ways to raise more money. And build an experience where the survivors and their loved ones know they are the most important part of our celebration. And, where all participants have a good time helping a great cause."
Arizona State Bowling News - October 21, 2016
Story Updated On October 28, 2016