Pictured Are Members Of The GCU Bowling Team/ Academic Award Winners.
Photo And Story Courtesy Of GCU.
ASU Completes One Wild And Crazy Year. Courtesy Of Alec Johnson, ASU Bowling Team.
Tempe, AZ., - - - ‘Crazy’, ‘spontaneous’, and ‘exciting’ are three words that can accurately describe the season that the Arizona State University Bowling Team had this year. With the arrivals of Josh Williams (Freshman) and the new captain in Alec Johnson (Freshman), the returning crew of Leah Zweig (Senior), KJ Martinez (Senior), Shane Smith (Sophomore), Chris Berryman (Sophomore), and CJ Locke (Junior), were ready to give this season a run.
The season kicked off on February 20th , 2021, at Glenfair Lanes where the Arizona Cup I was held. ASU got its first win of the year, throwing up a score of 5415 for five team games, and edged out GCU’s score of 5291. ASU was led by KJ, Josh, and Shane, placing second, third, and fifth respectively in the individual scores. The very next day was the Arizona Cup II, also held at Glenfair Lanes. Again, ASU was able to get the job done with a posted score of 5085 for just five team games. KJ bowled spectacular, and won the high individual series averaging 223.8 on the day. Also, Chris played a huge role in the win, placing fifth in individuals with a 205.2 average.
Exactly a month later, the ASU team found themselves at Glenfair Lanes bowling in the Arizona Shootout I and Arizona Shootout II on March 20th and 21st. The first Arizona Shootout was a spectacle to watch as teammates KJ and Shane battled all day for the top individual spot. KJ was able to beat Shane by just 24 pins in total, but both together helped lead the ASU team to another victory, giving the team a clean start at 3-0. Just 24 hours afterwards, ASU would bowl their final event of the season in their home state, again at Glenfair Lanes to bowl the Arizona Shootout II. This tournament had a format of five team games, and then single elimination baker-match-play to decide the champion. The ASU team was led by captain Alec, Shane, and Josh, finishing second, third, and fifth respectively for individuals; and the team ended up with the second seed after qualifying. After GCU took the top seed away in the last game of qualifying, Coach Jordan Nassberg gathered the team up for a quick chat before match play began. He assured the team, “We are playing in the right part of the lanes, let’s just take our time, make our spares, and simply throw good shots”. Both of the top seeds of GCU and ASU would then cruise to meet in the finals. The format of the finals would be a race to three, 5-man baker matches. With GCU and ASU splitting the first four matches at 2-2, it all came down to the final ten frames. Led by Josh’s and KJ’s perfect four frames in the title match, ASU was able to beat GCU with a final game score of 215-210 to keep their record clean at 4-0.
The following weekend, the team decided to take an impromptu trip to Oklahoma City to bowl in the South West Intercollegiate Bowling Championships III and IV (SWIBC) at Shawnee Lanes. The team got off to a slow start in the first day of the trip, with Chris being the only one to place in the top ten of individual sets, averaging 212.2 for the four games. The ASU team ended up in fourth place on the day, posting a score of 4002 for the individuals, and 1996 for the ten baker games, for a grand total of 5998. Witchita State won with a total score of 6625. With the team well rested and prepared, they walked into Shawnee Lanes ready, and confidently.
KJ led his team throughout the entire season, and when the team needed his leadership most, an accident occurred. A bowling ball fell off of a chair, landing and breaking KJ’s foot. Despite this, KJ bowled the rest of the season with a one-step approach so his team could advance to sectionals; without this, the ASU team would have been unable to participate in any future tournaments for the rest of the season. His heroic sacrifice led to a plummet in his personal average, resulting in him losing the opportunity to win Club Bowler of the Year, Club
1st Team All American, and USBC 1st Team All American. After this occurred, Alec mentioned to KJ that he was going to dedicate his scores on day two to KJ, to show appreciation for what KJ did to ensure the team would succeed. In a weird twist of good fortune, Alec would use his plastic TZone all day to average 245.67 in the six team games, and claimed his first individual title. Ironically, this performance would bring back home some of the awards that KJ gave up, those being Club Bowler of the Year, and Club 1st Team All American. In addition, Alec would also win Club Rookie of the Year. ASU would finish in fourth place again with a grand total of 5792 for the six team games.
The ASU Bowling team then traveled to Indianapolis and Dallas for the postseason. The team had secured a spot as a top-25 ranked team, and tried to carry that momentum into the Club Championships and Sectionals. Despite the team’s best efforts, they were unable to qualify for Nationals. In conclusion, the ASU team exceeded many expectations coming into the year. With the looming doom of COVID, the team was unsure whether or not they would even have a season. After finishing the Intercollegiate Team Championship Sectionals, Coach Jordan Nassberg gave some more words of wisdom, “We’re an incredibly young team and we are leaving this postseason knowing what it takes in order to make it through to Nationals. We’ll put countless hours over the summer, and we’ll be ready for the next season”.
This year was truly a spectacle, especially in regard to bringing home individual awards. On top of Alec’s awards of Club Bowler of the Year, Club Rookie of the Year, and Club 1st Team All American, Josh and Shane were both awarded Club 2nd Team All American, while KJ and Chris were awarded an Honorable Mention for Club All American; and Leah finished with Academic All American.
The future looks bright for the Arizona State Bowling team. With the entire coaching staff in Jordan Nassberg, Jakob Butturff, Michael Haugen, and Matthew Zweig returning; the then add the fact that the team has no seniors in this upcoming year, the Arizona State Bowling Team has high hopes, and even higher expectations for the upcoming year. In addition, the ASU Bowling team are expected to add two local talents in Max Premeau , and lefty Tyler Morgan.
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1st Team All-American Molloy leads list of 5 Lopes’ honoree
By: Zach Melcher/GCU Club Sports Writing Staff
Adversity. Recognition. Awards.
Phoenix - - - Despite dealing with the restrictions of a shortened 2020-21 season, the Grand Canyon University Bowling teams were still able stand out amongst their competitors.
Pandemic year or not, the Lopes continued their postseason accolade success with their largest group of combined honorees from the men’s and women’s teams after the release of the Club Team Bowling Coaches Association All-American Awards this year.
Lopes’ sophomore Josh Molloy earned CTBCA 1st Team Men’s Club All-American honors after being selected for the 2nd Team last year.
Joining Molloy on this year’s list were the Lopes’ Mathew Adragna and Benjamin Laffoon, who earned 2nd Team All-American nods.
“Honestly, I was not expecting it at all, being such a young bowler,” said Laffoon. “There are a lot of great bowlers who could’ve taken my place, and I am definitely humbled by where being a part of this team has led me.”
While Adragna was named as a finalist in 2020, this was Laffoon’s first-ever award, an even greater feat considering he didn’t pick up a bowling ball until a little over two years ago.
“I always want to improve and build off past experience, and I will use this year as a new baseline for my future success,” said Laffoon. “I am definitely excited for what next year will bring.”
The Lopes’ Women’s Bowling team also earned postseason success as GCU”s Mackenzie Theophilus earned CTBCA 2nd Team All-American honors, while her teammate LeAnne Kommenich was named as a Club All-American Finalist (ranked among the top 30 individual club bowlers in the nation).
“It was great to see them get recognition despite not being able to travel to any postseason events this year,” said Lopes’ Head Bowling Coach Ben Canfield. “With the four of them (Molloy, Adragna, Laffoon, & Theophilus) returning, I hope this motivates all of them as we begin preparing for next season.”
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Metro Phoenix USBC Meeting Announced. Courtesy Of Dennis Brummitt.
March 26, 2021
Phoenix - - - Metro Phoenix USBC’s Annual meeting is soon to be upon us. This meeting is held to allow all Metro Phoenix certified bowlers the ability to be a part of the process, and to voice their concerns on how the association is managed. The members of Metro Phoenix also have the opportunity to elect board members at this meeting.
The 2021 meeting will be held May 8, 2021 100pm at the Arizona Broadway Theater, 7701 W Paradise Lane, Peoria, Arizona. Refreshments will be available, and time for questions and answers will be set aside.
Pleas join us on May 8, 2021 and support your Metro Phoenix USBC Association.
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MMA Annual Meeting Announced. Courtesy Of The MMA.
Mesa - - - MMA Annual Meeting May 16th, 2021 @ 1:00 PM Meeting Rooms at Bowlero Gilbert Snacks & NA Beverages will be provided.
Come out and vote for new officers/directors. Welcome our newest Hall of Fame Members as well as our Youth Bowlers of the Year. Voice your opinion, ask your questions, make some suggestions. This meeting is for the benefit of our Association and all members, and guests, are welcome to attend.
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Tucson Metro Announces Annual Meeting Date. Courtesy Of Tucson Metro USBC.
TUCSON METRO USBC ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE
VISCOUNT SUITE HOTEL
4855 EAST BROADWAY
TUCSON, AZ. 85711
SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 at 12:00 PM
Tucson - - - All Tucson Metro USBC members are invited to attend this Annual Meeting. We will elect Tucson Metro board members, State and National Delegates and discuss Tucson Metro board business. Guests must check in at the door. Only Tucson Metro sanctioned members will be allowed to vote. We thank each of you for your continued support and contributions to Tucson Metro and the local bowling community. We invite your concerns, comments, questions and suggestions. Please plan to attend. Refreshments will be served.
If you are interested in becoming a Tucson Metro USBC Board Member, please go to our website at: www.tucsonmetrousbc.com to download the board application. Applications must be mailed to the address listed or hand delivered to Al Ayala by April 1. Applications will not be accepted by email. You may also apply at any time during the year if positions remain open.
NOTICE: Consumption of alcohol, use of cell phones or other electronic devices, derogatory or disruptive actions or language and disrespect to board members and guests will not be permitted during the meeting. If you must use your cell phone please step out of the room while the meeting is in progress. Violators of any of the rules listed above will be asked to leave the room. Please be respectful of others.
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PBA Jr. Regional At Bowlero Mesa. Courtesy Of Josh Blanchard.
Mesa - - - We are just a few weeks away from the first ever PBA Jr Regional at Bowlero (Mesa, AZ) (May 22-23). Entries are flowing in and we cant wait to see everyone hit the lanes and compete for a chance at some large Scholarship $$$$
Share with your friends who might be interested in competing in this premier youth event. See everyone in a few weeks. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
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