Defending champions crack top 10, won't repeat at 2015 USBC Open
April 15, 2015
Click here to watch Artistic Expressions 1's 2015 team event
EL PASO, Texas - It often takes the performance of a lifetime to win a title at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, but for Artistic Expressions 1 of Oklahoma City, it took the highest score in tournament history to capture the Regular Team title in 2014.
The team's performance last June quickly became the talk of the bowling world, and when the tournament concluded a few weeks later, the teammates owned a USBC Open Championships record and a permanent place in the event's history.
There were celebrations, congratulations, interviews and presentations, but before long, the 2015 Open Championships kicked off at the El Paso Convention Center, and it was time to start preparing to put that title on the line.
All of the recognition and accolades that came with the victory definitely were earned by the members of Artistic Expressions 1, but so too were the targets on their backs as more than 7,300 other teams also began preparing to head to The Sun City to take away the crown.
Artistic Expressions captain Pete Thomas was the first of the group to arrive in El Paso, in town early to scout out the custom venue and watch some other top teams take to the championship lanes. Anthony Lavery-Spahr and Ted Pritts were close behind, and Xeno Garcia and Jimmy McMartin arrived in plenty of time for the team to have a practice session on the Showcase Lanes.
Unsure of what kind of emotions would come with being introduced as champions for the first time, the teammates were excited, but calm, focused and confident in their game plan.
The recognition they received before arriving at their lanes added some nerves and pressure, which clearly showed early in their opening game Tuesday, but it didn't take long for them to find their stride again.
The defending champions endured some up and downs on their way to games of 1,022 and 952, but a rally down the stretch helped them to a 1,114 finale and a 3,088 total, which is seventh in the Regular Team standings this year. Junior Team USA Support 1 of Las Vegas leads with 3,359.
"We just never really got into a rhythm like we wanted to, and we definitely didn't make the right adjustments," said Thomas, who made his 17th Open Championships appearance. "Last year, everyone was in sync, and we didn't have any issues. It was a little different today. There's no doubt we were prepared and ready, so it's frustrating that we didn't come together the way we wanted to. A lot has to happen, and everything has to go right, to win an eagle."
Garcia led the title defense with a 698 series and was followed by Lavery-Spahr (687), McMartin (605), Thomas (558) and Pritts (540).
As the defending champions and record holders, the teammates knew everyone would be watching and scrutinizing their performance, and after winning, they can't help but be a little more analytical of themselves, too.
"I think we read the pattern wrong while we were bowling and made some moves we shouldn't have," said Garcia, who rolled a 300 game during singles at the 2004 Open Championships. "We broke them down exactly the way we wanted to, but we just didn't execute along the way."
The Thomas-led squad is on a memorable run at the Open Championships, as four members of the team (Pritts, Garcia, McMartin and Thomas) have become regulars near the top of the team standings. In 2012, the group finished fifth in Regular Team with a 3,316 total, and they returned in 2013 with a 3,425 total and 16th-place effort.
Now, with the pressure-filled team event behind them, the focus switches to doubles and singles and the possibility of success in a different event. They'll be back on the lanes at the El Paso Convention Center on Wednesday at 11 a.m. EDT.
"The way they treated us today was amazing, and we appreciate all of the attention," Thomas said. "Everyone was walking up to us and congratulating us, and the experience was beyond expectations. We enjoyed the experience of walking in as champions, but now we're ready for tomorrow. We have a good plan, and a couple of the guys have a good chance at doing something after today. We're ready to do our best and see if we can chase down an eagle or two."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
EL PASO, Texas - It often takes the performance of a lifetime to win a title at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, but for Artistic Expressions 1 of Oklahoma City, it took the highest score in tournament history to capture the Regular Team title in 2014.
The team's performance last June quickly became the talk of the bowling world, and when the tournament concluded a few weeks later, the teammates owned a USBC Open Championships record and a permanent place in the event's history.
There were celebrations, congratulations, interviews and presentations, but before long, the 2015 Open Championships kicked off at the El Paso Convention Center, and it was time to start preparing to put that title on the line.
All of the recognition and accolades that came with the victory definitely were earned by the members of Artistic Expressions 1, but so too were the targets on their backs as more than 7,300 other teams also began preparing to head to The Sun City to take away the crown.
Artistic Expressions captain Pete Thomas was the first of the group to arrive in El Paso, in town early to scout out the custom venue and watch some other top teams take to the championship lanes. Anthony Lavery-Spahr and Ted Pritts were close behind, and Xeno Garcia and Jimmy McMartin arrived in plenty of time for the team to have a practice session on the Showcase Lanes.
Unsure of what kind of emotions would come with being introduced as champions for the first time, the teammates were excited, but calm, focused and confident in their game plan.
The recognition they received before arriving at their lanes added some nerves and pressure, which clearly showed early in their opening game Tuesday, but it didn't take long for them to find their stride again.
The defending champions endured some up and downs on their way to games of 1,022 and 952, but a rally down the stretch helped them to a 1,114 finale and a 3,088 total, which is seventh in the Regular Team standings this year. Junior Team USA Support 1 of Las Vegas leads with 3,359.
"We just never really got into a rhythm like we wanted to, and we definitely didn't make the right adjustments," said Thomas, who made his 17th Open Championships appearance. "Last year, everyone was in sync, and we didn't have any issues. It was a little different today. There's no doubt we were prepared and ready, so it's frustrating that we didn't come together the way we wanted to. A lot has to happen, and everything has to go right, to win an eagle."
Garcia led the title defense with a 698 series and was followed by Lavery-Spahr (687), McMartin (605), Thomas (558) and Pritts (540).
As the defending champions and record holders, the teammates knew everyone would be watching and scrutinizing their performance, and after winning, they can't help but be a little more analytical of themselves, too.
"I think we read the pattern wrong while we were bowling and made some moves we shouldn't have," said Garcia, who rolled a 300 game during singles at the 2004 Open Championships. "We broke them down exactly the way we wanted to, but we just didn't execute along the way."
The Thomas-led squad is on a memorable run at the Open Championships, as four members of the team (Pritts, Garcia, McMartin and Thomas) have become regulars near the top of the team standings. In 2012, the group finished fifth in Regular Team with a 3,316 total, and they returned in 2013 with a 3,425 total and 16th-place effort.
Now, with the pressure-filled team event behind them, the focus switches to doubles and singles and the possibility of success in a different event. They'll be back on the lanes at the El Paso Convention Center on Wednesday at 11 a.m. EDT.
"The way they treated us today was amazing, and we appreciate all of the attention," Thomas said. "Everyone was walking up to us and congratulating us, and the experience was beyond expectations. We enjoyed the experience of walking in as champions, but now we're ready for tomorrow. We have a good plan, and a couple of the guys have a good chance at doing something after today. We're ready to do our best and see if we can chase down an eagle or two."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.