New York bowler set national record during state tournament

ARLINGTON, Texas – Jessica Aiezza of Mechanicville, New York, set a United States Bowling Congress women’s national record for nine games with an all-events total of 2,388 at the New York State Women’s Championships last weekend.

Aiezza, a 34-year-old left-hander, competed in the tournament held at AMF Strike ’N Spare Lanes in Syracuse on April 11-12. She had games of 247, 290 and 279 for an 816 series in the team event April 11. She then posted an 802 series in doubles with games of 278, 277 and 247, and a 770 series (266, 235 and 269) in singles April 12.

Caren Park of Seattle previously held the nine-game women’s record of 2,373, set in the 1991-1992 season. Eugene McCune of Munster, Indiana, holds the Open record for nine games at 2,468.

“It means a great deal,” Aiezza said about breaking the record. “I was taken back by the longevity of the previous record, given the amazing talent there is today and in recent history. It was an amazing feeling to be able to put together three high series as I did back to back to back.”

She said it was after the first game of her third set that a teammate mentioned Aiezza might have a shot at the state record.

“In an attempt to look that up, we also saw the national record,” she said. “While I knew the state record was well within my reach, there was only an outside chance of surpassing the national record. It came down to the wire. I needed the first strike in the 10th frame of the last game to eclipse it and ended up getting all three.”

A two-time USBC National Standard High Average Award winner, including the 2011-12 season when she posted a 241 average for 112 games to claim the women’s title, Aiezza now has 22 800 series for her career.