New Jersey bowler rolls first perfect game at USBC Mixed
June 28, 2016
LAS VEGAS - Justin Sloan of Saddle Brook, New Jersey, etched his name into the record books Monday at the United States Bowling Congress Mixed by becoming the first player to roll a perfect game at the event.
The 32-year-old right-hander tossed 12 consecutive strikes during his second game of doubles at the South Point Bowling Center, the home of doubles and singles portion of the 2016 USBC Mixed. The team event is contested at the 60-lane South Point Bowling Plaza.
Although Sloan already was excited to add a 300 game to his resume on the national stage, the addition of becoming the first player in the event's two-year history alongside the USBC Women's Championships to accomplish the feat was an added and unexpected bonus.
"This definitely is ranking No. 1 right now in my mind," Sloan said. "It's one of those check marks you want. I didn't think I was the first. I thought for sure that someone would have shot one last year, but I'll definitely take it. It's even better than I thought."
After starting his doubles set with a 269 effort, Sloan felt some nerves stepping up in the 10th frame during his run at perfection, but he knew he could not let the opportunity slip away.
"It was nerve-racking," said Sloan, who made his second consecutive appearance at the Mixed. "I actually was pretty nervous, and I usually don't get that way anymore for a 300. I had a good look and just wanted to get it off my hand well and hope for the best. On the second shot, I missed a little right, but it gave it to me. The final shot, I put it there. I knew I only had one shot at this, so I hoped to not mess it up."
The right lane ended up giving Sloan some trouble in the finale as three splits resulted in a 189 finish for a 758 series. He paired with Erica Perez of Carteret, New Jersey, in the mixed doubles event for a 1,320 total, which is just outside of the top 10 in Division 1 Doubles.
Past Team USA members Marcia Kloempken of Pleasant View, Utah, and Steve Smith of San Diego lead with 1,381.
Sloan was able to celebrate the moment with his wife, Kathleen, and a group of friends who took the opportunity to lace up and hit the lanes as much as possible while at South Point.
Sloan now hopes to see the Mixed continue to grow heading into Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 2017.
"This was an awesome experience," Sloan said. "I hope it keeps growing. To roll the first 300 is amazing, and it's something I always can say that I have."
The USBC Mixed debuted alongside the 2015 Women's Championships in Reno, Nevada, featuring the same divisional structure as the Women's Championships in four-player team (two men and two women per team), mixed doubles (one man and one woman) and open singles competition.
Division 1 Doubles includes pairs with combined entering averages of 380 and above.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
The 32-year-old right-hander tossed 12 consecutive strikes during his second game of doubles at the South Point Bowling Center, the home of doubles and singles portion of the 2016 USBC Mixed. The team event is contested at the 60-lane South Point Bowling Plaza.
Although Sloan already was excited to add a 300 game to his resume on the national stage, the addition of becoming the first player in the event's two-year history alongside the USBC Women's Championships to accomplish the feat was an added and unexpected bonus.
"This definitely is ranking No. 1 right now in my mind," Sloan said. "It's one of those check marks you want. I didn't think I was the first. I thought for sure that someone would have shot one last year, but I'll definitely take it. It's even better than I thought."
After starting his doubles set with a 269 effort, Sloan felt some nerves stepping up in the 10th frame during his run at perfection, but he knew he could not let the opportunity slip away.
"It was nerve-racking," said Sloan, who made his second consecutive appearance at the Mixed. "I actually was pretty nervous, and I usually don't get that way anymore for a 300. I had a good look and just wanted to get it off my hand well and hope for the best. On the second shot, I missed a little right, but it gave it to me. The final shot, I put it there. I knew I only had one shot at this, so I hoped to not mess it up."
The right lane ended up giving Sloan some trouble in the finale as three splits resulted in a 189 finish for a 758 series. He paired with Erica Perez of Carteret, New Jersey, in the mixed doubles event for a 1,320 total, which is just outside of the top 10 in Division 1 Doubles.
Past Team USA members Marcia Kloempken of Pleasant View, Utah, and Steve Smith of San Diego lead with 1,381.
Sloan was able to celebrate the moment with his wife, Kathleen, and a group of friends who took the opportunity to lace up and hit the lanes as much as possible while at South Point.
Sloan now hopes to see the Mixed continue to grow heading into Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 2017.
"This was an awesome experience," Sloan said. "I hope it keeps growing. To roll the first 300 is amazing, and it's something I always can say that I have."
The USBC Mixed debuted alongside the 2015 Women's Championships in Reno, Nevada, featuring the same divisional structure as the Women's Championships in four-player team (two men and two women per team), mixed doubles (one man and one woman) and open singles competition.
Division 1 Doubles includes pairs with combined entering averages of 380 and above.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.