Nevada pair coasts to doubles lead at 2016 USBC Mixed

LAS VEGAS - A familiar adage used when talking about missed opportunities in the sports world is "there's always next year."

At the United States Bowling Congress Mixed, bowlers are allowed multiple entries into the mixed team, mixed doubles and open singles competition, and Melissa Peters of nearby Henderson, Nevada, used a return visit to the event to find the top of the standings in Division 1 Mixed Doubles at the South Point Bowling Center on Sunday.

Peters and Adam Ishman of Las Vegas cruised into the lead with a 1,461 total, passing Marcia Kloempken of Pleasant View, Utah, and Steve Smith of San Diego, who previously held the lead with 1,381.

Ishman, a 36-year-old right-hander, led the effort with games of 247, 235 and 269 for a 751 series, while Peters, a 29-year-old right-hander, added 248, 217 and 245 for 710.

After competing at the USBC Mixed for the first time in April, Peters found herself leading Division 1 Doubles with Team USA member John Janawicz of Winter Haven, Florida (1,335), as well as Division 1 Team with Lodge Lanes Mixed of Tonganoxie, Kansas (2,594).

Since April, both of those scores had dropped a few spots in the standings, but Sunday's performance has helped in what already has been a successful return to the national stage for Peters, who took some time away from the sport after helping Wichita State to titles at the 2007 and 2009 Intercollegiate Team Championships.

"This might be my third month back," said Peters, who is married to Professional Bowlers Association titlist Jake Peters. "I took a long break after college, but I'm glad to be back and to have Adam ask me to bowl. This definitely means a lot. Losing the lead, especially in team, was disappointing, so I think coming out here and putting up a big number with Adam gives me a little more push to come back out and bowl a little bit more."

The pair quickly saw a look that was going to give them an opportunity to make a run at the leading number, and they put an exclamation point on the effort by averaging 257 in the final game.

"I knew after the first game it was looking pretty good," said Ishman, who helped K&K Bowling Services 5 of Las Vegas capture the Team All-Events title at the 2011 USBC Open Championships. "We broke them down the right way and just tried to keep it going with what we had to start."

Ishman and Peters now have a short wait to see if their score can be matched. The final squad for doubles and singles at the 2016 Mixed will take place July 10 at 3 p.m. Eastern.

"It's always good to win something, so hopefully it stands," said Ishman, a district sales manager for Ebonite International. "Jake and Melissa are good friends of mine, so it's always good to share a win with friends."

Division 1 Doubles features mixed pairs with combined entering averages of 380 and above.

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