Defending Team All-Events champions just miss lead at Open Championships
June 23, 2017
LAS VEGAS - After a breakthrough performance at the 2016 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships helped Higgy's Aquarium of Westerville, Ohio, capture the Team All-Events title, the team nearly repeated the effort in its title defense this week, just missing the top spot at the 2017 event.
Led by a strong showing in singles competition Friday at the South Point Bowling Plaza, Higgy's Aquarium moved into second place in Team All-Events with a 9,930 total. Team NABR of Fairport, New York, leads with 9,957.
The last team to successfully defend a Team All-Events title at the USBC Open Championships was Lodge Lanes of Belleville, Michigan, which won in 1997 and 1998.
Joe Bailey led the way for Higgy's Aquarium at the Bowling Plaza this week with a 2,106 all-events total, and he was joined by Josh Conner (2,083), Dan Higgins (2,046), Chad Roberts (1,917) and Tony Carson (1,778).
After completing their team (3,154) and doubles (3,205) sets, the group needed to average nearly 240 a player in singles to retain their reign in the 45-game Team All-Events marathon.
The teammates needed 1,217 in their final game of singles and stepped up in the 10th frame with the chance to get to 1,223. They went on to close with a 1,190 effort and finished singles with a 3,571 total, a 238.06 combined average.
Higgins led the singles surge with games of 236, 289 and 256 for a 781 total, which moved him into third place in Regular Singles. Bailey added 748 and was followed by Roberts (746), Conner (703) and Carson (593).
Matt Gasn of Clarksville, Tennessee, and Steve De Kerf Jr. of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, share the lead in Regular Singles with 802.
"We left a lot out there yesterday but knew we still could get a run going if we could work together and communicate like we always do," said Conner, who made his sixth Open Championships appearance. "We definitely gave away some pins to start doubles but really stuck with it. By the end of doubles, three or four of us thought we could put up a pretty big number in singles, but we definitely didn't envision putting up nearly 3,600."
Higgy's Aquarium coasted to the title at the 2016 Open Championships in Reno, Nevada, taking the lead by more than 300 pins on its way to a 10,041 total at the National Bowling Stadium, which also included a second-place finish in Regular Team and a runner-up showing in Regular Doubles from Higgins and Roberts.
Higgy's Aquarium consistently has found its way near the top of the standings in recent years, and the overall effort in 2016 netted the group its first win on the championship lanes.
They received their championship watches in a ceremony prior to their team event Thursday and needed a few frames to settle in before falling into a familiar rhythm. Talent aside, the team also relies on the camaraderie built over the years. The team members have no qualms about looking ahead to continued success at the event.
"Last year was like a dream come true," said Higgins, who made his 21st tournament appearance. "Our team has worked so hard to get here, and it was great for everything to come together like that for us. Today's performance gives us so much confidence moving forward, knowing that we're never out of it. Our teams gel so well together, and the chemistry and communication go a long way in helping us execute our game plan. I wish we would have gotten a few more pins, but maybe we'll make come back next year and make another run. That's our goal every year."
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Led by a strong showing in singles competition Friday at the South Point Bowling Plaza, Higgy's Aquarium moved into second place in Team All-Events with a 9,930 total. Team NABR of Fairport, New York, leads with 9,957.
The last team to successfully defend a Team All-Events title at the USBC Open Championships was Lodge Lanes of Belleville, Michigan, which won in 1997 and 1998.
Joe Bailey led the way for Higgy's Aquarium at the Bowling Plaza this week with a 2,106 all-events total, and he was joined by Josh Conner (2,083), Dan Higgins (2,046), Chad Roberts (1,917) and Tony Carson (1,778).
After completing their team (3,154) and doubles (3,205) sets, the group needed to average nearly 240 a player in singles to retain their reign in the 45-game Team All-Events marathon.
The teammates needed 1,217 in their final game of singles and stepped up in the 10th frame with the chance to get to 1,223. They went on to close with a 1,190 effort and finished singles with a 3,571 total, a 238.06 combined average.
Higgins led the singles surge with games of 236, 289 and 256 for a 781 total, which moved him into third place in Regular Singles. Bailey added 748 and was followed by Roberts (746), Conner (703) and Carson (593).
Matt Gasn of Clarksville, Tennessee, and Steve De Kerf Jr. of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, share the lead in Regular Singles with 802.
"We left a lot out there yesterday but knew we still could get a run going if we could work together and communicate like we always do," said Conner, who made his sixth Open Championships appearance. "We definitely gave away some pins to start doubles but really stuck with it. By the end of doubles, three or four of us thought we could put up a pretty big number in singles, but we definitely didn't envision putting up nearly 3,600."
Higgy's Aquarium coasted to the title at the 2016 Open Championships in Reno, Nevada, taking the lead by more than 300 pins on its way to a 10,041 total at the National Bowling Stadium, which also included a second-place finish in Regular Team and a runner-up showing in Regular Doubles from Higgins and Roberts.
Higgy's Aquarium consistently has found its way near the top of the standings in recent years, and the overall effort in 2016 netted the group its first win on the championship lanes.
They received their championship watches in a ceremony prior to their team event Thursday and needed a few frames to settle in before falling into a familiar rhythm. Talent aside, the team also relies on the camaraderie built over the years. The team members have no qualms about looking ahead to continued success at the event.
"Last year was like a dream come true," said Higgins, who made his 21st tournament appearance. "Our team has worked so hard to get here, and it was great for everything to come together like that for us. Today's performance gives us so much confidence moving forward, knowing that we're never out of it. Our teams gel so well together, and the chemistry and communication go a long way in helping us execute our game plan. I wish we would have gotten a few more pins, but maybe we'll make come back next year and make another run. That's our goal every year."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.