California bowler grabs singles lead at Bowlers Journal Championships

RENO, Nev. - When Anthony Thompson of Redding, Calif., was in town for the 2010 USBC Open Championships last month, he also made time to compete at the nearby Storm Bowlers Journal Championships, presented by USBC.

The 28-year-old left-hander left Reno feeling good about his performance at both events, but when another bowling tournament brought him back to the area, he took the opportunity to try to improve his score at the Bowlers Journal Championships.

"I was able to bowl eight games on the pattern and get an idea of what zone to be in and what kind of rotation to put on the ball," said Thompson, who shot 987 and 870 at the Bowlers Journal last month. "I don't live that far away (190 miles), so I was thinking about coming back to bowl again, anyway. Since I'm back in town to bowl in a tournament in Carson City, I decided to go back to the Bowlers Journal."

Thompson's decision proved to be a good one as he put together games of 248, 256, 299 and 224 and moved into the top spot in Classic Singles with a 1,027 total over the weekend. Paul Fleming of Fort Worth, Texas, previously held the lead with 988. Fleming still is leading Open Singles with 1,018.

"I'm stoked," Thompson said. "I'm probably going to be on the website every day hoping no one knocks me down."

At the Open Championships this year, Thompson shot 721 in team, 657 in doubles and 615 in singles for a 1,993 all-events total. His success at both tournaments has helped build his confidence, and he hopes that momentum can carry over to other tournaments.

"I had a pretty good year at Nationals, and although it wasn't my best, it was solid," said Thompson, who posted a career-best all-events total of 2,027 at the 2006 event in Corpus Christi, Texas. "To win a Bowlers Journal title would be awesome, and I hope I continue to bowl well when I head to the High Roller and Mini Eliminator for the first time in Las Vegas later this month."

Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, Nevada. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.