Colorado bowler climbs leaderboard in singles at 2024 Open Championships

LAS VEGAS – Jason Sarno of Erie, Colorado, put together three steady games, filling as many frames as possible to get to the lead in Classified Singles on Tuesday at the 2024 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.

The 48-year-old right-hander rolled games of 206, 211 and 216 at the South Point Bowling Plaza for a 633 series, jumping ahead of David Hunnicutt Jr. of Thomaston, Georgia, who previously held the lead with 626.

Sarno was just looking to keep his ball in play after a less than desirable doubles set and tried to leave makeable spares if he didn’t strike.

“I started off rough in doubles with a 108 game, but I stuck with a game plan by staying right and using my Black Hammer urethane,” Sarno said. “Luckily, the pair of guys we were bowling with helped me get lined up by watching them, and I just did my best to not give away the pocket and stay clean.”

With a solid start in his first two games, Sarno stayed clean through his first nine frames in Game 3. Stepping up in the 10th frame, he needed a mark for the chance to claim the top spot.

He left the 2-4-5-8 on his first delivery and converted the spare, and a strike on his fill ball officially placed his name at the top of the standings.

“I knew if I stuck to my game plan, good things would come,” Sarno said. “But, I didn’t realize I could get to the lead like this.”

Sarno made his fourth appearance at the USBC Open Championships this year, and he was able to bowl with his son, Matthew Sarno, while donning a matching set of jerseys that featured a caricature of Matthew’s dog.

“Bowling with my son is great, and we have been able to bowl doubles together the last three years,” Sarno said. “My wife actually helped to design these sweet jerseys we have on this year, and it is supposed to look like Matt’s puppy, which was a nice touch.”

Sarno started bowling the Open Championships in 2019, which began as a family trip with his father, Donald Sarno Sr., and brother, Donald Sarno Jr.

“I got my start here coming with my dad and brother, and we just decided to turn it into a little family trip each year now, including my son as well,” Sarno said. “We come to have fun for the most part, but I also like the competition here, which has kept me coming back after my first experience a few years ago.”

While he’s still fairly new to the Open Championships, it would still be a dream of Sarno’s to win a title at the event.

“Now that I know I have the lead, the nerves have set in a little bit that this is a reality,” Sarno said. “It would be a life-changing experience to win this, so I plan on watching the leaderboard when I get home and hope I get a call with good news in a few months.”

Sarno added sets of 506 in team and 482 in doubles to finish his 2024 appearance with an all-events score of 1,621.

Classified Singles features bowlers with entering averages of 155 and below.

The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.

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