Family key in Ohio bowler reaching 50 USBC Open Championships
June 07, 2016
By Matt Cannizzaro and Christian Seaborn
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - John Sroka of Lancaster, Ohio, reached a special milestone Monday at the 2016 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships as he made his 50th appearance on the tournament lanes.
His journey to five decades of participation began in 1960, just after his return home from serving in the United States Marines. He attended his first USBC Open Championships in Toledo, Ohio.
"That was the biggest thrill of my life to that point," Sroka said. "Tonight, however, this was the biggest thrill I've ever experienced in bowling."
To commemorate the event at the National Bowling Stadium, Sroka received a plaque, chevron and special lapel pin. He was escorted down Center Aisle by his wife, Becky, and daughter, Jacqueline.
Sroka points out that none of this would have been possible without his family behind him over the years.
While his wife and daughter were able to make the trip, Sroka added that the support of his son John Jr. also has been vitally significant.
Equally important to Sroka's bowling career has been his bowling partner and best friend, Ray Valerino. The two have been friends for more than 35 years and shared the lanes this week at the NBS.
In addition to the thrills of the Open Championships, Sroka has enjoyed participating in the Pittsburgh's top leagues, appearing on television there 14 times. He now has been bowling in Ohio for 29 years and had a big impact on the bowling community there as well.
In 1990, Sroka was inducted into the Greater Pittsburgh USBC Bowling Association Hall of Fame for Superior Performance, and, clearly, there has been no letting up for the 79-year-old right-hander, who was inducted into the Southeastern Ohio USBC Hall of Fame earlier this year.
Of the many cities Sroka has visited while competing in the Open Championships, he says Knoxville (his first Open Championships visit there in 1970) and Las Vegas, where he made his 20th appearance in 1986, have been his two favorites.
When asked if he's looking forward to the 2017 event as it makes its debut in the new South Point Bowling Plaza in Las Vegas, Sroka was quick to reply a yes.
"He wouldn't miss it for the world," his wife added.
Sroka only competed in team this year at the NBS and rolled a 405 series. In 50 tournament appearances, he has knocked down 75,933 pins for a career average of 175.6.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - John Sroka of Lancaster, Ohio, reached a special milestone Monday at the 2016 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships as he made his 50th appearance on the tournament lanes.
His journey to five decades of participation began in 1960, just after his return home from serving in the United States Marines. He attended his first USBC Open Championships in Toledo, Ohio.
"That was the biggest thrill of my life to that point," Sroka said. "Tonight, however, this was the biggest thrill I've ever experienced in bowling."
To commemorate the event at the National Bowling Stadium, Sroka received a plaque, chevron and special lapel pin. He was escorted down Center Aisle by his wife, Becky, and daughter, Jacqueline.
Sroka points out that none of this would have been possible without his family behind him over the years.
While his wife and daughter were able to make the trip, Sroka added that the support of his son John Jr. also has been vitally significant.
Equally important to Sroka's bowling career has been his bowling partner and best friend, Ray Valerino. The two have been friends for more than 35 years and shared the lanes this week at the NBS.
In addition to the thrills of the Open Championships, Sroka has enjoyed participating in the Pittsburgh's top leagues, appearing on television there 14 times. He now has been bowling in Ohio for 29 years and had a big impact on the bowling community there as well.
In 1990, Sroka was inducted into the Greater Pittsburgh USBC Bowling Association Hall of Fame for Superior Performance, and, clearly, there has been no letting up for the 79-year-old right-hander, who was inducted into the Southeastern Ohio USBC Hall of Fame earlier this year.
Of the many cities Sroka has visited while competing in the Open Championships, he says Knoxville (his first Open Championships visit there in 1970) and Las Vegas, where he made his 20th appearance in 1986, have been his two favorites.
When asked if he's looking forward to the 2017 event as it makes its debut in the new South Point Bowling Plaza in Las Vegas, Sroka was quick to reply a yes.
"He wouldn't miss it for the world," his wife added.
Sroka only competed in team this year at the NBS and rolled a 405 series. In 50 tournament appearances, he has knocked down 75,933 pins for a career average of 175.6.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.