First-timer capitalizes on second chance at USBC Open Championships
March 20, 2010
RENO, Nev. - When Jason Schwartz of Belvidere, Ill., found himself on the verge of perfection at the USBC Open Championships on Saturday, his nerves got the best of him and he fell short in his bid for the third 300 of this year's event.
Two games later, the 21-year-old right-hander got a second chance at a perfect game and took full advantage of the opportunity, capping off his Open Championships debut with a milestone achievement.
Schwartz posted games of 228, 182 and 288 for a 698 series in doubles, and although he still was a little disappointed heading into singles, he was able to refocus and regain his stride. After a 152 start, he bounced back with 300 and 213 for 665.
"I just didn't want to make a fool of myself," said Schwartz about his first shot at 300. "I wanted to get up there and throw the best shot I could throw using everything I've learned since I was 6. Afterwards, I thought to myself, 'this could be my only chance to do it, and I screwed up.' I was kind of angry, but still happy because 288 is still a good game."
When he started stringing strikes again, Schwartz remembered what he learned earlier and reminded himself to stay down on each shot and not pull it like he did on his 11th ball two games earlier. He calmly delivered the final three strikes and finished his first visit to the Open Championships with a 1,902 all-events total.
"I knew I had the skill to do somewhat OK, but I just didn't expect it to be this good," said Schwartz, who started with a 539 series in team at the National Bowling Stadium on Friday. "It was amazing. This is the greatest experience I've had so far in my bowling career."
Over the years, Schwartz has progressed through the USBC ranks, from youth to high school to collegiate bowling. He has honed his skills on Sport Bowling lane conditions and tested them at premier events like the USBC Junior Gold Championships.
Last weekend, the McKendree University junior helped his team to a runner-up finish at one of four sectional qualifiers (Peoria, Ill.) and earned the school its first-ever berth into the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships.
The ITCs will be held April 14-17 at the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center in El Paso, Texas, the same venue that will host the USBC Women's Championships from March 27-July 4 and the USBC Queens and Senior Queens from April 23-28.
"What a great two weeks," Schwartz said. "I got a chance, because of my parents, to go to college and bowl, and it's just been amazing. I've learned so much from my coach at school, Dennis Knepper, who has helped me a lot, and my dad through all the past years, and it all just came together. It was great."
Regular Singles leader Barry Zimmerman of Grand Forks, N.D., rolled the first perfect game of the 2010 Open Championships on the way to a 766 singles series, and Porter Angel of Orlando, Fla., tossed the second, which also was the first of his bowling career.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. 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.
Two games later, the 21-year-old right-hander got a second chance at a perfect game and took full advantage of the opportunity, capping off his Open Championships debut with a milestone achievement.
Schwartz posted games of 228, 182 and 288 for a 698 series in doubles, and although he still was a little disappointed heading into singles, he was able to refocus and regain his stride. After a 152 start, he bounced back with 300 and 213 for 665.
"I just didn't want to make a fool of myself," said Schwartz about his first shot at 300. "I wanted to get up there and throw the best shot I could throw using everything I've learned since I was 6. Afterwards, I thought to myself, 'this could be my only chance to do it, and I screwed up.' I was kind of angry, but still happy because 288 is still a good game."
When he started stringing strikes again, Schwartz remembered what he learned earlier and reminded himself to stay down on each shot and not pull it like he did on his 11th ball two games earlier. He calmly delivered the final three strikes and finished his first visit to the Open Championships with a 1,902 all-events total.
"I knew I had the skill to do somewhat OK, but I just didn't expect it to be this good," said Schwartz, who started with a 539 series in team at the National Bowling Stadium on Friday. "It was amazing. This is the greatest experience I've had so far in my bowling career."
Over the years, Schwartz has progressed through the USBC ranks, from youth to high school to collegiate bowling. He has honed his skills on Sport Bowling lane conditions and tested them at premier events like the USBC Junior Gold Championships.
Last weekend, the McKendree University junior helped his team to a runner-up finish at one of four sectional qualifiers (Peoria, Ill.) and earned the school its first-ever berth into the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships.
The ITCs will be held April 14-17 at the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center in El Paso, Texas, the same venue that will host the USBC Women's Championships from March 27-July 4 and the USBC Queens and Senior Queens from April 23-28.
"What a great two weeks," Schwartz said. "I got a chance, because of my parents, to go to college and bowl, and it's just been amazing. I've learned so much from my coach at school, Dennis Knepper, who has helped me a lot, and my dad through all the past years, and it all just came together. It was great."
Regular Singles leader Barry Zimmerman of Grand Forks, N.D., rolled the first perfect game of the 2010 Open Championships on the way to a 766 singles series, and Porter Angel of Orlando, Fla., tossed the second, which also was the first of his bowling career.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. 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.