Four to Watch
January 31, 2025
Tim Foy Jr.: Ready to Win
Why the time is now for this Delaware standout
to make his mark on the PBA Tour in 2025.
By Emil Williams Jr.
Game 7.
Round of 8.
Winner advances to the televised finals to face EJ Tackett in the opening match of the 2024 Professional Bowlers Association Delaware Open.
The venue is Mid-County Lanes and Entertainment located in Middletown, Delaware, which is just one hour south of Seaford, Delaware — the home of Tim Foy Jr.
Foy admittedly is nervous. Heck, who wouldn’t be, considering the circumstances?
“I remember at that moment, I wasn't even sure if I had legs,” Foy will recall.
Needing a 10-pin conversion and a nine-count fill to shut out Nate Stubler, the 37-year-old two-hander steps onto the approach with a chance to live out a dream in front of a packed house filled with family and friends.
He delivers. It is a shot that will provide him with a momentum he will ride for the duration of the year.
“I was so nervous because I knew I needed nine to make the show,” Foy will say as he looks back on that signal moment in his career. “And then, I am at home. I got everyone I know in the building. I’m comfortable in that building, and I don't know if that made me more nervous or less nervous. I don't know. All I wanted was to give myself a chance.”
That moment, and the season that followed for Foy, demonstrate that he is poised to win his first PBA national title in 2025. Let’s just take a closer look at the highlight reel to see why, shall we?
In July, Foy threw a clutch strike in the 10th frame to help his squad, Before the 1st Frame #4, capture the Regular Team Eagle at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
In August, he snatched one of 12 coveted exemptions at the 2024 PBA Tour Trials. The event featured 48 games across four different centers with four different lane patterns. Earning a full-time exemption means he no longer has to qualify through a PTQ to advance to the main field in each PBA event.
If that’s not enough, Foy dominated the East Region on the 2024 PBA Regional Tour. He won four titles in nine events (along with three runner-up finishes) and qualified for the Regional Players Invitational.
Foy attributes his success in 2024 to many things, including his consistency across his mental and physical games and removing his thumb from his two-handed delivery, which changed his ball roll.
His family, though, is No. 1 on the list.
They help keep his work-life balance in check. When he’s not bowling, you can find Foy zipping from softball games to gymnastics meets. Without his family, “none of this even happens.”
And, with 13 years and counting as a prison corrections officer, he’s grown to cherish his accomplishments just a little more.
“It keeps you grounded,” said Foy, regarding his full-time job. “And it’s worked, honestly. It helps the mentality a little bit. Just the environment that you're in, it kind of toughens you up and puts certain things into perspective. For me, personally, I always see the better side of things in life with the job, so it allows me to enjoy the things that I've been able to achieve a little more than I probably could have if it wasn't for the job.
“I got to enjoy the Eagle a little more because I can understand how precious life really is and how quickly things can change in one's life. I hear all the stories from everyone who's currently incarcerated.”
This might be your first introduction to Foy. But, he first introduced himself to the national bowling world at the 2021 PBA Players Championship East Region final. There, Foy bowled Chris Via in the opening match and watched as Via tossed the 30th televised 300 game in PBA history.
He took the experience in stride, but just one month later at the USBC Masters, he gave the world a true glimpse of his future. After falling behind in his opening match against Jason Belmonte, Foy battled back to defeat the player whom many believe to be the greatest of all-time.
His good friend and former ball rep, Eric Krauss, was there to witness that comeback and his Tour Trials performance.
“He's not scared of anything or anyone,” Krauss said. “He has no fear. It doesn't matter if it's Belmo or EJ or Simo, he's not scared. The Tour Trials probably was the best I've ever seen him bowl. He was super consistent, and I think he bowled two games below 190 the entire week. He never gave away frames, stayed ahead of the moves and made all the right ball choices. But, the Masters probably is 1B.”
Foy has been blessed to be around hall-of-fame talent for many years in the form of Parker Bohn III. Foy’s father, Tim Sr., and Bohn grew up together competing in the same bowling center, while “Timmy” held Bohn in high regard as his idol.
Bohn has watched Foy continue to add to his bag of tricks, which gives him a chance to succeed on a weekly basis.
“I think the biggest thing he's learned is how to allow his ball to float through the front part of the lane,” Bohn said. “Any superstar on tour has figured out how to eliminate the front part of the lane. When you figure that out, now you only have to worry about controlling the back part.
“The next thing that he's learned is how to become a better spare shooter. Most of those guys that go out on the road, they can throw plenty of strikes, but filling frames? They don't realize how important that is until after they're out on the road for possibly a year or two.”
And where does the PBA Tour kick off this month? Delaware.
“I'm hoping to start the year off with a bang,” Foy says.
If anyone appears poised to do just that as a new season dawns on the PBA Tour, it is Tim Foy Jr.
The Rundown
Foy may still strike some as a newer name on the national bowling scene, but he is not new to those who have crossed paths with the man on the lanes. They know what he has done, what he is capable of, and how unsurprising it will be to see him join the spotlight of champions on the PBA Tour in 2025. Here is a rundown of key accomplishments in the 37-year-old’s career at both the regional and national levels…
Career National TV Appearances
2021 PBA Players Championship East Region Finals
2024 PBA Delaware Open
PBA Regional Tour
2024 PBA East Region Finishes
Ashly Galante: Hard Work Beats Talent.
From stout stats to a sterling work ethic, all indications
are that the future is now for this PWBA Tour veteran.
By Emil Williams Jr.
“Work, work, work, work, work, work.”
That might be one line from the chorus of Rihanna’s smash hit, “Work,” but it’s been a way of life for Ashly Galante since she first picked up a bowling ball.
A potent work ethic developed through years of constant training has allowed Galante to see her true potential as a pro. That potential began to peek through the clouds on a consistent basis during the previous two seasons on the Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour.
It’s a major reason why the 36-year-old right-hander looks poised to take another step forward in her development in 2025 and claim her first PWBA Tour title.
“I love it,” said Galante, regarding her work ethic. “I always have. I've worked at it since I was a kid. From the moment I started bowling until at least (age) 18, I remember I bowled four to six hours a day.”
Galante enjoyed being challenged and would attempt to roll as many games of 200 or better as she could while playing the half board or the fourth arrow to feed her mindset. Multiple games of “low-ball,” which is meant to improve spare shooting, became another item on the self-created practice regimen.
“I remember coaches would come over and say, ‘That's what separates you from everybody else. You’re here practicing spares and nobody else will do that,’” Galante said. “To me, it was about winning. It's about what I am going to do that will help me accomplish something even better and even greater in the future. That was always my focus.”
The future is here for Galante, and the proof is in the numbers.
During the 2023 season, Galante finished in the top 12 four times in 11 events and cashed in five other stops. She just missed advancing to her first career stepladder finals when she finished sixth at the 2023 PWBA Pepsi Open. She also led qualifying and finished third at the PWBA Regional Showdown.
By comparison, Galante finished in the top 12 just four times from 2015-2022.
In 2024, she notched her most important finish to date at the Greater Detroit Open — fourth.
After years of the stepladder finals feeling “just out of reach,” Galante followed a 1-5 start to match play with a perfect final round to qualify as the event’s fifth seed. She had finally closed a round like that great New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.
“It was amazing,” said Galante, who also was selected to Team USA in 2024. “You have to have that belief you can make it. I just remember it didn't feel real in the moment. It felt like it was something that wasn't happening after having a chance to reflect on it. Sometimes, I wondered if that was possible, but making my first show certainly helped my confidence. This is something that I can do. I can do this. I can do more.”
Five-time champion and major winner Dasha Kovalova knows Galante is on the cusp. Kovalova and Galante are roommates on tour, but most importantly, they are friends. Friends don’t let friends go through adversity alone, and the two have been perfect for each other on and off the lanes.
Whether it is playing video games like The Legend of Zelda on Nintendo Switch or drawing and creating art together, their relationship has meant the world not only to Galante, but to Kovalova.
Kovalova knew Galante belonged on that stage and was ecstatic to watch it unfold. As an athlete, she understands the self-doubt that can hinder an athlete from their destiny and enjoyed watching Galante obtain “physical proof” of what she could achieve.
She also watched the 2023 PWBA Regional Showdown on BowlTV, and despite not being in attendance, she could tell something was different during Galante’s performance. A champion’s confidence was beginning to show.
“She carried herself differently on the lanes,” Kovalova said. “There is a certain stillness in a player before they take it to the next level. It was calmer; it was more calculated. It was more like, ‘I'm ready to do this, and I'm not afraid.’ It’s like, ‘I'm ready to take on the responsibility that comes with becoming a champion.’”
While Kovalova has been instrumental as a roommate and friend, the coaching of Will Clark also has made a significant impact. Clark, who coaches several young stars including Jillian Martin and Julia Bond, has been working with Galante for a little more than two years.
Yet, in such a short period of time, Clark’s instructional methods coupled with Galante’s work ethic have produced immediate results both physically and mentally.
“If she keeps doing the work, special things will happen,” Clark said. “She eats right. She preps her food. She goes to the gym. She’s always asking questions and always wants more knowledge. She started drilling bowling balls and started learning more about drilling her own stuff.
“Her willingness to acknowledge her weaknesses is excellent. And she really, really has the tenacity and the determination to go and attack the things she is not good at in order to make them better. Those are traits that are going to allow her to have more opportunities to make TV shows, which will give her more opportunities to win titles.”
Opportunity knocks in 2025 beginning in Kansas at the PWBA Topeka Open in May. Galante will, it seems clear, be ready.
Anna Antony: What a Journey it’s Been
An unlikely path to youth-bowling stardom may
bring this shining star to even brighter destinations.
By Jennifer Roback
It is not all that uncommon to hear young bowlers describe their earliest memories as having been forged in a bowling center — often because their parents had been taking them there early on, some even before they could walk or talk.
For Anna Antony, nothing could be further from the truth. While it was indeed her father who first got her interested in the sport, it wasn’t because he was a lifelong bowler himself. He was simply just a devoted father of four, looking to spend time with his children.
“We moved to [Connecticut] from Chicago, and I wanted to find something that I could do with all the kids,” her father Anthony said. “There was this program where kids bowled free all summer long, so I brought the kids during my lunchtime. [Anna’s] the only one that stuck with it. She felt passionate about it and wanted to do more, and that’s how our journey started.”
And what a journey it’s been thus far. At only 15, Antony has already racked up a slew of accomplishments, ranging from multiple Connecticut State Pepsi Championship titles, five SYC Championship titles, the 2022 Youth Open Eagle Award, and the 2023 U15 David Dahms Sportsmanship Award, which is “given to competitors who best exemplify sportsmanship, leadership, positive attitude and enthusiasm during the Junior Gold Championships.”
Most recently, she finished seventh overall in the U15 division at the 2024 Junior Gold Championships in Detroit — her third Top-10 finish to date.
These achievements are a testament to the dedication and countless hours the young star pours into mastering her craft — a path that, remarkably, took flight not too long ago, fueled by the inspiration she found on YouTube.
Antony is among many young bowlers who have taken up a two-handed approach. When asked why she decided to embark on this path, she explained that she came across a YouTube clip from Jason Belmonte’s 2015 USBC Masters win and “felt inspired.” After that, she began looking into other two-handed bowlers and continued using YouTube videos as her education source. To this day, she still uses the platform to help perfect her craft.
“I think that if you want to get better at something, it’s really good to watch examples of it and do your best to [find] what will make you better,” she said. “When watching videos, what I really try to do is [look at] what the players are doing. Especially now, it’s so convenient that TV shows have Specto right on the lanes, so it’s nice to be able to see what types of moves the players are [making] and where they’re hitting the arrows.”
She added, “I think it’s really convenient to just watch what the pros do and try to [incorporate] it into my practices and just see how I do with it. It’s a lot of trial and error.”
Her work ethic is one of the things her parents are most proud of. She comes from a family that traditionally leans toward music and education, so when she wanted to take up bowling, it was a new world for both her and her parents. But they embraced her passion wholeheartedly and have been there to support her every step of the way.
“Anna has shown passion and advocacy in her pursuit,” her father shared. “We’re learning this with her. Having a competitive athlete in the house, it’s kind of a challenge for us because it’s our first experience too, dealing with a lot of new things.”
Together, Antony and her family have overcome every obstacle thrown their way, mostly because she has been able to take the initiative and advocate for what she needs.
“It’s been a journey, a learning journey,” Antony’s father added. “Both me and my wife are not bowlers, but we need to help her as much as possible, and it helps that she advocates for what she needs. If a child can advocate for what they need, it’s a pull rather than a push from a parent’s perspective. You know, if we ask them to do something, we sometimes get pushback, whereas with bowling it’s a pull. She’s telling us, ‘I want to go practice,’ or, ‘I want to go [bowl this event],’ or, ‘I need this,’ so it’s easier [on us] instead of figuring out what she might need. It [makes it] a much more joyful journey together, I would say.”
There is no question that Antony will continue to add more accolades to her résumé as the years go on. Heading into 2025, she has big plans for herself, many of which involve improving skills both on and off the lanes.
“I want to grow more in the mental aspect,” she added. “I want to just be able to read the lanes properly and not have as many mental blocks.”
Antony is already taking steps to enhance her mental game, diving into books and scientific articles. On top of that, she’s dedicating herself to improving her physical fitness to keep up with the demands of competitive bowling.
While she works hard on the lanes, she also makes time for her love of cooking and baking. Antony’s involvement in school clubs like Future Business Leaders of America also plays a big role in her life, helping her prepare for whatever challenges come next on the lanes and in her life. Whatever those challenges may be in the years ahead, Antony has proven herself to be adequately equipped to transcend them.
Aidan Furukawa: A Builder at Heart
How this aspiring architect has primed himself
for glory on the college-bowling scene with SCAD.
By Jennifer Roback
It is not uncommon for college freshmen to have an adjustment period when they first enter the college-bowling scene. That experience is a beast in its own right and, for many, it can take a few tournaments to adjust and get comfortable.
But that’s not the case for Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) freshman Aidan Furukawa.
No adjustment period was needed when he hit the lanes for the first time this season, already earning All-Tournament Team recognition at Tier 1 events and Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Bowlers of the Week honors.
The Sunbury, Ohio, native traded his snow boots for sunglasses when he headed down to Georgia to continue his academic and athletic career, with aspirations of becoming an architect who designs roller coasters and theme parks.
“I love roller coasters, that’s probably my biggest hobby,” Furukawa said. “I’ll [even] try and hit roller coasters when I travel for tournaments.”
To date, he has gone on over 200 coasters across North America. Still, his personal favorite is the Steel Vengeance, which is located roughly two hours from his hometown at Cedar Point.
His passion for roller coasters is a thrill-seeker’s dream, but his fascination with architecture runs deeper, inspired by his uncle’s footsteps in the industry. Furukawa’s interest in architecture mirrors his approach to bowling, where precision and strategy play critical roles. Much like drafting blueprints, he analyzes lane conditions and maps out his game plan with careful calculation — skills he has been able to work on as a member of Junior Team USA.
After all, who better to build a game than a guy who plans to build things for a living?
“I really worked with form and then lane play,” he said of his time thus far with Junior Team USA. “When [we] were working with my form, it all felt really awkward, and I almost didn’t agree with it. But after giving it a little bit of time to kind of set in, I feel like it has changed a lot from being really slow to actually getting some speed and power. And I’ve seen the lane a lot better than I have in the past.”
There is no question that Furukawa’s individual game has become an asset for the Bees, but it is arguably his team-oriented personality that truly sets him apart. Whether it’s offering advice during frames or cheering on his teammates from the sidelines, his positive energy and collaborative spirit have helped him settle into his role seamlessly as a freshman and contribute to the team’s early success.
“This biggest thing for Aidan is that it’s very evident that he’s team-oriented,” his coach, Katie Thornton, said. “He’s not focused on [personal goals]; it’s more like, when you hear him talk about the things he wants to do or the way he wants to perform, it’s because he wants to do it for the benefit of the team.
“He’s going to communicate, he’s going to be about the team, and he’s going to be consistent for us. You can’t really ask for much more,” Thornton added.
Furukawa’s teammate, Leoj Chin, a senior in the program, echoed Thornton’s remarks.
“He’s been exceptional at the level of bowling he’s been showcasing so far this season. I think that’s what really stood out to me,” Chin said. “He immediately jumped in. Even when he’s not in the lineup, he is always talking to his teammates, always communicating, and always [taking initiative].”
Chin also echoed Furukawa’s perspective on the SCAD team, explaining how the program's family-oriented aspect helps them succeed and has played a role in Furukawa’s transition onto the team this year.
“I think what sets us apart is that we really try to emphasize building a culture that’s more like a family. Being able to talk to each other, not just as teammates but also as friends,” Chin continued. “That’s what has made us successful, those kinds of relationships that have allowed us to have tough conversations [when needed] so we can address any issue almost immediately before it becomes a problem down the line.
“We gel really well together, and we have a lot of things in common and we enjoy each other’s company so that helps with the chemistry… [Aidan] is just one of the nicest people I’ve ever met and in the short time I’ve known him, he’s gotten really comfortable with the team, and he just has a really genuine heart so to just seem him come into a new environment and blend right in has been great.”
In short, Furukawa’s debut season with SCAD has been nothing short of remarkable. From making an immediate impact on the lanes to his seamless integration into a team that values connection and camaraderie, Furukawa embodies what it means to be a team player and a driven individual — traits destined to bring him great things both on the lanes and, someday soon, in his day job mulling over blueprints for years to come.
Why the time is now for this Delaware standout
to make his mark on the PBA Tour in 2025.
By Emil Williams Jr.
Game 7.
Round of 8.
Winner advances to the televised finals to face EJ Tackett in the opening match of the 2024 Professional Bowlers Association Delaware Open.
The venue is Mid-County Lanes and Entertainment located in Middletown, Delaware, which is just one hour south of Seaford, Delaware — the home of Tim Foy Jr.
Foy admittedly is nervous. Heck, who wouldn’t be, considering the circumstances?
“I remember at that moment, I wasn't even sure if I had legs,” Foy will recall.
Needing a 10-pin conversion and a nine-count fill to shut out Nate Stubler, the 37-year-old two-hander steps onto the approach with a chance to live out a dream in front of a packed house filled with family and friends.
He delivers. It is a shot that will provide him with a momentum he will ride for the duration of the year.
“I was so nervous because I knew I needed nine to make the show,” Foy will say as he looks back on that signal moment in his career. “And then, I am at home. I got everyone I know in the building. I’m comfortable in that building, and I don't know if that made me more nervous or less nervous. I don't know. All I wanted was to give myself a chance.”
That moment, and the season that followed for Foy, demonstrate that he is poised to win his first PBA national title in 2025. Let’s just take a closer look at the highlight reel to see why, shall we?
In July, Foy threw a clutch strike in the 10th frame to help his squad, Before the 1st Frame #4, capture the Regular Team Eagle at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
In August, he snatched one of 12 coveted exemptions at the 2024 PBA Tour Trials. The event featured 48 games across four different centers with four different lane patterns. Earning a full-time exemption means he no longer has to qualify through a PTQ to advance to the main field in each PBA event.
If that’s not enough, Foy dominated the East Region on the 2024 PBA Regional Tour. He won four titles in nine events (along with three runner-up finishes) and qualified for the Regional Players Invitational.
Foy attributes his success in 2024 to many things, including his consistency across his mental and physical games and removing his thumb from his two-handed delivery, which changed his ball roll.
His family, though, is No. 1 on the list.
They help keep his work-life balance in check. When he’s not bowling, you can find Foy zipping from softball games to gymnastics meets. Without his family, “none of this even happens.”
And, with 13 years and counting as a prison corrections officer, he’s grown to cherish his accomplishments just a little more.
“It keeps you grounded,” said Foy, regarding his full-time job. “And it’s worked, honestly. It helps the mentality a little bit. Just the environment that you're in, it kind of toughens you up and puts certain things into perspective. For me, personally, I always see the better side of things in life with the job, so it allows me to enjoy the things that I've been able to achieve a little more than I probably could have if it wasn't for the job.
“I got to enjoy the Eagle a little more because I can understand how precious life really is and how quickly things can change in one's life. I hear all the stories from everyone who's currently incarcerated.”
This might be your first introduction to Foy. But, he first introduced himself to the national bowling world at the 2021 PBA Players Championship East Region final. There, Foy bowled Chris Via in the opening match and watched as Via tossed the 30th televised 300 game in PBA history.
He took the experience in stride, but just one month later at the USBC Masters, he gave the world a true glimpse of his future. After falling behind in his opening match against Jason Belmonte, Foy battled back to defeat the player whom many believe to be the greatest of all-time.
His good friend and former ball rep, Eric Krauss, was there to witness that comeback and his Tour Trials performance.
“He's not scared of anything or anyone,” Krauss said. “He has no fear. It doesn't matter if it's Belmo or EJ or Simo, he's not scared. The Tour Trials probably was the best I've ever seen him bowl. He was super consistent, and I think he bowled two games below 190 the entire week. He never gave away frames, stayed ahead of the moves and made all the right ball choices. But, the Masters probably is 1B.”
Foy has been blessed to be around hall-of-fame talent for many years in the form of Parker Bohn III. Foy’s father, Tim Sr., and Bohn grew up together competing in the same bowling center, while “Timmy” held Bohn in high regard as his idol.
Bohn has watched Foy continue to add to his bag of tricks, which gives him a chance to succeed on a weekly basis.
“I think the biggest thing he's learned is how to allow his ball to float through the front part of the lane,” Bohn said. “Any superstar on tour has figured out how to eliminate the front part of the lane. When you figure that out, now you only have to worry about controlling the back part.
“The next thing that he's learned is how to become a better spare shooter. Most of those guys that go out on the road, they can throw plenty of strikes, but filling frames? They don't realize how important that is until after they're out on the road for possibly a year or two.”
And where does the PBA Tour kick off this month? Delaware.
“I'm hoping to start the year off with a bang,” Foy says.
If anyone appears poised to do just that as a new season dawns on the PBA Tour, it is Tim Foy Jr.
The Rundown
Foy may still strike some as a newer name on the national bowling scene, but he is not new to those who have crossed paths with the man on the lanes. They know what he has done, what he is capable of, and how unsurprising it will be to see him join the spotlight of champions on the PBA Tour in 2025. Here is a rundown of key accomplishments in the 37-year-old’s career at both the regional and national levels…
Career National TV Appearances
2021 PBA Players Championship East Region Finals
- Finished fifth
- COVID-replacement for Bill O’Neill
2024 PBA Delaware Open
- Qualified fourth, finished fourth
- Defeated EJ Tackett in opening round
PBA Regional Tour
2024 PBA East Region Finishes
- 8th - PBA First State Doubles Classic presented by Anchor Buick/GMC
- 1st - PBA Rita Justice Classic presented by Bally's Dover Casino Resort
- 2nd - PBA Bowlers Supply/Storm Open
- 3rd - PBA BowlerX Open
- 2nd - PBA Kingpins Family Fun Center BowlTV RPI Open
- 1st - PBA Bowlers Discount Pro Shop Open
- 2nd - PBA Howell Lanes Open
- 1st - PBA East Providence Lanes/StrikeFX Open
- 1st - PBA Fort Meade Open
Ashly Galante: Hard Work Beats Talent.
From stout stats to a sterling work ethic, all indications
are that the future is now for this PWBA Tour veteran.
By Emil Williams Jr.
“Work, work, work, work, work, work.”
That might be one line from the chorus of Rihanna’s smash hit, “Work,” but it’s been a way of life for Ashly Galante since she first picked up a bowling ball.
A potent work ethic developed through years of constant training has allowed Galante to see her true potential as a pro. That potential began to peek through the clouds on a consistent basis during the previous two seasons on the Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour.
It’s a major reason why the 36-year-old right-hander looks poised to take another step forward in her development in 2025 and claim her first PWBA Tour title.
“I love it,” said Galante, regarding her work ethic. “I always have. I've worked at it since I was a kid. From the moment I started bowling until at least (age) 18, I remember I bowled four to six hours a day.”
Galante enjoyed being challenged and would attempt to roll as many games of 200 or better as she could while playing the half board or the fourth arrow to feed her mindset. Multiple games of “low-ball,” which is meant to improve spare shooting, became another item on the self-created practice regimen.
“I remember coaches would come over and say, ‘That's what separates you from everybody else. You’re here practicing spares and nobody else will do that,’” Galante said. “To me, it was about winning. It's about what I am going to do that will help me accomplish something even better and even greater in the future. That was always my focus.”
The future is here for Galante, and the proof is in the numbers.
During the 2023 season, Galante finished in the top 12 four times in 11 events and cashed in five other stops. She just missed advancing to her first career stepladder finals when she finished sixth at the 2023 PWBA Pepsi Open. She also led qualifying and finished third at the PWBA Regional Showdown.
By comparison, Galante finished in the top 12 just four times from 2015-2022.
In 2024, she notched her most important finish to date at the Greater Detroit Open — fourth.
After years of the stepladder finals feeling “just out of reach,” Galante followed a 1-5 start to match play with a perfect final round to qualify as the event’s fifth seed. She had finally closed a round like that great New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.
“It was amazing,” said Galante, who also was selected to Team USA in 2024. “You have to have that belief you can make it. I just remember it didn't feel real in the moment. It felt like it was something that wasn't happening after having a chance to reflect on it. Sometimes, I wondered if that was possible, but making my first show certainly helped my confidence. This is something that I can do. I can do this. I can do more.”
Five-time champion and major winner Dasha Kovalova knows Galante is on the cusp. Kovalova and Galante are roommates on tour, but most importantly, they are friends. Friends don’t let friends go through adversity alone, and the two have been perfect for each other on and off the lanes.
Whether it is playing video games like The Legend of Zelda on Nintendo Switch or drawing and creating art together, their relationship has meant the world not only to Galante, but to Kovalova.
Kovalova knew Galante belonged on that stage and was ecstatic to watch it unfold. As an athlete, she understands the self-doubt that can hinder an athlete from their destiny and enjoyed watching Galante obtain “physical proof” of what she could achieve.
She also watched the 2023 PWBA Regional Showdown on BowlTV, and despite not being in attendance, she could tell something was different during Galante’s performance. A champion’s confidence was beginning to show.
“She carried herself differently on the lanes,” Kovalova said. “There is a certain stillness in a player before they take it to the next level. It was calmer; it was more calculated. It was more like, ‘I'm ready to do this, and I'm not afraid.’ It’s like, ‘I'm ready to take on the responsibility that comes with becoming a champion.’”
While Kovalova has been instrumental as a roommate and friend, the coaching of Will Clark also has made a significant impact. Clark, who coaches several young stars including Jillian Martin and Julia Bond, has been working with Galante for a little more than two years.
Yet, in such a short period of time, Clark’s instructional methods coupled with Galante’s work ethic have produced immediate results both physically and mentally.
“If she keeps doing the work, special things will happen,” Clark said. “She eats right. She preps her food. She goes to the gym. She’s always asking questions and always wants more knowledge. She started drilling bowling balls and started learning more about drilling her own stuff.
“Her willingness to acknowledge her weaknesses is excellent. And she really, really has the tenacity and the determination to go and attack the things she is not good at in order to make them better. Those are traits that are going to allow her to have more opportunities to make TV shows, which will give her more opportunities to win titles.”
Opportunity knocks in 2025 beginning in Kansas at the PWBA Topeka Open in May. Galante will, it seems clear, be ready.
Anna Antony: What a Journey it’s Been
An unlikely path to youth-bowling stardom may
bring this shining star to even brighter destinations.
By Jennifer Roback
It is not all that uncommon to hear young bowlers describe their earliest memories as having been forged in a bowling center — often because their parents had been taking them there early on, some even before they could walk or talk.
For Anna Antony, nothing could be further from the truth. While it was indeed her father who first got her interested in the sport, it wasn’t because he was a lifelong bowler himself. He was simply just a devoted father of four, looking to spend time with his children.
“We moved to [Connecticut] from Chicago, and I wanted to find something that I could do with all the kids,” her father Anthony said. “There was this program where kids bowled free all summer long, so I brought the kids during my lunchtime. [Anna’s] the only one that stuck with it. She felt passionate about it and wanted to do more, and that’s how our journey started.”
And what a journey it’s been thus far. At only 15, Antony has already racked up a slew of accomplishments, ranging from multiple Connecticut State Pepsi Championship titles, five SYC Championship titles, the 2022 Youth Open Eagle Award, and the 2023 U15 David Dahms Sportsmanship Award, which is “given to competitors who best exemplify sportsmanship, leadership, positive attitude and enthusiasm during the Junior Gold Championships.”
Most recently, she finished seventh overall in the U15 division at the 2024 Junior Gold Championships in Detroit — her third Top-10 finish to date.
These achievements are a testament to the dedication and countless hours the young star pours into mastering her craft — a path that, remarkably, took flight not too long ago, fueled by the inspiration she found on YouTube.
Antony is among many young bowlers who have taken up a two-handed approach. When asked why she decided to embark on this path, she explained that she came across a YouTube clip from Jason Belmonte’s 2015 USBC Masters win and “felt inspired.” After that, she began looking into other two-handed bowlers and continued using YouTube videos as her education source. To this day, she still uses the platform to help perfect her craft.
“I think that if you want to get better at something, it’s really good to watch examples of it and do your best to [find] what will make you better,” she said. “When watching videos, what I really try to do is [look at] what the players are doing. Especially now, it’s so convenient that TV shows have Specto right on the lanes, so it’s nice to be able to see what types of moves the players are [making] and where they’re hitting the arrows.”
She added, “I think it’s really convenient to just watch what the pros do and try to [incorporate] it into my practices and just see how I do with it. It’s a lot of trial and error.”
Her work ethic is one of the things her parents are most proud of. She comes from a family that traditionally leans toward music and education, so when she wanted to take up bowling, it was a new world for both her and her parents. But they embraced her passion wholeheartedly and have been there to support her every step of the way.
“Anna has shown passion and advocacy in her pursuit,” her father shared. “We’re learning this with her. Having a competitive athlete in the house, it’s kind of a challenge for us because it’s our first experience too, dealing with a lot of new things.”
Together, Antony and her family have overcome every obstacle thrown their way, mostly because she has been able to take the initiative and advocate for what she needs.
“It’s been a journey, a learning journey,” Antony’s father added. “Both me and my wife are not bowlers, but we need to help her as much as possible, and it helps that she advocates for what she needs. If a child can advocate for what they need, it’s a pull rather than a push from a parent’s perspective. You know, if we ask them to do something, we sometimes get pushback, whereas with bowling it’s a pull. She’s telling us, ‘I want to go practice,’ or, ‘I want to go [bowl this event],’ or, ‘I need this,’ so it’s easier [on us] instead of figuring out what she might need. It [makes it] a much more joyful journey together, I would say.”
There is no question that Antony will continue to add more accolades to her résumé as the years go on. Heading into 2025, she has big plans for herself, many of which involve improving skills both on and off the lanes.
“I want to grow more in the mental aspect,” she added. “I want to just be able to read the lanes properly and not have as many mental blocks.”
Antony is already taking steps to enhance her mental game, diving into books and scientific articles. On top of that, she’s dedicating herself to improving her physical fitness to keep up with the demands of competitive bowling.
While she works hard on the lanes, she also makes time for her love of cooking and baking. Antony’s involvement in school clubs like Future Business Leaders of America also plays a big role in her life, helping her prepare for whatever challenges come next on the lanes and in her life. Whatever those challenges may be in the years ahead, Antony has proven herself to be adequately equipped to transcend them.
Aidan Furukawa: A Builder at Heart
How this aspiring architect has primed himself
for glory on the college-bowling scene with SCAD.
By Jennifer Roback
It is not uncommon for college freshmen to have an adjustment period when they first enter the college-bowling scene. That experience is a beast in its own right and, for many, it can take a few tournaments to adjust and get comfortable.
But that’s not the case for Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) freshman Aidan Furukawa.
No adjustment period was needed when he hit the lanes for the first time this season, already earning All-Tournament Team recognition at Tier 1 events and Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Bowlers of the Week honors.
The Sunbury, Ohio, native traded his snow boots for sunglasses when he headed down to Georgia to continue his academic and athletic career, with aspirations of becoming an architect who designs roller coasters and theme parks.
“I love roller coasters, that’s probably my biggest hobby,” Furukawa said. “I’ll [even] try and hit roller coasters when I travel for tournaments.”
To date, he has gone on over 200 coasters across North America. Still, his personal favorite is the Steel Vengeance, which is located roughly two hours from his hometown at Cedar Point.
His passion for roller coasters is a thrill-seeker’s dream, but his fascination with architecture runs deeper, inspired by his uncle’s footsteps in the industry. Furukawa’s interest in architecture mirrors his approach to bowling, where precision and strategy play critical roles. Much like drafting blueprints, he analyzes lane conditions and maps out his game plan with careful calculation — skills he has been able to work on as a member of Junior Team USA.
After all, who better to build a game than a guy who plans to build things for a living?
“I really worked with form and then lane play,” he said of his time thus far with Junior Team USA. “When [we] were working with my form, it all felt really awkward, and I almost didn’t agree with it. But after giving it a little bit of time to kind of set in, I feel like it has changed a lot from being really slow to actually getting some speed and power. And I’ve seen the lane a lot better than I have in the past.”
There is no question that Furukawa’s individual game has become an asset for the Bees, but it is arguably his team-oriented personality that truly sets him apart. Whether it’s offering advice during frames or cheering on his teammates from the sidelines, his positive energy and collaborative spirit have helped him settle into his role seamlessly as a freshman and contribute to the team’s early success.
“This biggest thing for Aidan is that it’s very evident that he’s team-oriented,” his coach, Katie Thornton, said. “He’s not focused on [personal goals]; it’s more like, when you hear him talk about the things he wants to do or the way he wants to perform, it’s because he wants to do it for the benefit of the team.
“He’s going to communicate, he’s going to be about the team, and he’s going to be consistent for us. You can’t really ask for much more,” Thornton added.
Furukawa’s teammate, Leoj Chin, a senior in the program, echoed Thornton’s remarks.
“He’s been exceptional at the level of bowling he’s been showcasing so far this season. I think that’s what really stood out to me,” Chin said. “He immediately jumped in. Even when he’s not in the lineup, he is always talking to his teammates, always communicating, and always [taking initiative].”
Chin also echoed Furukawa’s perspective on the SCAD team, explaining how the program's family-oriented aspect helps them succeed and has played a role in Furukawa’s transition onto the team this year.
“I think what sets us apart is that we really try to emphasize building a culture that’s more like a family. Being able to talk to each other, not just as teammates but also as friends,” Chin continued. “That’s what has made us successful, those kinds of relationships that have allowed us to have tough conversations [when needed] so we can address any issue almost immediately before it becomes a problem down the line.
“We gel really well together, and we have a lot of things in common and we enjoy each other’s company so that helps with the chemistry… [Aidan] is just one of the nicest people I’ve ever met and in the short time I’ve known him, he’s gotten really comfortable with the team, and he just has a really genuine heart so to just seem him come into a new environment and blend right in has been great.”
In short, Furukawa’s debut season with SCAD has been nothing short of remarkable. From making an immediate impact on the lanes to his seamless integration into a team that values connection and camaraderie, Furukawa embodies what it means to be a team player and a driven individual — traits destined to bring him great things both on the lanes and, someday soon, in his day job mulling over blueprints for years to come.