Indiana bowler perfect at 2010 OC
March 22, 2010
RENO, Nev. - Brian Nicodemus of Akron, Ind., walked into the 2010 USBC Open Championships on Sunday a little unsure about what to expect because of his past struggles on the tournament lanes.
Three hours later, the 35-year-old right-hander walked out of the National Bowling Stadium with his head held high after rolling the fourth perfect game of this year's event.
Nicodemus started his 2010 tournament campaign with 12 consecutive strikes on the way to games of 300, 201 and 202 for a 703 series, his highest set in 13 trips to the Open Championships.
"It hasn't sunk in," said Nicodemus, who helped Barnabys Pizza to a 2,898 team total. "This is the achievement of a lifetime. It's a little extra special because of my past struggles and not being able to match up well. I have been working very hard this year with my coach, and I was able to practice on the pattern as well, so I guess it has paid off."
The possibility of a 300 game under any circumstances can produce some anxiety, but the experience is magnified at the Open Championships. After seven consecutive strikes, the score line turns black and red, and bowlers and spectators can see what's happening from across the Stadium.
"I thought about actually shooting 300 in the seventh frame when the scoreboard changed to black," said Nicodemus, who owns Competitive Edge Pro Shop in Elkhart, Ind. "I also thought about it in the ninth frame because I knew it could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. My mentality was not to screw it up. I wanted to seize the moment and make the best shots possible."
Now, Nicodemus will forever be a part of Open Championships history.
"I never really thought about it," said Nicodemus, who owns one PBA Regional title. "Every time you come to the tournament, you stop and look at the names on the big board, and as a competitive bowler, you know what that has meant to those people and think about what it would mean to you, so this is really special."
Nicodemus entered this year's event with a 183.2 career average. He added a 693 singles set and 570 doubles effort Monday and finished with a career-best 1,966 all-events total. His previous high was 1,786 at the 2008 tournament in Albuquerque, N.M.
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.
Three hours later, the 35-year-old right-hander walked out of the National Bowling Stadium with his head held high after rolling the fourth perfect game of this year's event.
Nicodemus started his 2010 tournament campaign with 12 consecutive strikes on the way to games of 300, 201 and 202 for a 703 series, his highest set in 13 trips to the Open Championships.
"It hasn't sunk in," said Nicodemus, who helped Barnabys Pizza to a 2,898 team total. "This is the achievement of a lifetime. It's a little extra special because of my past struggles and not being able to match up well. I have been working very hard this year with my coach, and I was able to practice on the pattern as well, so I guess it has paid off."
The possibility of a 300 game under any circumstances can produce some anxiety, but the experience is magnified at the Open Championships. After seven consecutive strikes, the score line turns black and red, and bowlers and spectators can see what's happening from across the Stadium.
"I thought about actually shooting 300 in the seventh frame when the scoreboard changed to black," said Nicodemus, who owns Competitive Edge Pro Shop in Elkhart, Ind. "I also thought about it in the ninth frame because I knew it could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. My mentality was not to screw it up. I wanted to seize the moment and make the best shots possible."
Now, Nicodemus will forever be a part of Open Championships history.
"I never really thought about it," said Nicodemus, who owns one PBA Regional title. "Every time you come to the tournament, you stop and look at the names on the big board, and as a competitive bowler, you know what that has meant to those people and think about what it would mean to you, so this is really special."
Nicodemus entered this year's event with a 183.2 career average. He added a 693 singles set and 570 doubles effort Monday and finished with a career-best 1,966 all-events total. His previous high was 1,786 at the 2008 tournament in Albuquerque, N.M.
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.