Michigan bowler shoots 833, leads two events at OC

RENO, Nev. - Terrence Syring of Bay City, Mich., travels to the USBC Open Championships each year hoping to have an enjoyable vacation with his friends and possibly earn a share of the tournament's multi-million-dollar prize fund.

The 26-year-old right-hander got more than he ever could've expected from this year's trip as he rolled the first 800 series of the 2010 event and took the lead in Regular Singles and Regular All-Events at the National Bowling Stadium on Friday.

Syring struck 29 times on the way to games of 276, 258 and 299 for an 833 singles series and moved past Barry Zimmerman of Grand Forks, N.D., who previously held the lead with 766. With the top spot and 800 locked up, Syring's bid for the fifth perfect game of the year ended with a stubborn 10 pin.

"I was actually more nervous about the 300 because I haven't shot one all year," said Syring, who bowls regularly at Alert Lanes in Essexville, Mich., and made his fourth Open Championships appearance. "I was shaking about that a little bit and didn't even think about 800 until probably the 10th frame."

Before rolling the second-highest singles score and third-highest score overall in the 15-year history of the National Bowling Stadium, Syring shot 680 in doubles and 642 in team for a 2,155 all-events total. Team USA member Shannon Pluhowsky of Phoenix previously held the Regular All-Events lead with 2,083. John Janawicz of Winter Haven, Fla., owns the Stadium series record with 858, which earned him the Regular Singles and All-Events titles in 2004.

"I've watched Shannon on TV, and she's incredibly talented," Syring said. "So to overtake what she did out here feels really good."

Syring's main goal when he takes to the tournament lanes each year is to post an all-events score of 2,000 or better. His previous high was 1,940 at last year's event in Las Vegas, preceded by 1,880 and 1,877 in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

"It really hasn't sunk in yet," said Syring, who had 88 clean frames and increased his career average at the tournament to 218.1. "It will probably hit me as soon as I see my name up there for the first time."

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.