New Jersey bowler achieves perfection at 2021 USBC Open Championships
July 08, 2021
By Sam Neves
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - With a large group of family and friends cheering him on, Eric Perez of Bridgewater, New Jersey, experienced what he described as one of the greatest moments in his bowling career.
The 35-year-old right-hander was able to draw on experience and the energy of the crowd to notch the 20th perfect game of the 2021 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
While Perez has had to make plenty of shots under pressure during action matches at Lodi Lanes in Lodi, New Jersey, he admitted that the nerves almost caught up with him Thursday at the South Point Bowling Center.
"I don't think I've ever been that nervous before," said Perez, who made his second USBC Open Championships appearance. "I'm just so happy for all of the support I had the entire time."
Perez's 300 came during singles, between games of 217 and 194, and he finished with a 711 series. Andrew Anderson of Holly, Michigan, leads Regular Singles with 802.
Prior to the sizeable singles set, Perez opened his sophomore tournament campaign with a 686 series in team Wednesday at the South Point Bowling Plaza and added a 586 effort Thursday in doubles at the Bowling Center.
His 1,979 all-events total this year is 355 pins higher than his 2019 debut, also at South Point (1,624). Sean Rash of Montgomery, Illinois, leads Regular All-Events with 2,264.
"I honestly don't even remember what I bowled in 2019, but I know I beat it by a lot this year, and I surpassed every expectation I had coming into the tournament this year," Perez said.
Perez now has his name etched in the Open Championships history book and is looking forward to hearing his name announced in the Squad Room for years to come.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - With a large group of family and friends cheering him on, Eric Perez of Bridgewater, New Jersey, experienced what he described as one of the greatest moments in his bowling career.
The 35-year-old right-hander was able to draw on experience and the energy of the crowd to notch the 20th perfect game of the 2021 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
While Perez has had to make plenty of shots under pressure during action matches at Lodi Lanes in Lodi, New Jersey, he admitted that the nerves almost caught up with him Thursday at the South Point Bowling Center.
"I don't think I've ever been that nervous before," said Perez, who made his second USBC Open Championships appearance. "I'm just so happy for all of the support I had the entire time."
Perez's 300 came during singles, between games of 217 and 194, and he finished with a 711 series. Andrew Anderson of Holly, Michigan, leads Regular Singles with 802.
Prior to the sizeable singles set, Perez opened his sophomore tournament campaign with a 686 series in team Wednesday at the South Point Bowling Plaza and added a 586 effort Thursday in doubles at the Bowling Center.
His 1,979 all-events total this year is 355 pins higher than his 2019 debut, also at South Point (1,624). Sean Rash of Montgomery, Illinois, leads Regular All-Events with 2,264.
"I honestly don't even remember what I bowled in 2019, but I know I beat it by a lot this year, and I surpassed every expectation I had coming into the tournament this year," Perez said.
Perez now has his name etched in the Open Championships history book and is looking forward to hearing his name announced in the Squad Room for years to come.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.