Prather and Thoma grab Day 3 squad victories at 2023 Team USA Trials
January 06, 2023
RESULTS AND INFORMATION
Las Vegas – One day after being put through the proverbial ringer on a very challenging 40-foot lane condition, men’s and women’s competitors got something of a reprieve as the scoring pace rebounded during Thursday’s third round of qualifying at the 2023 Team USA Trials at Gold Coast Bowling Center inside the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Kris Prather of Romeoville, Illinois, and Maggie Thoma of New Braunfels, Texas, tamed Thursday’s 47-foot oil pattern better than anyone else in their respective fields. Prather shot 1,451 to author the highest men’s score of the day while Thoma put up 1,416 to lead the ladies.
The squad victory moved Thoma into first place in the women’s overall standings for both the Team USA Trials and U.S. Amateur with just two qualifying rounds remaining.
Prather’s first-place finish allowed him to make a big move up the men’s leaderboard, vaulting him from 50th place all the way up to 25th in the Team USA Trials standings.
Thursday’s third-round effort was much more reminiscent of what fans have come to expect from Prather over the years as the right-handed Team USA star got striking immediately and rarely stopped.
He eclipsed the 240 mark during four of his six games (257, 249, 269 and 248) on the block with only a Game 3 score of 223 and a 205 in Game 5 slightly slowing down his torrid pace.
When the final pins had fallen, Prather had carded a six-game total of 1,451, which was good for a 241.83 average.
It also allowed him to walk away with the first Team USA Trials squad victory of his decorated career. Despite all that Prather has accomplished in international competition and on the PBA Tour, leading Thursday’s block is not something he’ll soon forget.
“I’ve bowled Team USA Trials five or six times now, and this is my first time cashing on one of the days. I think that’s pretty cool, especially with the loaded field that we have here,” Prather said. Winning today is definitely a bit of a confidence booster going into the last two rounds.”
Ryan Barnes of Denton, Texas, should walk in with confidence on Friday as well.
Despite already having a place on Junior Team USA 2023 locked up as a result of his strong showing at Junior Gold in July, the Wichita State bowler put up a monster 1,445 (256, 265, 245, 213, 235 and 231) set Thursday, which placed him just behind Prather for the day and moved him into the top 10 in both the Team USA Trials and U.S. Amateur overall standings.
John Janawicz of Winter Haven, Florida, was the men’s third-place finisher during Round 3; he shot 1,443.
Duncan Whitaker of Poulsbo, Washington, gave the Gold Coast crowd a thrill by firing the first 300 game of the 2023 Team USA Trials. It helped propel Whitaker to a fourth-place finish on the day with 1,419.
Defending Team USA Trials champion Darren Tang of Las Vegas carded a set of 1,397 to grab the final spot in Thursday’s men’s top five.
Michael Martell of West Babylon, New York, shot 778 (265, 256 and 257) in games two through four enroute to a sixth-place finish with 1,373.
Team USA’s Kyle Troup of Taylorsville, North Carolina, was seventh with 1,370 while Charles Brown of Rockford, Michigan (1,355), Nick Archacki of Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania (1,353) and Dallas Leong of Las Vegas (1,353) rounded out the men’s Day 3 top 10.
Despite Thursday’s excellent showing, Prather still finds himself well outside that top 10 and needing two more outstanding performances if he hopes to be in contention during Saturday night’s final round.
“With the ranking points, it’s pretty crucial to have good, consistent days, and I haven’t had that yet,” Prather said. “What I did today gives me a shot, but with the guys at the top bowling so incredibly well, I’m going to need two more days just like this if I’m going to have a chance coming down the stretch.”
Bowlers have to be at their best during this event as the Team USA Trials always demands excellence.
After all, competitors are forced to confront challenging lane conditions, an elite field of opponents and a five-day format that can put even the most seasoned players through the mental and physical shredder.
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Day 3 women’s block leader Maggie Thoma faces those obstacles just like everyone else; however, another crucial battle she fights is trying to avoid being starstruck when competing against some of the PWBA stars and elite amateurs she’s grown up watching and idolizing.
“It’s really crazy looking up to these people for so long and now bowling next to them and being their competitors,” Thoma said. “I definitely take notice whenever I’m bowling around the PWBA professionals and Team USA members, but I’ve learned to not let their scores get to me or affect what I’m doing.”
Thoma didn’t appear to let much of anything bother her during Thursday’s block.
She got off to a strong start, beginning the day with 233 and 243 before slowing down just a bit with 212 and 214 during games three and four.
The talented two-hander would heat back up from there, however, shooting 279 in Game 5 and 235 in Game 6 to finish the day with a 1,416 total (a 236 average) and the squad victory.
Danielle McEwan of Stony Point, New York, finished the day in second place on the block with 1,372 (228.67).
Katelyn Abigania of San Diego was third with 1,352 while Julia Bond of Lincoln, Nebraska (1,328) and Junior Team USA’s Haley Lindley of Greenwood, South Carolina (1,327) finished fourth and fifth to round out Thursday’s women’s top five.
Caitlyn Johnson of Beaumont, Texas (1,321), Jordan Richard of Maumee, Ohio (1,313), Maryssa Carey of Hobart, Indiana (1,310), Kendyl Hofmeister of Essexville, Michigan (1,306) and Junior Team USA’s Mary Orf of St. Louis (1,300) secured spots six through 10.
Maranda Pattison of Redwood Valley, California, used a 298 in Game 5 to shoot 1,258 and finish 21st on the squad. Pattison’s 298 is currently the high women’s game at this year’s tournament.
That gives the rest of the ladies something to shoot for during the final two days and 12 games of 2023 Team USA Trials competition.
Big games and high block totals will certainly come in handy as daily finishing position only gets more important with each passing round.
Thoma and the rest of the women’s field will get back on the lanes Friday at 6 p.m. Eastern for Round 4 of qualifying, which will be contested on yet another different, challenging lane condition, this one 42 feet in length.
Although she typically favors shorter patterns, Thursday’s effort made it clear that Thoma is more than capable of succeeding on longer ones as well.
So, what is her plan heading into Friday? That’s easy; she’s going to try to have some fun off the lanes and stick to her gameplan once she gets back on them.
“The fact that we have a longer break by bowling early today and late tomorrow should give me more time to relax and explore Vegas a little bit, which I like,” Thoma said. “When it’s time to bowl again, I’m just going to stay focused on what I have to do and keep my head in the game.”
If she’s able to accomplish that even half as well during Round 4 as she did Thursday, it’s likely that Thoma’s name will stay firmly rooted near the top of the standings.
2023 Team USA Trials (Through Round 3 of 5)
Men’s Top 10
1. A.J. Johnson Oswego, Ill. 31.0
2. Jakob Butturff Tempe, Ariz. 40.0
3. Brandon Bonta Wichita, Kan. 43.0
4. Nick Archacki Cambridge Springs, Pa. 44.0
5. Matthew Russo Ballwin, Mo. 45.0
6. John Janawicz Winter Haven, Fla. 49.0
7. Brandon Bohn Jackson, N.J. 50.0
8. Kyle Troup Taylorsville, N.C. 55.0
9. Ryan Barnes Denton, Texas 63.0
10. Andrew Anderson Holly, Mich. 63.0
Women’s Top 10 (By ranking points)
1. Maggie Thoma New Braunfels, Texas 21.0
2. Jillian Martin Stow, Ohio 21.0
3. Bryanna Coté Tucson, Ariz. 27.0
4. Breanna Clemmer Clover, S.C. 28.0
5. Jordan Richard Maumee, Ohio 44.0
6. Chloe Skurzynski Carlisle, Pa. 49.0
7. Caitlyn Johnson Beaumont, Texas 52.0
8. Mary Orf St. Louis, Mo. 54.0
9. Julia Bond Lincoln, Neb. 66.0
10. Maryssa Carey Hobart, Ind. 68.0
10. Olivia Farwell Elizabethtown, Pa. 68.0
10. Victoria Varano Stony Point, N.Y. 68.0
The top four age-eligible men and top four age-eligible women at the 2023 Team USA Trials, based on ranking points, earn automatic spots on Team USA.
2023 U.S. Amateur (Through Round 3 of 5)
Men’s Top 10
1. Brandon Bonta Wichita, Kan. 43.0
2. Nick Archacki Cambridge Springs, Pa. 44.0
3. John Janawicz Winter Haven, Fla. 49.0
4. Brandon Bohn Jackson, N.J. 50.0
5. Ryan Barnes Denton, Texas 63.0
6. Duncan Whitaker Poulsbo, Wash. 64.0
7. Spencer Robarge Springfield, Mo. 68.0
8. Noah Akiona Waimanalo, Hawaii 69.0
9. Micah Voorhis Cherry Hill, N.J. 72.0
10. Brett Lloyd Nightdale, N.C. 87.0
Women’s Top 10
1. Maggie Thoma New Braunfels, Texas 21.0
2. Jillian Martin Stow, Ohio 21.0
3. Chloe Skurzynski Carlisle, Pa. 49.0
4. Caitlyn Johnson Beaumont, Texas 52.0
5. Mary Orf St. Louis, Mo. 54.0
6. Maryssa Carey Hobart, Ind. 68.0
7. Victoria Varano Stony Point, N.Y. 68.0
8. Maranda Pattison Redwood Valley, Calif. 77.0
9. Crystal Elliott Palm Bay, Fla. 84.0
10. Gianna Brandolino Channahon, Ill. 85.0
At the conclusion of the fifth and final round of Team USA Trials qualifying, the top three amateur men and top three amateur women will advance to a stepladder final to determine the 2023 U.S. Amateur champions, both of whom will earn spots on Team USA.
If the U.S. Amateur champion already has earned a spot on the team, the spot will be awarded to the next-highest Team USA Trials qualifier based on ranking points.
To be eligible for this year's U.S. Amateur, a bowler must not hold or have held a professional membership (PBA or PWBA) in 2022. Also, anyone who has won a professional title (regional, national or senior) as a professional is not eligible to compete as an amateur.
2023 Junior Team USA Qualifying (Through Round 3 of 5)
Boys’ Top 10
1. Brandon Bonta Wichita, Kan. 43.0
2. *Brandon Bohn Jackson, N.J. 50.0
3. *Ryan Barnes Denton, Texas 63.0
4. *Spencer Robarge Springfield, Mo. 68.0
5. Noah Akiona Waimanalo, Hawaii 69.0
6. Micah Voorhis Cherry Hill, N.J. 72.0
7. *Brett Lloyd Nightdale, N.C. 87.0
8. C.J. Petrin Chattanooga, Tenn. 94.0
9. Anthony Neuer Milton, Pa. 134.0
10. David Hayes Terre Haute, Ind. 137.0
*Denotes that player has already earned a spot on Junior Team USA 2023.
Girls’ Top 10
1. Maggie Thoma New Braunfels, Texas 21.0
2. *Jillian Martin Stow, Ohio 21.0
3. *Mary Orf St. Louis, Mo. 54.0
4. Victoria Varano Stony Point, N.Y. 68.0
5. Gianna Brandolino Channahon, Ill. 85.0
6. Katelyn Abigania San Diego 90.0
7. *Mabel Cummins Hermitage, Tenn. 91.0
8. Ashtyn Woods Santa Rosa, Calif. 115.0
9. Kaitlyn Cavender New Baltimore, Mich. 117.0
10. Juliana Kerrigan Ashland, Va. 121.0
*Denotes that player has already earned a spot on Junior Team USA 2023.
The top four age-eligible boys and top four age-eligible girls, based on ranking points, automatically earn spots on Junior Team USA 2023.
Two additional boys and two additional girls also will be selected by the National Selection Committee based on performances from either the 2023 Team USA Trials or 2022 Junior Gold Championships.
Las Vegas – One day after being put through the proverbial ringer on a very challenging 40-foot lane condition, men’s and women’s competitors got something of a reprieve as the scoring pace rebounded during Thursday’s third round of qualifying at the 2023 Team USA Trials at Gold Coast Bowling Center inside the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Kris Prather of Romeoville, Illinois, and Maggie Thoma of New Braunfels, Texas, tamed Thursday’s 47-foot oil pattern better than anyone else in their respective fields. Prather shot 1,451 to author the highest men’s score of the day while Thoma put up 1,416 to lead the ladies.
The squad victory moved Thoma into first place in the women’s overall standings for both the Team USA Trials and U.S. Amateur with just two qualifying rounds remaining.
Prather’s first-place finish allowed him to make a big move up the men’s leaderboard, vaulting him from 50th place all the way up to 25th in the Team USA Trials standings.
Thursday’s third-round effort was much more reminiscent of what fans have come to expect from Prather over the years as the right-handed Team USA star got striking immediately and rarely stopped.
He eclipsed the 240 mark during four of his six games (257, 249, 269 and 248) on the block with only a Game 3 score of 223 and a 205 in Game 5 slightly slowing down his torrid pace.
When the final pins had fallen, Prather had carded a six-game total of 1,451, which was good for a 241.83 average.
It also allowed him to walk away with the first Team USA Trials squad victory of his decorated career. Despite all that Prather has accomplished in international competition and on the PBA Tour, leading Thursday’s block is not something he’ll soon forget.
“I’ve bowled Team USA Trials five or six times now, and this is my first time cashing on one of the days. I think that’s pretty cool, especially with the loaded field that we have here,” Prather said. Winning today is definitely a bit of a confidence booster going into the last two rounds.”
Ryan Barnes of Denton, Texas, should walk in with confidence on Friday as well.
Despite already having a place on Junior Team USA 2023 locked up as a result of his strong showing at Junior Gold in July, the Wichita State bowler put up a monster 1,445 (256, 265, 245, 213, 235 and 231) set Thursday, which placed him just behind Prather for the day and moved him into the top 10 in both the Team USA Trials and U.S. Amateur overall standings.
John Janawicz of Winter Haven, Florida, was the men’s third-place finisher during Round 3; he shot 1,443.
Duncan Whitaker of Poulsbo, Washington, gave the Gold Coast crowd a thrill by firing the first 300 game of the 2023 Team USA Trials. It helped propel Whitaker to a fourth-place finish on the day with 1,419.
Defending Team USA Trials champion Darren Tang of Las Vegas carded a set of 1,397 to grab the final spot in Thursday’s men’s top five.
Michael Martell of West Babylon, New York, shot 778 (265, 256 and 257) in games two through four enroute to a sixth-place finish with 1,373.
Team USA’s Kyle Troup of Taylorsville, North Carolina, was seventh with 1,370 while Charles Brown of Rockford, Michigan (1,355), Nick Archacki of Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania (1,353) and Dallas Leong of Las Vegas (1,353) rounded out the men’s Day 3 top 10.
Despite Thursday’s excellent showing, Prather still finds himself well outside that top 10 and needing two more outstanding performances if he hopes to be in contention during Saturday night’s final round.
“With the ranking points, it’s pretty crucial to have good, consistent days, and I haven’t had that yet,” Prather said. “What I did today gives me a shot, but with the guys at the top bowling so incredibly well, I’m going to need two more days just like this if I’m going to have a chance coming down the stretch.”
Bowlers have to be at their best during this event as the Team USA Trials always demands excellence.
After all, competitors are forced to confront challenging lane conditions, an elite field of opponents and a five-day format that can put even the most seasoned players through the mental and physical shredder.
Day 3 women’s block leader Maggie Thoma faces those obstacles just like everyone else; however, another crucial battle she fights is trying to avoid being starstruck when competing against some of the PWBA stars and elite amateurs she’s grown up watching and idolizing.“It’s really crazy looking up to these people for so long and now bowling next to them and being their competitors,” Thoma said. “I definitely take notice whenever I’m bowling around the PWBA professionals and Team USA members, but I’ve learned to not let their scores get to me or affect what I’m doing.”
Thoma didn’t appear to let much of anything bother her during Thursday’s block.
She got off to a strong start, beginning the day with 233 and 243 before slowing down just a bit with 212 and 214 during games three and four.
The talented two-hander would heat back up from there, however, shooting 279 in Game 5 and 235 in Game 6 to finish the day with a 1,416 total (a 236 average) and the squad victory.
Danielle McEwan of Stony Point, New York, finished the day in second place on the block with 1,372 (228.67).
Katelyn Abigania of San Diego was third with 1,352 while Julia Bond of Lincoln, Nebraska (1,328) and Junior Team USA’s Haley Lindley of Greenwood, South Carolina (1,327) finished fourth and fifth to round out Thursday’s women’s top five.
Caitlyn Johnson of Beaumont, Texas (1,321), Jordan Richard of Maumee, Ohio (1,313), Maryssa Carey of Hobart, Indiana (1,310), Kendyl Hofmeister of Essexville, Michigan (1,306) and Junior Team USA’s Mary Orf of St. Louis (1,300) secured spots six through 10.
Maranda Pattison of Redwood Valley, California, used a 298 in Game 5 to shoot 1,258 and finish 21st on the squad. Pattison’s 298 is currently the high women’s game at this year’s tournament.
That gives the rest of the ladies something to shoot for during the final two days and 12 games of 2023 Team USA Trials competition.
Big games and high block totals will certainly come in handy as daily finishing position only gets more important with each passing round.
Thoma and the rest of the women’s field will get back on the lanes Friday at 6 p.m. Eastern for Round 4 of qualifying, which will be contested on yet another different, challenging lane condition, this one 42 feet in length.
Although she typically favors shorter patterns, Thursday’s effort made it clear that Thoma is more than capable of succeeding on longer ones as well.
So, what is her plan heading into Friday? That’s easy; she’s going to try to have some fun off the lanes and stick to her gameplan once she gets back on them.
“The fact that we have a longer break by bowling early today and late tomorrow should give me more time to relax and explore Vegas a little bit, which I like,” Thoma said. “When it’s time to bowl again, I’m just going to stay focused on what I have to do and keep my head in the game.”
If she’s able to accomplish that even half as well during Round 4 as she did Thursday, it’s likely that Thoma’s name will stay firmly rooted near the top of the standings.
2023 Team USA Trials (Through Round 3 of 5)
Men’s Top 10
1. A.J. Johnson Oswego, Ill. 31.0
2. Jakob Butturff Tempe, Ariz. 40.0
3. Brandon Bonta Wichita, Kan. 43.0
4. Nick Archacki Cambridge Springs, Pa. 44.0
5. Matthew Russo Ballwin, Mo. 45.0
6. John Janawicz Winter Haven, Fla. 49.0
7. Brandon Bohn Jackson, N.J. 50.0
8. Kyle Troup Taylorsville, N.C. 55.0
9. Ryan Barnes Denton, Texas 63.0
10. Andrew Anderson Holly, Mich. 63.0
Women’s Top 10 (By ranking points)
1. Maggie Thoma New Braunfels, Texas 21.0
2. Jillian Martin Stow, Ohio 21.0
3. Bryanna Coté Tucson, Ariz. 27.0
4. Breanna Clemmer Clover, S.C. 28.0
5. Jordan Richard Maumee, Ohio 44.0
6. Chloe Skurzynski Carlisle, Pa. 49.0
7. Caitlyn Johnson Beaumont, Texas 52.0
8. Mary Orf St. Louis, Mo. 54.0
9. Julia Bond Lincoln, Neb. 66.0
10. Maryssa Carey Hobart, Ind. 68.0
10. Olivia Farwell Elizabethtown, Pa. 68.0
10. Victoria Varano Stony Point, N.Y. 68.0
The top four age-eligible men and top four age-eligible women at the 2023 Team USA Trials, based on ranking points, earn automatic spots on Team USA.
2023 U.S. Amateur (Through Round 3 of 5)
Men’s Top 10
1. Brandon Bonta Wichita, Kan. 43.0
2. Nick Archacki Cambridge Springs, Pa. 44.0
3. John Janawicz Winter Haven, Fla. 49.0
4. Brandon Bohn Jackson, N.J. 50.0
5. Ryan Barnes Denton, Texas 63.0
6. Duncan Whitaker Poulsbo, Wash. 64.0
7. Spencer Robarge Springfield, Mo. 68.0
8. Noah Akiona Waimanalo, Hawaii 69.0
9. Micah Voorhis Cherry Hill, N.J. 72.0
10. Brett Lloyd Nightdale, N.C. 87.0
Women’s Top 10
1. Maggie Thoma New Braunfels, Texas 21.0
2. Jillian Martin Stow, Ohio 21.0
3. Chloe Skurzynski Carlisle, Pa. 49.0
4. Caitlyn Johnson Beaumont, Texas 52.0
5. Mary Orf St. Louis, Mo. 54.0
6. Maryssa Carey Hobart, Ind. 68.0
7. Victoria Varano Stony Point, N.Y. 68.0
8. Maranda Pattison Redwood Valley, Calif. 77.0
9. Crystal Elliott Palm Bay, Fla. 84.0
10. Gianna Brandolino Channahon, Ill. 85.0
At the conclusion of the fifth and final round of Team USA Trials qualifying, the top three amateur men and top three amateur women will advance to a stepladder final to determine the 2023 U.S. Amateur champions, both of whom will earn spots on Team USA.
If the U.S. Amateur champion already has earned a spot on the team, the spot will be awarded to the next-highest Team USA Trials qualifier based on ranking points.
To be eligible for this year's U.S. Amateur, a bowler must not hold or have held a professional membership (PBA or PWBA) in 2022. Also, anyone who has won a professional title (regional, national or senior) as a professional is not eligible to compete as an amateur.
2023 Junior Team USA Qualifying (Through Round 3 of 5)
Boys’ Top 10
1. Brandon Bonta Wichita, Kan. 43.0
2. *Brandon Bohn Jackson, N.J. 50.0
3. *Ryan Barnes Denton, Texas 63.0
4. *Spencer Robarge Springfield, Mo. 68.0
5. Noah Akiona Waimanalo, Hawaii 69.0
6. Micah Voorhis Cherry Hill, N.J. 72.0
7. *Brett Lloyd Nightdale, N.C. 87.0
8. C.J. Petrin Chattanooga, Tenn. 94.0
9. Anthony Neuer Milton, Pa. 134.0
10. David Hayes Terre Haute, Ind. 137.0
*Denotes that player has already earned a spot on Junior Team USA 2023.
Girls’ Top 10
1. Maggie Thoma New Braunfels, Texas 21.0
2. *Jillian Martin Stow, Ohio 21.0
3. *Mary Orf St. Louis, Mo. 54.0
4. Victoria Varano Stony Point, N.Y. 68.0
5. Gianna Brandolino Channahon, Ill. 85.0
6. Katelyn Abigania San Diego 90.0
7. *Mabel Cummins Hermitage, Tenn. 91.0
8. Ashtyn Woods Santa Rosa, Calif. 115.0
9. Kaitlyn Cavender New Baltimore, Mich. 117.0
10. Juliana Kerrigan Ashland, Va. 121.0
*Denotes that player has already earned a spot on Junior Team USA 2023.
The top four age-eligible boys and top four age-eligible girls, based on ranking points, automatically earn spots on Junior Team USA 2023.
Two additional boys and two additional girls also will be selected by the National Selection Committee based on performances from either the 2023 Team USA Trials or 2022 Junior Gold Championships.