McCarthy and Anderson lead PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles event after Day 1 of qualifying

A & B Squad combined qualifying results

HOUSTON
– After the first day of qualifying in Houston for the Professional Bowlers Association/Professional Women’s Bowling Association Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles, Erin McCarthy of Elkhorn, Nebraska, and Andrew Anderson of Holly, Michigan, hold the overall lead with a combined seven-game total of 3,148.

The duo of McCarthy and Anderson are over 160 pins ahead of second-place Karsyn Lukosius out of Jackson, New Jersey, and Sean Riccardi of St. Petersburg, Florida (2,982). Maryssa Carey of Hobart, Indiana, and Justin Knowles of Okemos, Michigan (2,967), occupy third place, Liz Kuhlkin of Schenectady, New York, and England’s Richard Teese (2,965), hold fourth, while Sydney Bohn of Jackson, New Jersey, and Cam Crowe of Orland Park, Illinois (2,944) sit in fifth.

Eighty teams have bowled so far with another 80 bowling Saturday, and the top 40 after Saturday’s qualifying advance to Sunday’s semifinal round. McCarthy and Anderson have their sights set on leaving Houston with the win this year after falling short in 2024, settling for a fourth-place finish.

“We knew the lanes were going to be a little tougher than last year,” said Anderson. “We had a quiet start but then we had a big Game 3 while she had a great Game 5 and we kept riding the momentum.”

The chemistry on the lanes was noticeable throughout their qualifying block as they stayed loose and kept the mood light.

“We just have a good time,” McCarthy said. “I don’t think we take things too seriously and he’s able to help me when I’m down while I’m sort of able to help him when he’s down, it just works out.”

Anderson added, “We’ve bowled together for so long in different events around the world, this feels like because it’s for a different type of cause, we really treat it as good of a time as we can.”

The duo have this event circled on the calendar every year and had nothing but praise for the hard work that goes into the tournament.

“This is an incredible tournament and there is nothing else like it,” said McCarthy. “Donna Conners and her staff do a phenomenal job; there is no describing this event to someone who hasn’t experienced it. That alone plus the atmosphere…you just come in here with a different mindset and it makes it that much more special.”

Qualifying continues Saturday at 9 a.m. Eastern with C Squad while D Squad takes the lanes at 3 p.m. Eastern before the semifinals and finals all day on Sunday. The entirety of the event is live streamed only on BowlTV.

For more information on the SABC Mixed Doubles, visit https://strikingagainstbreastcancer.org/sabc-mixed-doubles-tournament/.