South Carolina bowler takes Standard Singles lead at 2023 Open Championships
June 01, 2023
RENO, Nev. – Propelled by the best start in singles in any division this year at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, Michelle Dabkowski of Lexington, South Carolina, took over the lead in Standard Singles on Wednesday with a series total of 715.
The 40-year-old left-hander started off her set at a blistering pace at the National Bowling Stadium, delivering seven consecutive strikes in Game 1 to finish with 255. She continued in Game 2 with the front 10 to shoot 286. Although she slowed down in Game 3 with 174, it was more than enough as she took over the top spot by 33 pins.
Pat Gaddie of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, had held the lead in Standard Singles since March 15 with 682.
“It was pretty exciting,” said Dabkowski, who made her 11th appearance at the USBC Open Championships. “I didn’t really know what was happening total-wise. After Game 2, Matt, who was on one of our companion teams, had told me that I was at least in the low to cash.”
Dabkowski, a former collegiate bowler at the University of Central Florida, had been out of the spotlight for a while before her performance at the Open Championships due to various injuries.
“I went back to the basics and focused on my pre-shot routine,” Dabkowski said. “I tried not to overthink it. Everyone was cheering for me, and it’s been a long time since I’ve had that. It felt really good.”
She contributes some of her success to the tutelage of the late Mo Pinel, who would be quick to help, even on a moment’s notice.
“I was working with Mo Pinel a lot and just trying to do the things he told me to do,” Dabkowski said. “He was always there when I texted him. I would always send him videos asking for advice, and he would always respond. He was an acquired taste, one that I very much appreciated.”
Dabkowski still was looking for her first honor score as she stepped up in the 10th frame of Game 2 on Wednesday, but she did not lack confidence as she approached her doubles and singles squad at the NBS.
“I’ve never shot 300, never shot 800,” Dabkowski said. “But, coming out here and just knowing I can strike if I just figure it out, and then finally finding something – it just hasn’t hit me yet. It hasn’t really set in. I didn’t have any idea how things looked overall. I just knew I had to throw one ball at a time.”
Dabkowski had started her 2023 appearance with sets of 479 in team and 492 in doubles for a 1,686 all-events total.
The Standard Division features bowlers with entering averages of 156-175.
The 2023 Open Championships kicked off March 4 and will conclude July 24. The 143-day tournament will feature more than 9,700 five-player teams and nearly 50,000 bowlers making their way to compete in The Biggest Little City in the World.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
The 40-year-old left-hander started off her set at a blistering pace at the National Bowling Stadium, delivering seven consecutive strikes in Game 1 to finish with 255. She continued in Game 2 with the front 10 to shoot 286. Although she slowed down in Game 3 with 174, it was more than enough as she took over the top spot by 33 pins.
Pat Gaddie of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, had held the lead in Standard Singles since March 15 with 682.
“It was pretty exciting,” said Dabkowski, who made her 11th appearance at the USBC Open Championships. “I didn’t really know what was happening total-wise. After Game 2, Matt, who was on one of our companion teams, had told me that I was at least in the low to cash.”
Dabkowski, a former collegiate bowler at the University of Central Florida, had been out of the spotlight for a while before her performance at the Open Championships due to various injuries.
“I went back to the basics and focused on my pre-shot routine,” Dabkowski said. “I tried not to overthink it. Everyone was cheering for me, and it’s been a long time since I’ve had that. It felt really good.”
She contributes some of her success to the tutelage of the late Mo Pinel, who would be quick to help, even on a moment’s notice.
“I was working with Mo Pinel a lot and just trying to do the things he told me to do,” Dabkowski said. “He was always there when I texted him. I would always send him videos asking for advice, and he would always respond. He was an acquired taste, one that I very much appreciated.”
Dabkowski still was looking for her first honor score as she stepped up in the 10th frame of Game 2 on Wednesday, but she did not lack confidence as she approached her doubles and singles squad at the NBS.
“I’ve never shot 300, never shot 800,” Dabkowski said. “But, coming out here and just knowing I can strike if I just figure it out, and then finally finding something – it just hasn’t hit me yet. It hasn’t really set in. I didn’t have any idea how things looked overall. I just knew I had to throw one ball at a time.”
Dabkowski had started her 2023 appearance with sets of 479 in team and 492 in doubles for a 1,686 all-events total.
The Standard Division features bowlers with entering averages of 156-175.
The 2023 Open Championships kicked off March 4 and will conclude July 24. The 143-day tournament will feature more than 9,700 five-player teams and nearly 50,000 bowlers making their way to compete in The Biggest Little City in the World.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.