Substitutes help Ohio team into Classifed lead at Open Championships
March 04, 2010
RENO, Nev. - A month ago, Phillip Savelli of Mentor, Ohio, was looking forward to sharing his USBC Open Championships debut with a group of friends, and although it didn't unfold quite how he expected, his first-time was one he'll always remember.
When three bowlers backed out last month, Savelli scrambled to fill the openings, but made the trip to the National Bowling Stadium still needing two bowlers for a full roster.
With the help of the tournament staff and the on-site sub board, Savelli completed his team just hours before taking to the lanes, and the gamble paid off as he led EWI/NPS/Denny's of Mentor, Ohio, into the Classified Team lead with a 2,699 total Wednesday afternoon.
"We had a full team, but lost three guys about a month before the tournament," said Savelli, who bowls at Scores Fun Center in Painesville, Ohio. "We picked up Lawanda (Scott) through the online sub board, but still needed two more people. Derek (Arnold) and I came to the Stadium at about 8 a.m. this morning and worked until 10 a.m. to straighten everything out. The staff was a tremendous help."
Substitutes from Colorado and Minnesota helped round out the team, which posted games of 850, 944 and 905. Stuart Bowl 3 of Stuart, Iowa, previously held the lead with 2,573.
Savelli and Scott led the way for EWI/NPS/Denny's with 585, and they were followed by Arnold (531), Kelliann Frank of Babbitt, Minn., (505) and Lynette Crowther of Monte Vista, Colo., (493).
Savelli and Arnold didn't meet their new teammates until they gathered in the Squad Room prior to marching out to the lanes. Their goal was simple- to make the best of their tournament experience together.
"It was just bowling," Savelli said. "We all did our own thing out there and had fun. I think that's what brought us together."
Savelli, 23, was just happy to have a full team and didn't realize the group's composite average was less than 900, making them eligible for the Classified Division.
"It was probably halfway through the second game when we realized were we Classified," Savelli said. "We were doing pretty well, so we figured we had a chance to take the lead. Being in first place is pretty good. It's nice setting the bar early, and there's nothing wrong with being in the lead. And considering the longevity and history this tournament holds, it's great to be a part of it."
The Classified Singles lead also changed hands as Mark Plute of Montrose, Colo., shot games of 219, 229 and 196 to finish with a 644 series at the Stadium on Thursday. Ryan Goettsch of Galva, Iowa, previously held the lead with 618.
Plute, a 50-year-old right-hander, relied on keeping his cool as his singles score continued to grow.
"I don't try to come into this tournament with big expectations," said Plute, who competed in his 14th Open Championships. "I just try to bowl my own game. I tried to keep piling on the marks and get a few doubles in there. I got a little rattled at the beginning of the third game but took it one shot at a time."
Plute bowls league at Rose Bowl in Montrose and was particularly comfortable competing at the NBS because of prior experience at the Storm National Mixed Championships. He also enjoys using tournaments as a chance to see the country with family and friends.
"It's a vacation," Plute said. "I'm not in it for the money, but for the chance to see different parts of the country."
Plute nearly captured the lead in Classified All-Events as well, but finished one pin behind Goettsch, who leads with 1,702. Plute had 531 in doubles and 526 in team for a 1,701 all-events effort.
"It's nice to shoot a big score and be out in front," Plute said. "It's still early, but anytime I can shoot above my average at nationals, it's a plus."
To be eligible for the Classified Division, a team must have a combined average of 900 or less and 360 or less for doubles. Individuals must have an average of 180 or less for singles and all-events.
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.
When three bowlers backed out last month, Savelli scrambled to fill the openings, but made the trip to the National Bowling Stadium still needing two bowlers for a full roster.
With the help of the tournament staff and the on-site sub board, Savelli completed his team just hours before taking to the lanes, and the gamble paid off as he led EWI/NPS/Denny's of Mentor, Ohio, into the Classified Team lead with a 2,699 total Wednesday afternoon.
"We had a full team, but lost three guys about a month before the tournament," said Savelli, who bowls at Scores Fun Center in Painesville, Ohio. "We picked up Lawanda (Scott) through the online sub board, but still needed two more people. Derek (Arnold) and I came to the Stadium at about 8 a.m. this morning and worked until 10 a.m. to straighten everything out. The staff was a tremendous help."
Substitutes from Colorado and Minnesota helped round out the team, which posted games of 850, 944 and 905. Stuart Bowl 3 of Stuart, Iowa, previously held the lead with 2,573.
Savelli and Scott led the way for EWI/NPS/Denny's with 585, and they were followed by Arnold (531), Kelliann Frank of Babbitt, Minn., (505) and Lynette Crowther of Monte Vista, Colo., (493).
Savelli and Arnold didn't meet their new teammates until they gathered in the Squad Room prior to marching out to the lanes. Their goal was simple- to make the best of their tournament experience together.
"It was just bowling," Savelli said. "We all did our own thing out there and had fun. I think that's what brought us together."
Savelli, 23, was just happy to have a full team and didn't realize the group's composite average was less than 900, making them eligible for the Classified Division.
"It was probably halfway through the second game when we realized were we Classified," Savelli said. "We were doing pretty well, so we figured we had a chance to take the lead. Being in first place is pretty good. It's nice setting the bar early, and there's nothing wrong with being in the lead. And considering the longevity and history this tournament holds, it's great to be a part of it."
The Classified Singles lead also changed hands as Mark Plute of Montrose, Colo., shot games of 219, 229 and 196 to finish with a 644 series at the Stadium on Thursday. Ryan Goettsch of Galva, Iowa, previously held the lead with 618.
Plute, a 50-year-old right-hander, relied on keeping his cool as his singles score continued to grow.
"I don't try to come into this tournament with big expectations," said Plute, who competed in his 14th Open Championships. "I just try to bowl my own game. I tried to keep piling on the marks and get a few doubles in there. I got a little rattled at the beginning of the third game but took it one shot at a time."
Plute bowls league at Rose Bowl in Montrose and was particularly comfortable competing at the NBS because of prior experience at the Storm National Mixed Championships. He also enjoys using tournaments as a chance to see the country with family and friends.
"It's a vacation," Plute said. "I'm not in it for the money, but for the chance to see different parts of the country."
Plute nearly captured the lead in Classified All-Events as well, but finished one pin behind Goettsch, who leads with 1,702. Plute had 531 in doubles and 526 in team for a 1,701 all-events effort.
"It's nice to shoot a big score and be out in front," Plute said. "It's still early, but anytime I can shoot above my average at nationals, it's a plus."
To be eligible for the Classified Division, a team must have a combined average of 900 or less and 360 or less for doubles. Individuals must have an average of 180 or less for singles and all-events.
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.