ARLINGTON, Texas - Led by Team USA players Steve Smith of San Diego and Josie Earnest of Nashville, Tenn., the United States took the lead in eight divisions during singles competition at the 51st Lee Evans Tournament of the Americas in Sunrise, Fla.

Bowlers completed the first six games of the 12-game singles competition on Monday at Strikers Lane.

USA's Pete Thomas (above), competing in the Senior Men (ages 50-plus) division, kicked off his six-game set with a 300 game and averaged 236.6 during the day to post a 180-pin lead over Canada's Miles Nerona.

Earnest had a 1,342 pinfall total to take the lead in the Adult Women division. She has a 76-pin lead over Alicia Marcano of Venezuela with Team USA's Brittni Hamilton of Webster, N.Y., in fourth at 1,205.
 
Smith leads the Adult Men division after posting a 1,373 total. Colombia's Andres Gomez (1,318) is 55 pins back, followed by Enrique Kassian of Mexico and Team USA member Eddie VanDaniker of Chatsworh, Calif.

Junior Team USA members lead both Junior A (ages 16-19) divisions. Morgan O'Brien of Lomira, Wis., leads the women and Andrew Anderson of Holly, Mich., leads the men. USBC's U15 development team is competing in the Junior B (ages 12-15) division and Bradley Crouse of Nazareth, Pa., leads the men with Wesley Low of Palmdale, Calif., in third, while Breanna Clemmer of Clover, S.C., is second in the women's division.

Paula Vidad, coming off her victory in Bowling's Senior U.S. Women's Open, had a 1,213 pinfall total and leads USA teammate Char Hammel (1,048) and Mexico's Scarlett Padilla (1,006) in the Senior Women (age 45-plus) division.

Ed Roberts of the United States leads the Super Senior Men division while USBC Hall of Famer Dana Miller-Mackie is second in the Super Senior Women division.

The Lee Evans Tournament of the Americas is the oldest annual international tournament in the American Zone. It is an invitational competition for countries in the Pan American Bowling Confederation (PABCON), the American Zone of the World Tenpin Bowling Association.

The week-long tournament feature players from the American Zone competing for medals in singles, doubles, mixed doubles, mixed team and all-events.

In each division, one team comprised of two men and two women compete in singles, doubles, mixed doubles and mixed team. After 36 games, individual all-events and national all-events champions are recognized.

Go to bowlingamericas.com for scores and schedules.