BOWLING HIGHLIGHTS COLUMN

  A Strong Team USA

  Having a strong Team USA and Junior Team USA programs helps to build a future for the sport by not only showcasing the top American-born players on an international stage, but also is needed to continue to improve against an international field that grows stronger by the day.
  Later this month, four Team USA members, Stefanie Johnson, Shannon Pluhowsky, Tommy Jones and Chris Via will head to Puebia, Mexico for the PABCON Champion of Champions in hope of earning the United States a berth into the 2017 World Games.
  They also hope to bring back a little extra hardware in their carry-on luggage in the form of gold, silver and bronze medals (preferably, more gold than silver and bronze) from Noria Pro Bowling after the five-day event concludes April 26.
  For these players, a lifetime of preparation and dedication goes into every effort to represent the red, white and blue, and they have one of the top coaching staffs in the world supporting them all the way.
  2016 USBC Masters Champion Anthony Simonsen recently was added to the Team USA roster after his record-breaking victory in February.
  The 19-year-old had earned his first bid on Junior Team USA in January at the USBC Team USA Trials, and the coaching staff knew by adding the young Texan to a men's team that already included the likes of Jones, Via, Marshall Kent and Sean Rash, not only would push Team USA to greater heights, it also would challenge the rest of the world to continue improving too.
  Like Simonson, most of the athletes had their first opportunity to represent their country through the Junior Team USA program. Johnson, Pluhowsky, Via, Kent and Rash each spent time on the youth team before earning their spots on the adult team.
  And, for those like Johnson, the first chance to feel the weight of a medal being placed around her neck and hearing "The Star-Spangled Banner" shortly thereafter, had a lasting affect that continues to motivate her after four years on Junior Team USA and 12 on Team USA.
  "It's almost indescribable what it felt like to compete wearing the USA on my back for the first time," said Johnson, who earned a spot of Junior Team USA for the first time in 2000. "Hearing your national anthem play on the metal stand makes your heart skip a beat."
  Good luck goes out to the USA teams.

    Ed's Outlook

 * It's time to close out Bowling Highlights for this bowling season as many league champions have already been crowned and most leagues are in their final week of competition.
  It has been a season where the sport of bowling has given positive signs of growth. League have had to change their old formats and they will have to continue into the 2016-17 season with new ideas that will entice bowlers back into league competition.
  Starting next week we will be starting the 2016 Golfing Highlights column and God willing and the creeks don't rise we will be back in the fall with Bowling Highlights.
  Our sincere thanks to all local bowling establishments and to the many league secretaries who supply us with their league and tournament scores.

    PBA League
    Quarterfinals

  PBA league quaterfinals action continues Sunday at 1 p.m. in ESPN.
  In Sunday's first five-player Baker format match BJ's L.A. X will take on the Barbasol Motown Muscle.
  In the second match Concrete Software Brooklyn Styles will meet GoBowling.com Dallas Strikers.

  Ed Townsend is a Public Relations consultant to the sport of bowling. He writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league scores, tournament information, score a 300 game or 800 series call Ed at 845-439-8177, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and Ed's photos at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.

   Bowling Tip
   By Mike Luongo

  This weeks tip is for all bowlers, however, youth, new bowlers and bowlers who have not had a correctly fit ball will benefit the most.
  Choosing the correct weight for a bowling ball is not rocket science although it is made out to be at times.
  A poorly fit ball (lane ball or hack job) will take excessive grip pressure to hold onto and this makes the ball seem too heavy.
  A good rule to thumb, when getting a custom fit ball, is to go up two pounds over what a poorly fit ball weighs. You will be surprised at how much lighter a properly fit ball will feel. When a ball is fit properly, minimal grip pressure is needed to hold the ball, allowing you to swing the ball without putting a death grip on it.
  This applies to both finger tip and conventional grips.
  Understand that gravity, not upper body muscles control the swing.
  For youth bowlers, always err on the heavier side.
  If a bowler, youth or adult is bowling to enjoy themselves, a conventional grip is best.
  If a bowler is interested in some form of competitive bowling, the finger tip grip is the way to go.
  Remember, there is no substitute for a properly fit ball.
  Mike Luongo is a certified IBPSIA Pro Shop Operator, Master Instructor, USBC Silver Level Coach and an Advisor-Special Events assistant with the Storm and Roto Grip Bowling Ball Company. Have a question, email him at mikel@stormbowling.com 

   Local Scores

   Kiamesha Lanes

   Monday Men's

  Jody Farquhar 247, 609, John Hoffmann 244, 663, Larry Whipple 258, 231, 671, Justin Lopez 246, 611, Josh Strang 231, 613, Jaryl Scott 604, Jason Jones Jr. 267, 668, Paul Durland 601, Justin Holland 245, 270, 723, Vinny Collura 267, 237, 687, Pedro Agapito III a 237, 647, Donnie Durland 238, 244, 680, Tim Totten 618, Rob Sze 237, 677, Dan Ricco 258, 610, Mike Weiner 268, 684, Keith Smith 258, 228, 671, Eddie Lake 226, 646, Gary North 235, 641, Rick Lake 226, 619, Charlie Tuttle 246, 673, David Graham 247, 258, 718, Art Stevens 620, Vinny Scuderi 278, Lloyd Bridges 228, 258, 691, Michael Scuderi 228, 255, 663, Todd Houghtaling 234, Frank Scuderi 243, James VanAken 232, 618, Robert Feeney Sr. 244, 663.

  Tues.  Mixed Firefighters

  Michelle Dennis 180, Charlie Tuttle 227, 225, Mary Lee Williams 234, 573, Andrea Grossman 192, 190, 180, 562, Shane Cunningham 604, Joan Lake 182, 180, 523, Pedro Agapito III a 231, 655, Eddie Lake 231, 626, Larry Whipple 255, 225, 248, 728, Ed Guthrie 605, John Hoffmann 632, Dustin Graham 230, Carena Collura 185, 181, 183, 549, George Kelly 240, 641, Cara Nicholson 193, 192, 538.

  Wednesday Men's

  George Baggatta 603, Justin Lopez 239, 629, Larry Whipple 610, Dave Graham 240, 639, Pedro Agapito III a 278, 226, 690, Steve Belgiovene 244, 236, 682, Larry Hicks 604, Jon Wilhelm 648, Carlos Torres 629, Kyle Giordano 238, 279, 252, 769, Robert Stewart 613, Richard Bradford 279, 646, Chris Parken 227, 236, 685, Gene Smith 236, 610, Charlie Tuttle 232, 238, 690, Kevin Stackhouse 257, 650, Kyle Matthews 244, 226, 652, Merrill Conner 228, 674, Russell Bivins 259, 640, Dave Garlinghouse 253, 245, 689.

  Thursday Ladies

  Debbie Polin 213, 200, 191, 604, Trasey Barres 195, 190, Maureen Hopper 180, Joan Lake 184, 206, Connie McKenley 181, Cara Nicholson  211, 194, Tabatha Smith 189, 190, Janelle Wood 205, Rita Burdick 183, May Smith 200, Sherry Laird 184.

  Friday Mixed

  Kevin Stackhouse 266, 259, 269, 794, Pedro Agapito III a 226, 268, 235, 729, Greg Kuchar 238, 629, Ryan Lepke 611, Larry Berens 628, Keith Smith 619, Dave Graham 257, 227, 692, Charlie Tuttle 245, 629, James VanAken 227, 605, Larry Whipple 259, 245, 241, 745, Jessica Behnke 180, Joan Lake 187, 215, 188, 590, Nicole Dertinger 194, 521, Linda Schaefer 200, 517, MaryAnn Drobysh-Berens 187, 542, Loretta VanAken 192.