onefrombills
02-24-2009, 01:53 AM
LAS VEGAS - United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Lisa Wagner of Auburn, Ga., started her 2009 USBC Open Championships campaign off on the wrong foot, but the 32-time Professional Women's Bowling Association champion knew how to put it behind her and refocus for doubles and singles.
After shooting 508 in team Saturday, Wagner teamed up with Ed Ilano of Auburn, Ga., to take the lead in Regular Doubles with 1,336 at Cashman Center on Sunday. Ilano paced the pair with games of 264, 236 and 204 for a 704 series, while Wagner contributed 183, 264 and 185 for 632.
Bowling on the same squad, Dan Smith of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Darin Belsito of Oakwood, Ga., also cracked the top three with 1,281. Aldis Presley and Ralph Radar Presley of Atlanta previously held the lead with 1,212.
"It's nice to post a good score like this and take the lead right off the bat, but there's still months of competition left," said Ilano, who made his 10th appearance at the Open Championships. "Together, we broke down the lanes really well, not to mention we had some pretty good luck."
Ilano's day did not end there. He went on to shoot 598 in singles to take the lead in Regular All-Events with 1,931. Two-hander Steven Vance of Norcross, Ga., who bowled on the tournament's first doubles and singles squad, previously held the lead with 1,872.
"You come to this event once a year, and you know you have to bowl well," said Ilano, who tossed a 629 series to help Macanudos into the top spot in Regular Team with 2,940 on Saturday. "There are no second chances. Averaging over 200 on this tough Sport condition, and at this venue, is an accomplishment for me."
Ilano's efforts also helped Macanudos set the bar in Team All-Events with 8,944. Arguably the most coveted title up for grabs at the Open Championships, the Team All-Events score is a 45-game total that combines the all-events efforts of all five team members.
Dan Smith added 1,820 for Macanudos and was followed by Chad Pierce (1,763), Wagner (1,727) and Randy Russell (1,703).
Ilano and his team have become regular faces during the tournament's opening weekend, and even if the scores they post early don't hold up, they enjoy the competition and are already looking forward to next year's event.
"Once you get done with your nine games, you're thinking that you can't wait for next year to come," Ilano said. "The USBC puts on such a great event. It blows my mind. Everyone needs to come out and see this event in person. They will be hooked."
Presenting sponsors for the 2009 USBC Open Championships are the Coast Casinos in Las Vegas and the Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; Brunswick, capital equipment supplier; Storm Products, Inc.; Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel and Four Queens Hotel and Casino, the official brackets sponsors; Sapphire Gentleman's Club; Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino; MGM Mirage; Jerry's Nugget Casino and Fitzgerald's Casino and Hotel.
After shooting 508 in team Saturday, Wagner teamed up with Ed Ilano of Auburn, Ga., to take the lead in Regular Doubles with 1,336 at Cashman Center on Sunday. Ilano paced the pair with games of 264, 236 and 204 for a 704 series, while Wagner contributed 183, 264 and 185 for 632.
Bowling on the same squad, Dan Smith of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Darin Belsito of Oakwood, Ga., also cracked the top three with 1,281. Aldis Presley and Ralph Radar Presley of Atlanta previously held the lead with 1,212.
"It's nice to post a good score like this and take the lead right off the bat, but there's still months of competition left," said Ilano, who made his 10th appearance at the Open Championships. "Together, we broke down the lanes really well, not to mention we had some pretty good luck."
Ilano's day did not end there. He went on to shoot 598 in singles to take the lead in Regular All-Events with 1,931. Two-hander Steven Vance of Norcross, Ga., who bowled on the tournament's first doubles and singles squad, previously held the lead with 1,872.
"You come to this event once a year, and you know you have to bowl well," said Ilano, who tossed a 629 series to help Macanudos into the top spot in Regular Team with 2,940 on Saturday. "There are no second chances. Averaging over 200 on this tough Sport condition, and at this venue, is an accomplishment for me."
Ilano's efforts also helped Macanudos set the bar in Team All-Events with 8,944. Arguably the most coveted title up for grabs at the Open Championships, the Team All-Events score is a 45-game total that combines the all-events efforts of all five team members.
Dan Smith added 1,820 for Macanudos and was followed by Chad Pierce (1,763), Wagner (1,727) and Randy Russell (1,703).
Ilano and his team have become regular faces during the tournament's opening weekend, and even if the scores they post early don't hold up, they enjoy the competition and are already looking forward to next year's event.
"Once you get done with your nine games, you're thinking that you can't wait for next year to come," Ilano said. "The USBC puts on such a great event. It blows my mind. Everyone needs to come out and see this event in person. They will be hooked."
Presenting sponsors for the 2009 USBC Open Championships are the Coast Casinos in Las Vegas and the Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; Brunswick, capital equipment supplier; Storm Products, Inc.; Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel and Four Queens Hotel and Casino, the official brackets sponsors; Sapphire Gentleman's Club; Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino; MGM Mirage; Jerry's Nugget Casino and Fitzgerald's Casino and Hotel.