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09-05-2009, 04:24 PM
By MATT FIORITO
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
WHAT HAPPENED: The Super 16 wasn't so super for seven of the eight players who were seeded directly into that round. Only the top seed, reigning player of the year Wes Malott, survived, and he made the most of it, defeating Jeff Carter, 4-1, in the Round of 8 to advance to the much-delayed finals, which will be bowled live in Wichita, Kan., on Dec. 13.
One of the biggest contributors to the day of upsets was 11th-seeded Tom Smallwood of Saginaw, who advanced to a tournament final for the second time in the seven-event World Series of Bowling. After beating Saginaw Valley State alum Dan MacLelland and Chris Barnes earlier in the day, he beat Dave D'Entremont in a seven-game match Friday night, winning the tiebreaker, 235-220. Also advancing was Rhino Page, who will face Malott. Five-time tour champion Harry Sullins of Roseville, seeking his first senior title, will face old foe Hugh Miller in today's Senior World Championship finals. Miller, a seven-time titlist on the regular tour, has one senior title. The finals show, at noon, will start with Kelly Kulick facing Shannon Pluhowsky.
OVERHEARD: "This has been way above my expectations," said Smallwood, who will bowl for the Scorpion Championship at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. "This has validated what I can do out here and all the hard work I put in." Smallwood's story, from laid-off autoworker to budding PBA star, caught the attention of correspondent Anya Kaufer, who will feature him in a story for a German newspaper. Smallwood relaxed between the afternoon and evening rounds by playing the Arctic Thunder video game with his 2-year-old daughter Hannah. "It's so great to have her here," Smallwood said.
TODAY'S LINEUP: After the women's/senior finals at noon, Walter Ray Williams Jr. is the top seed in the stepladder final format of the Motor City Classic at 3 p.m. Others in the field are Chris Barnes, Bill O'Neill, Pete Weber and Tommy Jones. The Viper Championship follows at 7 p.m., with Steve Jaros facing Page and Ryan Ciminelli facing Michael Haugen Jr., with the winners to meet for the title. In the women's final, Lynda Barnes meets Liz Johnson.
SPECIAL TREATS: Today's World Championship finals for the women and seniors will be followed by a trick-shooting contest featuring Finnish star Osku Palermaa against an All-American cast of Barnes, Parker Bohn III, Norm Duke, Brian Voss and Sean Rash. Palermaa, the two-handed thrower with an awesome strike ball, reportedly has an incredible repertoire of trick shots. That's one treat for the fans. There's an extra treat for any unemployed bowling fans and USBC youth bowlers, who can get free admission. Call 313-928-4688.
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
WHAT HAPPENED: The Super 16 wasn't so super for seven of the eight players who were seeded directly into that round. Only the top seed, reigning player of the year Wes Malott, survived, and he made the most of it, defeating Jeff Carter, 4-1, in the Round of 8 to advance to the much-delayed finals, which will be bowled live in Wichita, Kan., on Dec. 13.
One of the biggest contributors to the day of upsets was 11th-seeded Tom Smallwood of Saginaw, who advanced to a tournament final for the second time in the seven-event World Series of Bowling. After beating Saginaw Valley State alum Dan MacLelland and Chris Barnes earlier in the day, he beat Dave D'Entremont in a seven-game match Friday night, winning the tiebreaker, 235-220. Also advancing was Rhino Page, who will face Malott. Five-time tour champion Harry Sullins of Roseville, seeking his first senior title, will face old foe Hugh Miller in today's Senior World Championship finals. Miller, a seven-time titlist on the regular tour, has one senior title. The finals show, at noon, will start with Kelly Kulick facing Shannon Pluhowsky.
OVERHEARD: "This has been way above my expectations," said Smallwood, who will bowl for the Scorpion Championship at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. "This has validated what I can do out here and all the hard work I put in." Smallwood's story, from laid-off autoworker to budding PBA star, caught the attention of correspondent Anya Kaufer, who will feature him in a story for a German newspaper. Smallwood relaxed between the afternoon and evening rounds by playing the Arctic Thunder video game with his 2-year-old daughter Hannah. "It's so great to have her here," Smallwood said.
TODAY'S LINEUP: After the women's/senior finals at noon, Walter Ray Williams Jr. is the top seed in the stepladder final format of the Motor City Classic at 3 p.m. Others in the field are Chris Barnes, Bill O'Neill, Pete Weber and Tommy Jones. The Viper Championship follows at 7 p.m., with Steve Jaros facing Page and Ryan Ciminelli facing Michael Haugen Jr., with the winners to meet for the title. In the women's final, Lynda Barnes meets Liz Johnson.
SPECIAL TREATS: Today's World Championship finals for the women and seniors will be followed by a trick-shooting contest featuring Finnish star Osku Palermaa against an All-American cast of Barnes, Parker Bohn III, Norm Duke, Brian Voss and Sean Rash. Palermaa, the two-handed thrower with an awesome strike ball, reportedly has an incredible repertoire of trick shots. That's one treat for the fans. There's an extra treat for any unemployed bowling fans and USBC youth bowlers, who can get free admission. Call 313-928-4688.