First-time bowler takes lead in Standard Singles at 2019 USBC Open Championships
June 06, 2019
By Matt Cannizzaro and David McCord
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - Despite being a first-time participant at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, Cody Morrow of Eugene, Missouri, appeared calm and experienced in a moment many bowlers dream of when taking the lanes on the biggest stage in bowling.
The 32-year-old right-hander stepped up and delivered in his final frame of singles Tuesday at the South Point Bowling Plaza, filling 20 pins to secure the lead in the Standard Division with a 690 series.
Morrow improved from one event to the next in his USBC Open Championships debut and started singles with games of 248 and 216, meaning he'd need another 216 game to match Don Erickson of Renton, Washington, who previously topped the Standard Singles standings with 680.
Six consecutive strikes in the middle of the finale put Morrow in position for a run at the lead, before a missed single pin set the stage for his dramatic 10th frame. He rolled a 10 pin for a strike on the first shot of his final frame and then spared a 9 pin to finish his leading set with a 226 game.
"My teammates told me I needed around 680 to take the lead," Morrow said. "I knew I was close, so I just tried to stay consistent and hit my mark down the stretch. Fortunately, it paid off. With this being my first tournament, winning an Eagle would be absolutely amazing. Coming into it, we were here just for the experience, but to become a champion would be incredible, considering what happened to our center."
Morrow's home center, Capital Bowl in Jefferson City, Missouri, recently was hit by a tornado, and the center's many bowlers have been displaced. Because it was the only facility in the general area, Morrow and his teammate weren't able to prepare for the Open Championships the way they would've liked.
Instead, once they arrived in Las Vegas, they made their way to the South Point Bowling Center, where they used a team practice session to get comfortable with the oil pattern they'd be facing during their team event at the nearby South Point Bowling Plaza.
"Being able to practice on the team pattern before we bowled really helped us adjust to the tougher conditions," Morrow said. "It really helped us be prepared and be more comfortable on the lanes."
Morrow's debut also included sets of 537 in doubles and 417 in team for a 1,644 all-events total.
The Standard Division is for bowlers with entering tournament averages of 156-175.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - Despite being a first-time participant at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, Cody Morrow of Eugene, Missouri, appeared calm and experienced in a moment many bowlers dream of when taking the lanes on the biggest stage in bowling.
The 32-year-old right-hander stepped up and delivered in his final frame of singles Tuesday at the South Point Bowling Plaza, filling 20 pins to secure the lead in the Standard Division with a 690 series.
Morrow improved from one event to the next in his USBC Open Championships debut and started singles with games of 248 and 216, meaning he'd need another 216 game to match Don Erickson of Renton, Washington, who previously topped the Standard Singles standings with 680.
Six consecutive strikes in the middle of the finale put Morrow in position for a run at the lead, before a missed single pin set the stage for his dramatic 10th frame. He rolled a 10 pin for a strike on the first shot of his final frame and then spared a 9 pin to finish his leading set with a 226 game.
"My teammates told me I needed around 680 to take the lead," Morrow said. "I knew I was close, so I just tried to stay consistent and hit my mark down the stretch. Fortunately, it paid off. With this being my first tournament, winning an Eagle would be absolutely amazing. Coming into it, we were here just for the experience, but to become a champion would be incredible, considering what happened to our center."
Morrow's home center, Capital Bowl in Jefferson City, Missouri, recently was hit by a tornado, and the center's many bowlers have been displaced. Because it was the only facility in the general area, Morrow and his teammate weren't able to prepare for the Open Championships the way they would've liked.
Instead, once they arrived in Las Vegas, they made their way to the South Point Bowling Center, where they used a team practice session to get comfortable with the oil pattern they'd be facing during their team event at the nearby South Point Bowling Plaza.
"Being able to practice on the team pattern before we bowled really helped us adjust to the tougher conditions," Morrow said. "It really helped us be prepared and be more comfortable on the lanes."
Morrow's debut also included sets of 537 in doubles and 417 in team for a 1,644 all-events total.
The Standard Division is for bowlers with entering tournament averages of 156-175.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.