Former champions help Wisconsin team into lead at USBC Open Championships
March 10, 2010
RENO, Nev. - Six years ago, Joseph Crocco Jr. and Mike Vasey of Racine, Wis., took home the Regular Doubles title at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, and now they hope to share that winning feeling with their teammates.
The pair helped Central Saw and Mower into the Regular Team lead with a 3,081 effort at the National Bowling Stadium on Thursday and into the top spot in Team All-Events with a 9,017 total Friday.
Despite a 913 start Thursday, the team bounced back with games of 1,008 and 1,160, the highest team game at this year's event by more than 100 pins. Pandorum of Buford, Ga., which bowled on the tournament's opening squad, previously held the Regular Team lead with 3,063.
The tournament-tested Central Saw and Mower bowlers finished their final game with 10 out of a possible 15 strikes to secure the top spot. The exciting finish included a clutch double by Vasey, the team's anchor bowler.
"There's no one tougher than Mike," said Crocco, who bowled in his 19th USBC Open Championships. "When the pressure is on, no one is better in the anchor spot."
Scott Salinas led the team with a 696 series and credited the late run to proper planning earlier in the shift.
"We tried to stay out of the middle of the lane early," said Salinas, who made his third Open Championships appearance. "When the shot opened up, we were able to excel towards the end of the third game."
Crocco and Vasey, who combined to shoot 1,477 on the way to the doubles title in 2004, relied on their past success at the National Bowling Stadium to help them breakdown the shot. Vasey contributed 635 to the team effort and was followed by Crocco (629), Dustin Vasey (568) and Eric Mertins (553).
"We always come in with a game plan, but it doesn't always play out the way you want it to," Crocco said. "Knowing what it takes and how this center plays, we knew we could put together a big finish if the lanes broke down close to the way they did when Mike and I won in 2004."
Returning to the Stadium also gives Crocco and Vasey the opportunity to relive their tournament victory and enjoy their place in the history books. And, of course, there's always the hope of another run at Open Championships glory.
"The win in 2004 was fantastic," Crocco said. "Walking out with the lead again really leaves me speechless. It's an awesome feeling."
Team All-Events first was recognized as an official title in 1947 and includes the all-events scores from all five team members.
Mike Vasey led the way for Central Saw and Mower with 1,937 and was followed by Salinas (1,918), Crocco (1,811), Dustin Vasey (1,692) and Mertins (1,659). Big Dogs 2 of Lee's Summit, Mo., previously held the Team All-Events lead with 8,857.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.
The pair helped Central Saw and Mower into the Regular Team lead with a 3,081 effort at the National Bowling Stadium on Thursday and into the top spot in Team All-Events with a 9,017 total Friday.
Despite a 913 start Thursday, the team bounced back with games of 1,008 and 1,160, the highest team game at this year's event by more than 100 pins. Pandorum of Buford, Ga., which bowled on the tournament's opening squad, previously held the Regular Team lead with 3,063.
The tournament-tested Central Saw and Mower bowlers finished their final game with 10 out of a possible 15 strikes to secure the top spot. The exciting finish included a clutch double by Vasey, the team's anchor bowler.
"There's no one tougher than Mike," said Crocco, who bowled in his 19th USBC Open Championships. "When the pressure is on, no one is better in the anchor spot."
Scott Salinas led the team with a 696 series and credited the late run to proper planning earlier in the shift.
"We tried to stay out of the middle of the lane early," said Salinas, who made his third Open Championships appearance. "When the shot opened up, we were able to excel towards the end of the third game."
Crocco and Vasey, who combined to shoot 1,477 on the way to the doubles title in 2004, relied on their past success at the National Bowling Stadium to help them breakdown the shot. Vasey contributed 635 to the team effort and was followed by Crocco (629), Dustin Vasey (568) and Eric Mertins (553).
"We always come in with a game plan, but it doesn't always play out the way you want it to," Crocco said. "Knowing what it takes and how this center plays, we knew we could put together a big finish if the lanes broke down close to the way they did when Mike and I won in 2004."
Returning to the Stadium also gives Crocco and Vasey the opportunity to relive their tournament victory and enjoy their place in the history books. And, of course, there's always the hope of another run at Open Championships glory.
"The win in 2004 was fantastic," Crocco said. "Walking out with the lead again really leaves me speechless. It's an awesome feeling."
Team All-Events first was recognized as an official title in 1947 and includes the all-events scores from all five team members.
Mike Vasey led the way for Central Saw and Mower with 1,937 and was followed by Salinas (1,918), Crocco (1,811), Dustin Vasey (1,692) and Mertins (1,659). Big Dogs 2 of Lee's Summit, Mo., previously held the Team All-Events lead with 8,857.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.