Former collegiate teammates lead at 2016 USBC Open
March 11, 2016
RENO, Nev. - If you're fortunate enough to have bowled collegiately with the words Wichita State across your back, you likely have a solid understanding of team play and communication.
When you bring together two teams of former Shockers on the biggest stage in bowling, it's definitely no surprise when the strong foundation and sound fundamentals guide the group to the top of the standings at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
The steady nerves earned with three consecutive collegiate national titles helped 5 ICT Bowlers of Johnston, Iowa, outlast nearly 10 teams battling for the Regular Team lead Friday night at the National Bowling Stadium.
The group posted games of 1,015, 994 and 1,119 to catapult into the top spot with a 3,128 total, while eight other teams on the same squad found their way into the top 10. Racine Screen of Racine, Wisconsin, previously held the lead with 2,911 and now is seventh overall.
Kevin Tatrow led the consistent effort for 5 ICT Bowlers with a 639 series, and he was followed by Nick Pahr (631), Josh McBride (628), Will Barnes (617) and former Team USA member Geoffrey Young (613). The performance was broadcast live on BowlTV.
"We all bowled together for three or four years in college, and now, five or six years out here," Barnes said. "There definitely are some similarities. Each year, you kind of know what you have to do to break it down and how to make the right moves. We talk a lot to each other, just to make sure everyone is on the same page."
The teammates are comfortable together and familiar with success, having led Wichita State to wins at the Intercollegiate Team Championships in 2008, 2009 and 2010. McBride was a member of all three title-winning teams, while the other four team members were present for at least two of the victories.
Jake Peters, also a member of all three championship Shocker teams, set the pace for the other half of the group, and his 645 series lifted Money Talks Breedlove Team into eighth place with a 2,899 effort.
He was joined by Jeffrey Breedlove (606), Dan Peters, Jake's uncle and the owner of a perfect game at the 2008 USBC Open Championships (581), Erik Gulbrandson (563) and Nick Powers (504).
"Our game plan was to keep it close to last year," Barnes said. "It got a little bit away from us in the first game - there were some first-game jitters, and it also was our first time on the live stream - but we brought it back with a big third game. I'm sure we could've done a few things differently, but, overall, our plan worked well."
Bud Light of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, which encountered some bad luck with a solid 8 pin and a 7-10 split in its final frame, settled into second place with a 3,039 total, followed closely by Storm Products 2 of Brigham City, Utah, with 3,028.
All teams from Friday's team event will be back on the lanes Saturday for doubles and singles, while the 2016 Open Championships continues through July 11. Nearly 8,000 five-player teams will make their way to the NBS before the tournament concludes.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
When you bring together two teams of former Shockers on the biggest stage in bowling, it's definitely no surprise when the strong foundation and sound fundamentals guide the group to the top of the standings at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
The steady nerves earned with three consecutive collegiate national titles helped 5 ICT Bowlers of Johnston, Iowa, outlast nearly 10 teams battling for the Regular Team lead Friday night at the National Bowling Stadium.
The group posted games of 1,015, 994 and 1,119 to catapult into the top spot with a 3,128 total, while eight other teams on the same squad found their way into the top 10. Racine Screen of Racine, Wisconsin, previously held the lead with 2,911 and now is seventh overall.
Kevin Tatrow led the consistent effort for 5 ICT Bowlers with a 639 series, and he was followed by Nick Pahr (631), Josh McBride (628), Will Barnes (617) and former Team USA member Geoffrey Young (613). The performance was broadcast live on BowlTV."We all bowled together for three or four years in college, and now, five or six years out here," Barnes said. "There definitely are some similarities. Each year, you kind of know what you have to do to break it down and how to make the right moves. We talk a lot to each other, just to make sure everyone is on the same page."
The teammates are comfortable together and familiar with success, having led Wichita State to wins at the Intercollegiate Team Championships in 2008, 2009 and 2010. McBride was a member of all three title-winning teams, while the other four team members were present for at least two of the victories.
Jake Peters, also a member of all three championship Shocker teams, set the pace for the other half of the group, and his 645 series lifted Money Talks Breedlove Team into eighth place with a 2,899 effort.
He was joined by Jeffrey Breedlove (606), Dan Peters, Jake's uncle and the owner of a perfect game at the 2008 USBC Open Championships (581), Erik Gulbrandson (563) and Nick Powers (504).
"Our game plan was to keep it close to last year," Barnes said. "It got a little bit away from us in the first game - there were some first-game jitters, and it also was our first time on the live stream - but we brought it back with a big third game. I'm sure we could've done a few things differently, but, overall, our plan worked well."
Bud Light of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, which encountered some bad luck with a solid 8 pin and a 7-10 split in its final frame, settled into second place with a 3,039 total, followed closely by Storm Products 2 of Brigham City, Utah, with 3,028.
All teams from Friday's team event will be back on the lanes Saturday for doubles and singles, while the 2016 Open Championships continues through July 11. Nearly 8,000 five-player teams will make their way to the NBS before the tournament concludes.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.