Missouri bowler adds name to elite list at OC
May 21, 2013
By Jessica Gilgor
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Marc Heninger of Grandview, Mo., added his name to an elite list at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships when he became the 33rd bowler in tournament history, and 13th at the National Bowling Stadium, with a 300 game and 800 series on the championship lanes.
The 27-year-old right-hander rolled games of 224, 300 and 247 for a 771 series Tuesday and helped Barney's 1 of Rogersville, Mo., to games of 1,026, 1,137 and 1,145 for a 3,308 team total. Lodge Lanes Too of Orlando, Fla., leads Regular Team with a record score of 3,538.
Heninger's first appearance in the spotlight at the USBC Open Championships came in 2011 when he rolled an 803 series in doubles. It was one of a record 16 800s at the NBS in 2011.
"This feels great," said Heninger, who made his eighth Open Championships appearance. "I don't how many people have actually been able to shoot an 800 and a 300 here, but the Stadium has been good to me over the years."
Heninger admits to feeling some pressure coming into this year's tournament because his new teammates have enjoyed past success at the Open Championships, and he didn't want to let them down.
Barney's 1 finished second in Regular Team in 2007, and Ron Dixon rolled an 815 series in doubles in 2011. The team also includes Professional Bowlers Association champion Joe Firpo. Heninger was called in to replace Chuck Gardner, who is at the GEICO PBA Summer Swing in Milwaukee, fulfilling his responsibilities as the PBA Tour rep for Brunswick.
"I got asked to bowl on this team a couple of months ago when my team fizzled out, and I knew they made a run at an eagle a few years ago, so I knew I had some big shoes to fill," said Heninger, whose 300 was the 21st of the 2013 tournament. "They're good friends from Springfield, which made it a little bit easier, but at the same time, I am filling Chuck Gardner's shoes and just felt like I needed to do something for them."
Heninger was followed by Tony Yarbrough (685), Jason Toth (658), Dixon (622) and Firpo (572).
The teammates prepared for their appearance at the NBS by watching recent live stream broadcasts on BowlTV and by keeping up with what others were saying.
"After watching Jeff Richgels' team and a couple of other people, and getting his advice from his blog, we were able to come up with a game plan, and it worked out well," Heninger said. "We did leave a lot of sticks out there with carry, but the team shot well, and we threw the ball well. The pins didn't fall for some people, but they fell for me today."
As he got closer to perfection, Heninger relied on his past tournament experience and time spent on his home lanes at Ranch Bowl in Kansas City, Kan., where he also drills balls six days a week.
"It's one of the harder houses to carry in, so it makes me make better shots," Heninger said. "At the end, I just wanted to throw another good shot. I had thrown 11 good ones and just needed one more, and then let the pins fall from there. It's all I can do."
Tuesday's afternoon team event was a high-scoring affair, as four other teams also eclipsed the 3,200 mark. Shirts4bowling.com of Portland, Ore., set the pace and moved into a tie for seventh place in Regular Team with a 3,439 total. It was the record 13th 3,400 of the year.
PBA champion Hugh Miller led the way for Shirts4bowling.com with a 737 series and was followed by Jason Lower (703), Daniel Jackson Jr. (691), Dean Richards (689) and Mike Danielson (619).
Presenting sponsors for the 2013 USBC Open Championships include Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno.
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Marc Heninger of Grandview, Mo., added his name to an elite list at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships when he became the 33rd bowler in tournament history, and 13th at the National Bowling Stadium, with a 300 game and 800 series on the championship lanes.The 27-year-old right-hander rolled games of 224, 300 and 247 for a 771 series Tuesday and helped Barney's 1 of Rogersville, Mo., to games of 1,026, 1,137 and 1,145 for a 3,308 team total. Lodge Lanes Too of Orlando, Fla., leads Regular Team with a record score of 3,538.
Heninger's first appearance in the spotlight at the USBC Open Championships came in 2011 when he rolled an 803 series in doubles. It was one of a record 16 800s at the NBS in 2011.
"This feels great," said Heninger, who made his eighth Open Championships appearance. "I don't how many people have actually been able to shoot an 800 and a 300 here, but the Stadium has been good to me over the years."
Heninger admits to feeling some pressure coming into this year's tournament because his new teammates have enjoyed past success at the Open Championships, and he didn't want to let them down.
Barney's 1 finished second in Regular Team in 2007, and Ron Dixon rolled an 815 series in doubles in 2011. The team also includes Professional Bowlers Association champion Joe Firpo. Heninger was called in to replace Chuck Gardner, who is at the GEICO PBA Summer Swing in Milwaukee, fulfilling his responsibilities as the PBA Tour rep for Brunswick.
"I got asked to bowl on this team a couple of months ago when my team fizzled out, and I knew they made a run at an eagle a few years ago, so I knew I had some big shoes to fill," said Heninger, whose 300 was the 21st of the 2013 tournament. "They're good friends from Springfield, which made it a little bit easier, but at the same time, I am filling Chuck Gardner's shoes and just felt like I needed to do something for them."
Heninger was followed by Tony Yarbrough (685), Jason Toth (658), Dixon (622) and Firpo (572).
The teammates prepared for their appearance at the NBS by watching recent live stream broadcasts on BowlTV and by keeping up with what others were saying.
"After watching Jeff Richgels' team and a couple of other people, and getting his advice from his blog, we were able to come up with a game plan, and it worked out well," Heninger said. "We did leave a lot of sticks out there with carry, but the team shot well, and we threw the ball well. The pins didn't fall for some people, but they fell for me today."
As he got closer to perfection, Heninger relied on his past tournament experience and time spent on his home lanes at Ranch Bowl in Kansas City, Kan., where he also drills balls six days a week.
"It's one of the harder houses to carry in, so it makes me make better shots," Heninger said. "At the end, I just wanted to throw another good shot. I had thrown 11 good ones and just needed one more, and then let the pins fall from there. It's all I can do."
Tuesday's afternoon team event was a high-scoring affair, as four other teams also eclipsed the 3,200 mark. Shirts4bowling.com of Portland, Ore., set the pace and moved into a tie for seventh place in Regular Team with a 3,439 total. It was the record 13th 3,400 of the year.
PBA champion Hugh Miller led the way for Shirts4bowling.com with a 737 series and was followed by Jason Lower (703), Daniel Jackson Jr. (691), Dean Richards (689) and Mike Danielson (619).
Presenting sponsors for the 2013 USBC Open Championships include Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno.