Pair of 300s rolled at 2013 OC
May 25, 2013
By Aaron Smith and Jessica Gilgor
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Perfect games seem to be coming in groups this year at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, and this time, it was Andrew Colon of Zephyrhills, Fla., and Brian Waugh of Glendale, Ariz., who achieved perfection at the National Bowling Stadium.
Colon, a 24-year-old right-hander recorded the 22nd perfect game of the 2013 USBC Open Championships during his team event Friday night, while Waugh, a 40-year-old right-hander, tossed his 300 game in singles Saturday morning.
Focusing on the team mentality he learned while bowling collegiately at Webber International University, Colon opened with games of 237 and 236 before stringing 12 consecutive strikes in the final. His 773 series helped Sarah's Boyz of Hoover, Ala., to a 3,156 team total. Lodge Lanes Too of Orlando, Fla., leads Regular Team with a record score of 3,538.
After starting with a 1,060 game, Sarah's Boyz struggled with transition and found itself falling off pace on the way to 1,011 in Game 2. Colon was focused on helping him teammates get back on track and found himself taking the role of coach and advisor as he helped them close with 1,085.
"I was more focused on helping my teammates and watching their ball reaction," said Colon, who made his third Open Championships appearance. "I was trying to get them lined up, since we struggled in the second game. I really wasn't concerned about myself at all, and I think that was a big bonus."
As he stood up in the 10th frame, Colon found a different kind of adversity as he waited for a ball return after his first offering. He was able to put that aside and remembered what his coaches taught him throughout the years as he delivered two more strikes to etch his name in tournament history.
"I have to give credit to my background at Webber," said Colon, who works as a manager at Pin Chasers East Pasco in Zephyrhills. "I just tried not to think about it and focused on one shot at a time. Collegiate bowling is a must. It helps you get mentally and physically ready for any challenge. I'd also like to thank Bryan Manno for putting in the time and getting me to the next level."
Colon was swarmed by teammates and fellow bowlers after his final strike and appreciated the chance to share the moment with friends.
"The first person I looked to was my best friend, Larry Brande," Colon said. "He's always been there through thick and thin, and I knew he would be on the lanes. It's a hell of a rush. You get there and want to go really fast, but you have to take your time. It's overwhelming. I still can't believe I did it. It's just a great tournament. Anybody who hasn't bowled this tournament needs to."
Waugh relied on the practice he's had on his home lanes at AMF Christown Lanes in Phoenix to help him become the 23rd bowler to roll a 300 game at the 2013 Open Championships.
"They put out the same oil pattern, and I saw two different reactions, but it was close enough to get a good idea," said Waugh, who made his seventh Open Championships appearance.
He added games of 231 and 214 before finishing with 300 for a 745 singles series. John Szczerbinski of North Tonawanda N.Y., leads Regular Singles with 789.
In addition to practice on the 39-foot Sport Bowling-certified lane condition being used for doubles and singles at the Open Championships this year, Waugh also made an adjustment to his equipment. Usually, he prefers shiny equipment, but a little surface was the key to his success at the NBS this week.
Waugh's teammates, whom he found through the sub board on BOWL.com, helped him keep his composure during his run at 300.
"I didn't even know them before yesterday, Waugh said. "They were encouraging me, but most of them were quiet and just let me do my thing. I didn't even think about it while it was happening. I just wanted to make good shots. The 11th ball felt good off my hand, and then the 12th ball, I just relaxed, and it was nothing after that."
Waugh finished his 2013 Open Championships campaign with 667 in team and 653 in doubles for a career-best 2,065 all-events total.
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. - Perfect games seem to be coming in groups this year at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, and this time, it was Andrew Colon of Zephyrhills, Fla., and Brian Waugh of Glendale, Ariz., who achieved perfection at the National Bowling Stadium.
Colon, a 24-year-old right-hander recorded the 22nd perfect game of the 2013 USBC Open Championships during his team event Friday night, while Waugh, a 40-year-old right-hander, tossed his 300 game in singles Saturday morning.
Focusing on the team mentality he learned while bowling collegiately at Webber International University, Colon opened with games of 237 and 236 before stringing 12 consecutive strikes in the final. His 773 series helped Sarah's Boyz of Hoover, Ala., to a 3,156 team total. Lodge Lanes Too of Orlando, Fla., leads Regular Team with a record score of 3,538.After starting with a 1,060 game, Sarah's Boyz struggled with transition and found itself falling off pace on the way to 1,011 in Game 2. Colon was focused on helping him teammates get back on track and found himself taking the role of coach and advisor as he helped them close with 1,085.
"I was more focused on helping my teammates and watching their ball reaction," said Colon, who made his third Open Championships appearance. "I was trying to get them lined up, since we struggled in the second game. I really wasn't concerned about myself at all, and I think that was a big bonus."
As he stood up in the 10th frame, Colon found a different kind of adversity as he waited for a ball return after his first offering. He was able to put that aside and remembered what his coaches taught him throughout the years as he delivered two more strikes to etch his name in tournament history.
"I have to give credit to my background at Webber," said Colon, who works as a manager at Pin Chasers East Pasco in Zephyrhills. "I just tried not to think about it and focused on one shot at a time. Collegiate bowling is a must. It helps you get mentally and physically ready for any challenge. I'd also like to thank Bryan Manno for putting in the time and getting me to the next level."
Colon was swarmed by teammates and fellow bowlers after his final strike and appreciated the chance to share the moment with friends.
"The first person I looked to was my best friend, Larry Brande," Colon said. "He's always been there through thick and thin, and I knew he would be on the lanes. It's a hell of a rush. You get there and want to go really fast, but you have to take your time. It's overwhelming. I still can't believe I did it. It's just a great tournament. Anybody who hasn't bowled this tournament needs to."
Waugh relied on the practice he's had on his home lanes at AMF Christown Lanes in Phoenix to help him become the 23rd bowler to roll a 300 game at the 2013 Open Championships."They put out the same oil pattern, and I saw two different reactions, but it was close enough to get a good idea," said Waugh, who made his seventh Open Championships appearance.
He added games of 231 and 214 before finishing with 300 for a 745 singles series. John Szczerbinski of North Tonawanda N.Y., leads Regular Singles with 789.
In addition to practice on the 39-foot Sport Bowling-certified lane condition being used for doubles and singles at the Open Championships this year, Waugh also made an adjustment to his equipment. Usually, he prefers shiny equipment, but a little surface was the key to his success at the NBS this week.
Waugh's teammates, whom he found through the sub board on BOWL.com, helped him keep his composure during his run at 300.
"I didn't even know them before yesterday, Waugh said. "They were encouraging me, but most of them were quiet and just let me do my thing. I didn't even think about it while it was happening. I just wanted to make good shots. The 11th ball felt good off my hand, and then the 12th ball, I just relaxed, and it was nothing after that."
Waugh finished his 2013 Open Championships campaign with 667 in team and 653 in doubles for a career-best 2,065 all-events total.
Presenting sponsors for the 2013 USBC Open Championships include Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno.