Past runners-up take lead in Standard Team at 2019 USBC Open Championships
March 27, 2019
By Matt Cannizzaro and Daniel Farish
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - The members of Steve Austin Team 1 of Sparta, Michigan, used last year's runner-up finish as motivation toward their climb up the leaderboard at the 2019 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
The group was led by new team member John Slott, and his 728 series helped them to a consistent day on the lanes at the South Point Bowling Plaza, which included games of 952, 951 and 961 for a 2,864 total. Schliep Consulting LLC of Shakopee, Minnesota, previously held the lead with 2,849.
Slott's teammates almost were as consistent as their team scores, with Steve Austin (560), Todd Austin (546), Jerry Austin (520) and Joseph Austin (514) all finishing within 50 pins of one another.
"I've really struggled out here the last few years, but today I brought a new ball I had just drilled up, and it gave me a look I haven't had before," said Slott, a 51-year-old left-hander who bowls league at Westgate Bowl in Comstock Park, Michigan. "I shot 815 with it after I drilled it and decided right there it was going back in the bag because I wasn't using it again until today."
An extra source of motivation for Slott was the fact that he wasn't on the team last year for the runner-up finish in Standard Team in Syracuse, New York, and he didn't want to be the one to let them down.
His series Wednesday in Las Vegas was the first 700 of his 19 appearances at the USBC Open Championships. His best effort previously was a 685 set in singles at the 2011 tournament in Reno, Nevada.
The Bowlers ER Tres of Des Plaines, Illinois, brought home the Standard Team title at the 2018 Open Championships with a 2,843 total, while the Austins, then known as AJ's Boys & Grandkids, finished second with 2,735.
Before hitting the lanes Wednesday, the team members were presented with their second-place watches. The 2018 also included Derek Austin, who bowled on their companion team this year.
Two hours and two games later, the competitors found themselves in familiar territory as they tried to chase down the leading team. They thought they were close but didn't quite know the number.
"I just knew I had to keep striking," said Slott, who fired games of 239, 233 and 256, which included throwing the last seven strikes of the final game.
Along with the hope that their trip to the 2020 Open Championships at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno will be as the defending champions, they'll also be there to celebrate another milestone.
Leadoff bowler, Jerry Austin, is scheduled to make his 50th tournament appearance. He has been to all but two events since his debut in 1969, one of which was in 1995, the tournament's first visit to the NBS.
Slott and the Austins will return to the South Point Bowling Plaza for doubles and singles Thursday at 10 a.m. Eastern.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - The members of Steve Austin Team 1 of Sparta, Michigan, used last year's runner-up finish as motivation toward their climb up the leaderboard at the 2019 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
The group was led by new team member John Slott, and his 728 series helped them to a consistent day on the lanes at the South Point Bowling Plaza, which included games of 952, 951 and 961 for a 2,864 total. Schliep Consulting LLC of Shakopee, Minnesota, previously held the lead with 2,849.
Slott's teammates almost were as consistent as their team scores, with Steve Austin (560), Todd Austin (546), Jerry Austin (520) and Joseph Austin (514) all finishing within 50 pins of one another.
"I've really struggled out here the last few years, but today I brought a new ball I had just drilled up, and it gave me a look I haven't had before," said Slott, a 51-year-old left-hander who bowls league at Westgate Bowl in Comstock Park, Michigan. "I shot 815 with it after I drilled it and decided right there it was going back in the bag because I wasn't using it again until today."
An extra source of motivation for Slott was the fact that he wasn't on the team last year for the runner-up finish in Standard Team in Syracuse, New York, and he didn't want to be the one to let them down.
His series Wednesday in Las Vegas was the first 700 of his 19 appearances at the USBC Open Championships. His best effort previously was a 685 set in singles at the 2011 tournament in Reno, Nevada.
The Bowlers ER Tres of Des Plaines, Illinois, brought home the Standard Team title at the 2018 Open Championships with a 2,843 total, while the Austins, then known as AJ's Boys & Grandkids, finished second with 2,735.
Before hitting the lanes Wednesday, the team members were presented with their second-place watches. The 2018 also included Derek Austin, who bowled on their companion team this year.
Two hours and two games later, the competitors found themselves in familiar territory as they tried to chase down the leading team. They thought they were close but didn't quite know the number.
"I just knew I had to keep striking," said Slott, who fired games of 239, 233 and 256, which included throwing the last seven strikes of the final game.
Along with the hope that their trip to the 2020 Open Championships at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno will be as the defending champions, they'll also be there to celebrate another milestone.
Leadoff bowler, Jerry Austin, is scheduled to make his 50th tournament appearance. He has been to all but two events since his debut in 1969, one of which was in 1995, the tournament's first visit to the NBS.
Slott and the Austins will return to the South Point Bowling Plaza for doubles and singles Thursday at 10 a.m. Eastern.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.