Texas bowler shoots 800 at 2010 OC
May 04, 2010
RENO, Nev. - Eric Traylor of Cypress, Texas, celebrated his birthday a day early by rolling the fourth 800 series of the 2010 USBC Open Championships on Monday.
With his 26th birthday just hours away, Traylor put together games of 279, 288 and 244 for an 811 series and moved into second place in Regular Singles. Terrence Syring of Bay City, Mich., leads with 833.
"I was incredibly nervous, but right now, I am very happy," said Traylor, who made his ninth Open Championships appearance. "After I opened in the fourth frame of the last game, I really wasn't thinking about 800. I knew I already had two big games, and I just wanted to stay clean the rest of the way and finish strong."
Since he had broken the 1,900 all-events barrier in five of his first eight trips to the tournament, Traylor's goal at the National Bowling Stadium this year was to top the 2,000 mark for the first time.
He got some advice about how to play the lanes from some of the top senior players in the Houston area as well as his brother-in-law, Larry Thompson Jr. of Spring, Texas, who was the early singles leader with 742.
Traylor actually moved around quite a bit during his nine games, playing outside, then inside and then outside again, but his scores were consistent overall. He added 669 in doubles and 648 in team for a career-best 2,128 all-events total, which is ninth overall. Matt McNiel of Chanhassen, Minn., leads Regular All-Events with a record 2,326.
"I ended up throwing a weaker ball today, but the key was to stay aggressive," said Traylor, who bowls regularly at Houston's Copperfield Bowl and Palace Lanes. "I got some good advice and tried a few different things, and it all just came together for me. This is the highlight of my bowling career and a great birthday present."
Traylor started bowling when he was 10 years old and learned the fundamentals of the game from his father. He made a lot of friends on the lanes and found success with hand-me-down bowling balls. He practiced often and hard and left the USBC Youth ranks when he was just 16.
Years of competing against more experienced bowlers help Traylor excel. In nine years at the Open Championships, he has maintained a 211.9 average and also bowled well this week at the nearby Storm Bowlers Journal Championships, presented by USBC.
Traylor posted games of 254, 248, 258 and 197 for a 957 set at the Bowlers Journal and moved into fourth place in Open Singles. Former Team USA member Derek Eoff of Arlington, Texas, leads with 1,017.
"I'm leaving in the top 10 in three events, including the Bowlers Journal, so I am pretty excited right now," Traylor said. "Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better trip."
Earlier on Monday, Scott Erickson of Oregon, Wis., cracked the top 10 in three events.
His 2,130 all-events total is good for eighth place, and the effort helped Team Pabst of Madison, Wis., into sixth place in Team All-Events. Linds Lakers of Minneapolis leads with 10,187.
Erickson was joined by Chris Gibbons (2,093), Kevin Thompson (1,949), Jeff Prein (1,937) and Troy Cox (1,710).
Erickson and Gibbons also moved into 10th place in Regular Doubles with 1,420. Erik Vermilyea of Mansfield, Texas, and Jeffrey Mersch of Orlando, Fla., lead with 1,507.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, Nevada. 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.
With his 26th birthday just hours away, Traylor put together games of 279, 288 and 244 for an 811 series and moved into second place in Regular Singles. Terrence Syring of Bay City, Mich., leads with 833.
"I was incredibly nervous, but right now, I am very happy," said Traylor, who made his ninth Open Championships appearance. "After I opened in the fourth frame of the last game, I really wasn't thinking about 800. I knew I already had two big games, and I just wanted to stay clean the rest of the way and finish strong."
Since he had broken the 1,900 all-events barrier in five of his first eight trips to the tournament, Traylor's goal at the National Bowling Stadium this year was to top the 2,000 mark for the first time.
He got some advice about how to play the lanes from some of the top senior players in the Houston area as well as his brother-in-law, Larry Thompson Jr. of Spring, Texas, who was the early singles leader with 742.
Traylor actually moved around quite a bit during his nine games, playing outside, then inside and then outside again, but his scores were consistent overall. He added 669 in doubles and 648 in team for a career-best 2,128 all-events total, which is ninth overall. Matt McNiel of Chanhassen, Minn., leads Regular All-Events with a record 2,326.
"I ended up throwing a weaker ball today, but the key was to stay aggressive," said Traylor, who bowls regularly at Houston's Copperfield Bowl and Palace Lanes. "I got some good advice and tried a few different things, and it all just came together for me. This is the highlight of my bowling career and a great birthday present."
Traylor started bowling when he was 10 years old and learned the fundamentals of the game from his father. He made a lot of friends on the lanes and found success with hand-me-down bowling balls. He practiced often and hard and left the USBC Youth ranks when he was just 16.
Years of competing against more experienced bowlers help Traylor excel. In nine years at the Open Championships, he has maintained a 211.9 average and also bowled well this week at the nearby Storm Bowlers Journal Championships, presented by USBC.
Traylor posted games of 254, 248, 258 and 197 for a 957 set at the Bowlers Journal and moved into fourth place in Open Singles. Former Team USA member Derek Eoff of Arlington, Texas, leads with 1,017.
"I'm leaving in the top 10 in three events, including the Bowlers Journal, so I am pretty excited right now," Traylor said. "Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better trip."
Earlier on Monday, Scott Erickson of Oregon, Wis., cracked the top 10 in three events.
His 2,130 all-events total is good for eighth place, and the effort helped Team Pabst of Madison, Wis., into sixth place in Team All-Events. Linds Lakers of Minneapolis leads with 10,187.
Erickson was joined by Chris Gibbons (2,093), Kevin Thompson (1,949), Jeff Prein (1,937) and Troy Cox (1,710).
Erickson and Gibbons also moved into 10th place in Regular Doubles with 1,420. Erik Vermilyea of Mansfield, Texas, and Jeffrey Mersch of Orlando, Fla., lead with 1,507.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, Nevada. 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.