Two bowlers toss perfect games at USBC Open Championships
June 24, 2010
RENO, Nev. - Michael Adamski of Grandview, Mo., and Richard Oellrich of Margate, Fla., rolled the 27th and 28th perfect games of the 2010 USBC Open Championships on Wednesday.
Even with an injured back, Adamski was able to fight through the pain and opened his doubles set with 12 consecutive strikes, while Oellrich ended his trip to the National Bowling Stadium with a dozen strikes of his own to turn a subpar performance into the most memorable day of his bowling career.
"I was practicing yesterday afternoon, and in my fourth game, I felt my back tighten up, but I thought I could get through it," said Adamski, who bowls regularly at Sterling Bowl in Sugar Creek, Mo., and made his third Open Championships appearance. "It was still tight during team and was giving me some problems this morning. I walked into the squad room and told my partner I didn't think I had much today, but I'd give it my best."
Adamski, a 32-year-old right-hander added games of 212 and 218 for a 730 series and teamed up with Tom Patton of Olathe, Kan., to move into sixth place in Regular Doubles with 1,462.
Patton nearly rolled a 300 of his own, but his run ended with a 10 pin after nine straight strikes in their doubles finale. He finished with games of 198, 256 and 278 for a 732 set. Steve Bohn of Norwood, Minn., and John Kreyer Jr. of Fridley, Minn., lead with 1,514.
"Shooting 300 here is something that no one in our group has ever done, and to do it makes me feel proud, but also humble because I know I'm surrounded by better bowlers who make me better every time I bowl," Adamski said. "And I'm speechless about doubles because I don't think anyone in our group has ever placed that high, so just to be in that position feels good. This is pretty amazing, but I can't give enough credit to the people I bowl with."
Adamski's girlfriend, Andrea, is a nurse and was able to help him with his back injury so he could return to the lanes for doubles and singles. After a 643 series in team, he added 566 in singles for a 1,939 all-events total, which is 279 pins higher than his previous high of 1,660 at the 2008 event in Albuquerque, N.M. Patton added 703 in team and 639 in singles for 2,074. Matt McNiel of Chanhassen, Minn., leads Regular All-Events with 2,326.
For Oellrich, competing at the Open Championships is a stepping stone on the way to realizing his dream of a career on the Lumber Liquidators Professional Bowlers Association Tour.
The 34-year-old right-hander has been a highly-competitive bowler for most of his life but took 10 years off (1998-2008) to focus on providing for his family. Not long ago, he ran into a friend who got him back onto the lanes, and before long, it was like he never left.
"I love bowling, and it has been a dream of mine since I was a kid to be on the PBA Tour," said Oellrich, who made his Open Championships debut at the 2009 event in Las Vegas. "As soon as I started bowling again, I realized that my skills hadn't diminished at all, and I could probably be even better than I was because I understand the game better now."
Oellrich heard some people in his league at Brunswick Margate Lanes talking about the Open Championships and thought it would be a good opportunity to test his skills and gauge his progress. Although his debut was disappointing, it gave him some things to work on before returning in 2010.
"I knew going to Nationals would be a great experience and help get me ready for the next level," said Oellrich, who posted a 1,641 all-events total last year. "In the last year, I have really focused on my speed and using newer, stronger equipment instead of trying to overpower the lane. Last year was definitely a learning opportunity."
This year, Oellrich shot 519 in doubles and 516 in team but felt like he was throwing the ball better. He started singles with games of 168 and 185 before piling on the strikes for a 653 series and 1,688 all-events total.
"I struggled a little bit, but I'm getting better at reading the lanes and making adjustments, and it paid off," Oellrich said. "It is the greatest feeling to bowl a 300 at one of the highest levels, and this is a big stepping stone for me. Now, it's time to improve even more, be more consistent and possibly get to a point where I can win some tournaments."
Oellrich's plan for the near future is to compete in PBA regional events this summer and continue chasing his dream.
"I've bowled 300 in league before, but nothing compares to doing it here," Oellrich said. "This is the best experience I've ever had in bowling and is really going to motivate me."
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.
Even with an injured back, Adamski was able to fight through the pain and opened his doubles set with 12 consecutive strikes, while Oellrich ended his trip to the National Bowling Stadium with a dozen strikes of his own to turn a subpar performance into the most memorable day of his bowling career.
"I was practicing yesterday afternoon, and in my fourth game, I felt my back tighten up, but I thought I could get through it," said Adamski, who bowls regularly at Sterling Bowl in Sugar Creek, Mo., and made his third Open Championships appearance. "It was still tight during team and was giving me some problems this morning. I walked into the squad room and told my partner I didn't think I had much today, but I'd give it my best."
Adamski, a 32-year-old right-hander added games of 212 and 218 for a 730 series and teamed up with Tom Patton of Olathe, Kan., to move into sixth place in Regular Doubles with 1,462.
Patton nearly rolled a 300 of his own, but his run ended with a 10 pin after nine straight strikes in their doubles finale. He finished with games of 198, 256 and 278 for a 732 set. Steve Bohn of Norwood, Minn., and John Kreyer Jr. of Fridley, Minn., lead with 1,514.
"Shooting 300 here is something that no one in our group has ever done, and to do it makes me feel proud, but also humble because I know I'm surrounded by better bowlers who make me better every time I bowl," Adamski said. "And I'm speechless about doubles because I don't think anyone in our group has ever placed that high, so just to be in that position feels good. This is pretty amazing, but I can't give enough credit to the people I bowl with."
Adamski's girlfriend, Andrea, is a nurse and was able to help him with his back injury so he could return to the lanes for doubles and singles. After a 643 series in team, he added 566 in singles for a 1,939 all-events total, which is 279 pins higher than his previous high of 1,660 at the 2008 event in Albuquerque, N.M. Patton added 703 in team and 639 in singles for 2,074. Matt McNiel of Chanhassen, Minn., leads Regular All-Events with 2,326.
For Oellrich, competing at the Open Championships is a stepping stone on the way to realizing his dream of a career on the Lumber Liquidators Professional Bowlers Association Tour.
The 34-year-old right-hander has been a highly-competitive bowler for most of his life but took 10 years off (1998-2008) to focus on providing for his family. Not long ago, he ran into a friend who got him back onto the lanes, and before long, it was like he never left.
"I love bowling, and it has been a dream of mine since I was a kid to be on the PBA Tour," said Oellrich, who made his Open Championships debut at the 2009 event in Las Vegas. "As soon as I started bowling again, I realized that my skills hadn't diminished at all, and I could probably be even better than I was because I understand the game better now."
Oellrich heard some people in his league at Brunswick Margate Lanes talking about the Open Championships and thought it would be a good opportunity to test his skills and gauge his progress. Although his debut was disappointing, it gave him some things to work on before returning in 2010.
"I knew going to Nationals would be a great experience and help get me ready for the next level," said Oellrich, who posted a 1,641 all-events total last year. "In the last year, I have really focused on my speed and using newer, stronger equipment instead of trying to overpower the lane. Last year was definitely a learning opportunity."
This year, Oellrich shot 519 in doubles and 516 in team but felt like he was throwing the ball better. He started singles with games of 168 and 185 before piling on the strikes for a 653 series and 1,688 all-events total.
"I struggled a little bit, but I'm getting better at reading the lanes and making adjustments, and it paid off," Oellrich said. "It is the greatest feeling to bowl a 300 at one of the highest levels, and this is a big stepping stone for me. Now, it's time to improve even more, be more consistent and possibly get to a point where I can win some tournaments."
Oellrich's plan for the near future is to compete in PBA regional events this summer and continue chasing his dream.
"I've bowled 300 in league before, but nothing compares to doing it here," Oellrich said. "This is the best experience I've ever had in bowling and is really going to motivate me."
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.