Unlikely pairing results in new Classified Doubles leaders at 2019 USBC Open Championships
March 14, 2019
By Matt Cannizzaro and David McCord
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - Before taking the lanes together Wednesday at the 2019 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, Ronald Shelton of Waukon, Iowa, and Michael Rediske of Hokah, Minnesota, never had bowled together.
In fact, they first met Tuesday during their team event at the South Point Bowling Plaza, though onlookers would've thought by their chemistry they were longtime friends and teammates.
Throughout their three-game doubles set, which included games of 379, 353 and 365 for a 1,097 total, they were there to pick each other up and help each other out.
"Even though we just met, we had confidence in each other and helped push each other to get the job done," said Rediske, a 68-year-old farmer who made his second USBC Open Championships appearance overall, and first since 2009. "Based on our quick success, I think we're definitely going to talk about bowling together again in the future."
Shelton started the doubles event with a 167 game, but Rediske was there to help his partner with some words of encouragement and a 212 game. After a solid second game by both bowlers, Rediske began to struggle the last game, but Shelton was there throwing the first six strikes on his way to a 235 game.
Shelton, a 54-year-old right-hander who manages Waukon's Arrowhead Lanes, finished with a 582 series, while Rediske added 515. Nathan Blunck and Ron Zantingh of Pella, Iowa, previously held the lead with 1,059.
"We really bowled well together, and the venue here was great," said Shelton, who made his ninth Open Championships appearance. "We're going to have to try and do this again."
Classified Doubles is for bowlers with combined entering averages of 310 and below.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - Before taking the lanes together Wednesday at the 2019 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, Ronald Shelton of Waukon, Iowa, and Michael Rediske of Hokah, Minnesota, never had bowled together.
In fact, they first met Tuesday during their team event at the South Point Bowling Plaza, though onlookers would've thought by their chemistry they were longtime friends and teammates.
Throughout their three-game doubles set, which included games of 379, 353 and 365 for a 1,097 total, they were there to pick each other up and help each other out.
"Even though we just met, we had confidence in each other and helped push each other to get the job done," said Rediske, a 68-year-old farmer who made his second USBC Open Championships appearance overall, and first since 2009. "Based on our quick success, I think we're definitely going to talk about bowling together again in the future."
Shelton started the doubles event with a 167 game, but Rediske was there to help his partner with some words of encouragement and a 212 game. After a solid second game by both bowlers, Rediske began to struggle the last game, but Shelton was there throwing the first six strikes on his way to a 235 game.
Shelton, a 54-year-old right-hander who manages Waukon's Arrowhead Lanes, finished with a 582 series, while Rediske added 515. Nathan Blunck and Ron Zantingh of Pella, Iowa, previously held the lead with 1,059.
"We really bowled well together, and the venue here was great," said Shelton, who made his ninth Open Championships appearance. "We're going to have to try and do this again."
Classified Doubles is for bowlers with combined entering averages of 310 and below.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.