Utah pair takes Classified Doubles lead at 2017 USBC Open Championships
July 05, 2017
LAS VEGAS - What started as an invitation to compete at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships could turn into a national title for Tony Jeppesen and Carlos Soto of Roosevelt, Utah, after they teamed to take the lead in Classified Doubles at the 2017 event.
Jeppesen led the way Wednesday at the South Point Bowling Plaza with games of 203, 152 and 228 for a 583 series, and Soto added 169, 196 and 166 for a 531 set to give the pair a 1,114 total.
The score bested a tie at the top of the standings. The top spot previously was shared by Bud Olriksen Sr. of Las Vegas and Ashley Olriksen of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and Paul Davis and Ted Fleming of Emmett, Idaho, with 1,105.
With both Jeppesen and Soto working on doubles entering the final frame, the duo needed one mark to secure the lead. Jeppesen started things off by leaving a 7 pin, which he was able to convert. Soto could have increased the leading total, but he was unable to fill the frame.
"It was a big surprise to me that we took the lead," said Jeppesen, who made his second USBC Open Championships appearance. "We just tried to play our games and get as many marks as we could."
The two made their way to the Open Championships after being invited by some of their friends from Ute Lanes in Fort Duchesne, Utah, and the 2017 event marked Soto's debut on the championship lanes.
"The whole experience was exciting," said Soto, a 23-year-old right-hander. "I definitely wasn't expecting to be leaving in the lead, but it's pretty cool to be able to do that at a new event."
The duo now will wait and see if their score can hold on for a few more squads. The 2017 Open Championships began its 149-day run Feb. 18 and will conclude July 16.
"It's pretty cool to see a couple of guys from the Uintah Basin on top of the leaderboard," said Jeppesen, a 49-year-old right-hander. "It'd be great to hold on for the win."
Classified Doubles includes bowlers with combined entering averages of 360 and below.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
Jeppesen led the way Wednesday at the South Point Bowling Plaza with games of 203, 152 and 228 for a 583 series, and Soto added 169, 196 and 166 for a 531 set to give the pair a 1,114 total.
The score bested a tie at the top of the standings. The top spot previously was shared by Bud Olriksen Sr. of Las Vegas and Ashley Olriksen of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and Paul Davis and Ted Fleming of Emmett, Idaho, with 1,105.
With both Jeppesen and Soto working on doubles entering the final frame, the duo needed one mark to secure the lead. Jeppesen started things off by leaving a 7 pin, which he was able to convert. Soto could have increased the leading total, but he was unable to fill the frame.
"It was a big surprise to me that we took the lead," said Jeppesen, who made his second USBC Open Championships appearance. "We just tried to play our games and get as many marks as we could."
The two made their way to the Open Championships after being invited by some of their friends from Ute Lanes in Fort Duchesne, Utah, and the 2017 event marked Soto's debut on the championship lanes.
"The whole experience was exciting," said Soto, a 23-year-old right-hander. "I definitely wasn't expecting to be leaving in the lead, but it's pretty cool to be able to do that at a new event."
The duo now will wait and see if their score can hold on for a few more squads. The 2017 Open Championships began its 149-day run Feb. 18 and will conclude July 16.
"It's pretty cool to see a couple of guys from the Uintah Basin on top of the leaderboard," said Jeppesen, a 49-year-old right-hander. "It'd be great to hold on for the win."
Classified Doubles includes bowlers with combined entering averages of 360 and below.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.