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NYS USBC Revises Schedule
for Adult Championship Tourneys

MARCH 31, 2020 -- The New York State USBC has adjusted its adult championship tournament schedule in light of this year's cancellations due to the COVID-19 Pandemic that has shut down many businesses and forced citizens to stay in their homes and practice social distancing.

Starting with the Open Championships, the 2021 tournament will take place at Boulevard Bowl in Schenectady -- which was the site of this year's Team, Doubles, Singles and All-Events competition.

Dates for the 2021 tourney are April 16-18, 23-25, 30-May 2, May 14-16.

The 2021 Women's Championships are scheduled to take place at Transit Lanes in Buffalo on April 10-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30-May 2, May 14-16.

This year's tournament was to be held at AMF Strike 'N Spare Lanes in Syracuse, but was cancelled. Since AMF Strike 'N Spare was unable to host the tournament next year, it was awarded the Women's Championships in 2023.

The next NYS USBC tournament is the Women's Senior Singles Championships at Roseland Bowl in Canandaigua, Aug. 14-16, 21-23, 2020. As of this writing, the tournament is still on for those dates.

CLICK HERE for an updated list of NYS USBC adult tournaments.

Earl Anthony Memorial Scholarship
New Yorker Amanda Naujokas
is One of Five Recipients

ARLINGTON, Texas, March 26, 2020 – Five United States Bowling Congress Youth members, including Amanda Naujokas of Lake Ronkonkoma, were selected to receive an Earl Anthony Memorial Scholarship in recognition of their academic achievements and contributions to their communities.

Recipients were selected by the International Bowling Campus Youth Committee from submitted applications and each receives a $5,000 scholarship. The scholarship is named in honor of the legendary hall of famer who was dedicated to helping youth bowlers.

The five recipients of an Earl Anthony Memorial Scholarship are:

Amanda Naujokas, Lake Ronkonkoma, New York
Bridget Bazile, Tigerton, Wisconsin
Bailey Knierim, San Antonio
Alexander Kobus, Crown Point, Indiana
Lane Thompson, Irving, Texas

Amanda Naujokas is a senior at Sachem North High School, where she has a 4.0 GPA and has taken honors courses in psychology, world and United States history, environmental science and Spanish. A member of the National Honor Society, Foreign Language Honor Society, and Business and Marketing Honor Society, she has more than 200 hours of community service.

The captain of the bowling team, she currently is a member of the Junior Team USA U17 Development team. She has signed to bowl for Vanderbilt in the fall.

Youth Ambassador of the Year
Long Island's Courtney Morelli
Receives USBC National Honor

ARLINGTON, Texas, March 24, 2020 – Courtney Morelli of Selden, New York, and Tanner Ausec of Colorado Springs, Colorado, have been selected as the United States Bowling Congress Youth Ambassadors of the Year.

The annual award recognizes a male and a female USBC Youth bowler for exemplary contributions in the sport outside of league or tournament play, academic accomplishments, and community involvement.

Selected by the International Bowling Campus Youth Committee, based on submitted applications, Morelli and Ausec each will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

Morelli has been a member of the Long Island USBC Youth Leaders program since 2013, and currently serves as treasurer. She chairs the Fundraising and Recruitment committees, and mentors new members.

She also is the vice president of the New York State Youth Leaders board, which she has served on for the last two years.

“Receiving this award is an incredible honor,” Morelli said. “I absolutely love participating in Youth Leaders events and helping out in any way possible. This is such a validation to all the years I’ve spent participating as a Youth Leader and furthering the bowling program.”

While her work with the Youth Leaders program has helped the local and state association, it also has taught Morelli valuable skills.

“I have always been a shy kid, and joining this program has really built up my confidence,” Morelli said. “I have developed my social skills and how to interact with adults. My organization and planning skills have really improved, as well as my problem-solving skills.”

A senior at Newfield High School, she has been a member of the school’s bowling team since the seventh grade. She also competes in a travel league.

She plans to study business administration in the fall.

Ausec currently is serving his third one-year term as a youth director on the Pikes Peak USBC board, ensuring local youth are represented and served through tournaments and awards programs.

“I have been fortunate to receive so much from the local bowling community,” Ausec said. “Whether through coaching, equipment, or knowledge, there have always been people to support me. As I grew up, I learned to understand the importance of giving back wherever possible, which is why I began coaching. This award is an acknowledgment of not only my efforts to give back to the game, but recognition of all that I have received from my local bowling community, as well.”

A senior at Rampart High School, Ausec has a 4.19 grade-point average and ranks sixth in his class. On the lanes, he helped Rampart win back-to-back state team titles the past two seasons.

He started coaching youth bowlers at King Pin Lanes in Colorado Springs four years ago, as part of a National Junior Honor Society community service requirement. He said he quickly realized how much he enjoyed teaching the basic skills of the sport, and it gave him a greater appreciation of those who coached him.

“Coaching has taught me a number of things, but first and foremost it is a constant reminder that bowling should always be fun,” Ausec said. “It has also taught me to be a better student of the game, and my skill level has benefited because of it.”

Ausec will attend the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the fall and plans to bowl for the Warhawks.

Morelli and Ausec also may have the opportunity to serve on the IBC Youth Committee and be eligible for additional scholarship funds. Youth Ambassadors selected to serve on the IBC Youth Committee must be at least 18 years old as of Aug. 1 in year of selection.

Attention NYS USBC Members
2020 Adult, Youth
Tournaments Cancelled

MARCH 15, 2020

To New York State USBC members:

Based on recent developments within New York State in regards to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the NYS USBC has determined that in the best interest of our membership and  the local communities we are cancelling all NYS USBC tournaments (youth and adult) scheduled for the remainder of the 2020 bowling season, which ends on July 31st.

The tournaments cancelled are the NYS Women's, Queens and Open Championships; Youth Pepsi regionals, Youth Pepsi and Youth Team finals and Adult-Youth tournament.

Thank you all for your comments, opinions and suggestions as to what we should do to address this critical concern.  Please be patient while we process the return of entry fees. They will be processed as quick as possible.

Team captains and individual bowlers are advised to cancel their hotel reservations at the various state tournament sites as soon as possible.

Roger Buckman
President
NYS USBC

Youth Volunteer of the Year
USBC Honors Tom Solimine Sr.
for Many Years of Dedicated Service

ARLINGTON, Texas – Thomas Solimine Sr., who has coordinated tournaments for youth bowlers throughout New York and runs youth leagues at the local level, has been selected as the United States Bowling Congress Youth Volunteer of the Year by the International Bowling Campus Youth Committee.

The award recognizes an adult volunteer who has displayed outstanding efforts to foster, organize and promote certified youth bowling programs at the local, state and/or national level. The IBC Youth Committee selects the national award winner from submitted applications.

“It is a great honor to receive this award by USBC,” Solimine said. “It is a recognition of many years of work, but as you know, you never do it alone. I have worked with many great volunteers over the years and they deserve some of the credit also.”

Solimine, who lives in White Plains, New York, has been involved in youth bowling for more than 30 years. He currently chairs the New York State USBC Youth Committee and serves as the youth representative on the Westchester County USBC. He has served in many roles at the local and state level, including president of his local association and of the NYS USBC Youth association.

While he has directed many tournaments, the NYS USBC Adult/Junior event might be at the top of the list. Started in 1999, as part of the NYS USBC Youth Championships, the first event had 50 teams, and now draws bowlers from throughout the state.

“Something that started out as a fun event in 1999 has turned into a very special tournament,” Solimine said. “Our State Adult/Junior Championship tournament has been a great success. We have averaged over 300 doubles teams each year and have awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to our champions.’

Solimine also has served on the Young American Bowling Alliance Coca-Cola National Committee, is a former president of the New York State Bowling Council, served as a volunteer with Special Olympics and was an Empire State Games Tournament Director.

He runs the Saturday Morning Youth Bowling Program at Bowlmor White Plains, which he has overseen for more than 20 years, and serves as a volunteer with a local football league, helping coordinate referees.

He was inducted into the Westchester County USBC Hall of Fame in 2000 and the New York State USBC Hall of Fame in 2012 for his work with youth bowlers.

Solimine will be presented with USBC Youth Volunteer of the Year at the 2020 USBC Convention and Annual Meeting, set for April 27-30 at The Orleans in Las Vegas. BowlTV.com will have live coverage of the awards presentations.

Visit BOWL.com/ScholarshipsAwards to learn more about awards for adult youth leaders and scholarship opportunities for youth bowlers.

KEENAN IS KING: NYS USBC Association Manager Mike Pettinella, left, presents the NYS Masters Championship plaque to Dan Keenan as runner-up Shanna Chepelsky looks on Saturday night at King Pin Lanes in Rome.  Keenan and Chepelsky are from Rochester and East Rochester, respectively, and bowl together in the LeChase Sport Classic League at Gates Lanes.

30th NYS Masters
Dan Keenan Tops Chepelsky
in All-Rochester Title Match

MARCH 8, 2020 – Dan Keenan defeated Shanna Chepelsky, 460-302, in an all-Rochester two-game title match Saturday night to capture the 30th NYS Masters Championship at King Pin Lanes in Rome.

The victory is worth $2,000 and a paid entry to the 2021 USBC Masters (plus $200 toward expenses) for Keenan, manager of Jeremiah's Restaurant, while Chepelsky, a paralegal, earned $1,000 in her first NYS Masters appearance.

The tournament, contested on a 41-foot Sport oil pattern specially designed by Kegel, drew 118 bowlers -- 58 on the first squad (due to two late cancellations) and 60 on the second squad.

The top 12 from each squad advanced to the two-game match play finals. It took a five-game total of 1029 to make the cut on the first squad and 1020 to make the cut on the second squad.

CLICK HERE for the qualifiers and match play results.

Keenan, winner of the 2015 Super Bud Bowl and the 2014 Rochester NY USBC Masters, advanced to the championship match by defeating Dave Jecko of Whitesboro, 412-385, while Chepelsky made to the final round with a 411-401 victory over Steve Wagoner of Broadalbin, coming through with the first strike in the 10th frame to prevail.

Jecko and Wagoner each earned $450 for reaching the semifinals.

In the title match, Keenan found the line right away and posted a 269 game, while Chepelsky was victimized by four splits en route to a146 game.

Keenan said the key to his success was staying in the moment and trying not to look to far ahead.

“(In tournaments with) long formats, I love them,” Keenan said. “It’s a grind and you have to stay focused. You can’t get ahead of yourself. You can’t think what’s going to happen in three games. You have to stay focused especially when they’re as hard as they are.”

Using a couple of DVD Verge bowling balls (after going with the Radical Squatch Pearl in the qualifying round), Keenan posted match play victories over Doug Stoddard of Utica, Kevin Smith of North Syracuse, Matt Fazzone of Rotterdam and Jecko before facing Chepelsky.

“Every match is tough against the caliber of bowlers in the field, but to beat Matt Fazzone, probably the best left-hander in the Albany area, and Dave Jecko, the hottest bowler in New York State coming off the Syracuse (Post Standard) Masters’ win (was especially difficult),” he said. “And then against Shanna, I expected to have to shoot 250-250 because she’s really tough.”

Keenan qualified off the second squad with a 1,045 total, but ran into some real problems early.

“They (lane conditions) were really hard. After the first game, I went to 25-26 and had a six-strike 144 game,” he said. “After that I had to give myself a little pep talk. I was fortunate enough in the next game to shoot 267 and get myself back into the number. From there, stay focused and take it one shot at a time.”

As far as winning the NYS Masters, he said, “It’s one I’ve always wanted to add to the resume, and I’m very happy to be able to do it.”

Chepelsky said she’s encouraged by her overall performance and will use the experience to help her down the road.

“Being that this was my first New York State Masters, I just wanted to come in with an open mind and try to read the lanes and execute shots the best I could,” she said.

“I had a really good look in the morning (she qualified off the first squad with a 1,043) and then during match play it was a totally different ballgame. I just took one shot at a time and fortunately had some breaks go my way. I ran into a buzz saw in the finals, so I really can’t be too upset about it.”

In her semifinal match, she said she felt confident going into the 10th frame with an opportunity to win.

“I really like being in a position where I can step up in the 10th frame and win a match,” she said. “It makes it real easy for me to go through my pre-shot routine and just let my muscle memory take over and do what my body knows what it needs to do.”

Chepelsky said she plans to bowl on the Professional Women’s Bowling Association tour this spring, with the USBC Queens in May as her first event, and also will be entering the NYS Queens Championship on April 18 at Flamingo Bowl in Liverpool.

The high game of the tournament was a 297 rolled by Adrian Hollister of Whitehall in the fifth game of the 12:30 p.m. qualifying round.

The NYS USBC wishes to thank management and staff at King Pin Lanes and the Rome NY USBC association volunteers for their input in making the tournament a smooth and successful event.

-- Story by Mike Pettinella, NYS USBC association manager.

MASTERS FINAL FOUR: Semifinalists at Saturday's NYS Masters, from left, Dan Keenan, Dave Jecko, Steve Wagoner and Shanna Chepelsky.

ON-LANE INSTRUCTION: Tom Fluker of Batavia, USBC Silver Level coach, shares some knowledge at a USA Bowling coaching seminar at Tonawanda Bowling Center on Tuesday, March 10. The NYS USBC is offering three more clinics (see the schedule below).

USA Bowling Coaching Seminars Scheduled

The New York State USBC's Youth Education Services Committee, in conjunction with IBC Youth, is sponsoring free USA Bowling coaching seminars in March and April.

The seminars are as follows:

-- Doug Kent's Rose Bowl Lanes, 725 W. Miller St., Newark, 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 11.

-- Rab's Country Lanes, 1600 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 19.

All attendees are provided materials to take home and will be given the opportunity to receive a complimentary online Level 1 course and certification exam (a $49 value). The seminars are open to parents, volunteers, proprietors and coaches -- anyone wishing to be able to provide instruction to bowlers, young and old.

Class size is limited. Register at www.bowl.com/usacoachingschedule. For questions, contact USA Bowling at usabowling@ibcyouth.com or call 817-385-8340.

Deadline to Send Delegates
to Annual Meeting Extended to Feb. 15

JANUARY 31, 2020 -- Attention local association presidents and managers -- the deadline to send delegates to the New York State USBC Annual Meeting has been extended to February 15.

Association officials who have yet to respond may do so by contacting Mike Pettinella, NYS USBC association manager, at bowlny300@yahoo.com

The 9th Annual Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, June 6 at the Holiday Inn Binghamton Arena, 2-8 Hawley St., Binghamton, NY 13901.

The Annual Meeting will begin at 1 p.m., and will be preceded by a Memorial Service at 12:30 p.m.

The Holiday Inn also will host the NYS USBC board of directors meeting on Friday, June 5, and the Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner on the evening of June 6.

The hotel’s phone number is 607-722-1212. Room rate for NYS USBC delegates and guests is $119 plus taxes. The Hall of Fame dinner information will be announced in the near future.

All registered delegates will have voice and voting privileges at the Annual Meeting.

Positions up for election in 2020 are as follows:

-- Vice President (see resume form for specific qualifications).

-- Three Adult Directors.

-- Two Youth Directors.

Potential candidates must send a copy of the resume form to the Nominating Committee chair – Janet Moro, 102 Wickson Rd., Syracuse, NY 13219, by Jan. 15, 2020.

For qualifications, please refer to Article 5, Section B of the NYS USBC Bylaws, which can be found on the About Us page of this website.

Delegates at the Annual Meeting also will elect the NYS delegate and alternate to the 2021 USBC Annual Meeting.

Seven to be Inducted
into NYS Hall of Fame

JANUARY 3, 2020 – The New York State USBC's Awards Committee has announced its selections for induction into the New York State USBC Hall of Fame for 2020.

In the Superior Performance category, Jerry Brunette Jr. (Rochester NY USBC), George Barnes  (Greater Buffalo USBC) and Becky Ripic (Southern Tier USBC) will be enshrined, and in the Meritorious Service category, Dennis O’Donnell (Auburn USBC), Kevin Martin (Rochester NY USBC), Barbara Rake (Southern Tier USBC) and Rosa Moro (Central NY USBC) will be inducted.

Stephen Fawcett (Schenectady USBC) will receive the Service to Youth Award.

The Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner is scheduled for the evening of June 6, 2020, at The Holiday Inn in Binghamton, following the NYS USBC Annual Meeting.

CLICK HERE for a Hall of Fame dinner order form.

Brunette Jr. built an impressive resume that includes a New York State Masters title (1995), three Rochester Masters titles, more than 50 singles tournament victories and top 10 finishes in the 2016 USBC Senior Masters and 2017 PBA50 National Doubles.

The left-hander holds Rochester city records with a 250 Standard average in 2008 and a 227 Sport league average is 2008-09, both at Sunset Lanes. All told, he has more than 60 300 games and 40 800 series, including a 300-836 on a Sport condition – earning him a crystal pin from the USBC.

A resident of Florida for the past couple years, Brunette won two gold and two silver medals at the Empire State Games in 2006 and finished 11th in All-Events at the USBC Open Championships in 2007. He has a lofty 231 average in league play since 1999. He was inducted into the Rochester NY USBC Hall of Fame in 2010.

Barnes, a member of the Greater Buffalo USBC since 1954, was a regular participant in the NYS Open Championships for five decades through the early 1990s – with three NYS titles to his credit -- and continues to hold a 190 average in league play at the age of 82.

A top Buffalo Classic League bowler from the 1960s-1980s, Barnes was a member of the first-place team in the 1969 NYS Open Championships (in both handicap and scratch divisions) and won the 1975 doubles crow with partner Bill Hohensee.

Nationally, his Suburban Lanes All-Star team placed eighth at the ABC Championships in Syracuse in 1973. He has bowled in 56 ABC/USBC national tournaments and is tied for 51st place on the participation list and 34th place on the pin fall list.

Local awards include numerous top 10 finishes in the association tournament, including second place in scratch singles and all-events in 1975. A longtime local director and member of the Greater Buffalo USBC Hall of Fame, Barnes has two 300 games, a high series of 785 (1998) and high average of 213 (2004).

Ripic has performed consistently well in NYS Women’s Championships competition since the early 1990s, cashing numerous times in all of the events and claiming a team title with the Laurel I team in 2013 in Albany.

Holder of two 800 series, eight perfect games and five 299 games, she has been the Southern Tier USBC “Bowler of the Year” three times and averaged 227 in 2007-08. 

Ripic also has earned national recognition as a member of the Ripic's Pro Shop team that combined for a 2,378 scratch score on March 5, 2019 at Midway Lanes in Vestal. She rolled a 791 series during that league session and helped the trio place first in the 2-men, 1-woman team series category on the USBC National Team Score recognition list for the 2018-19 season.

O'Donnell has been a major contributor to the success of organized bowling in New York State over the past 11 years, serving on the Board of Directors in various capacities, including his current position as Sergeant-at-Arms.

The former president of the Auburn USBC (2001-02, 2008-12), he became a director of the Empire State USBC upon its inception in 2009, and continued on as a director on the NYS USBC board. He currently chairs the Awards Committee (but had no input into his selection as a Hall of Famer) and also serves on the Finance, Tournament and Conflict Resolution committees.

Additionally, he has assisted at several NYS USBC tournaments, either as a tournament director or in running the brackets.

O'Donnell started two major events in the Auburn area -- the bowl & golf and Senior Masters tournaments - and is the secretary of the Bill Stanley Memorial League. An Auburn USBC Hall of Famer and member for 56 years, he has eight 800 series and 17 300 games.

Martin, owner of Parkview Bowl in Rochester, has been a strong supporter of NYS USBC and Rochester NY USBC tournament bowling since the early 1980s, regularly organizing large groups to participate.

A youth bowling coach and former Empire State Games coach, he has donated his time and lanes to the development of high school programs and supports various charitable causes as both a director and sponsor. His fundraising efforts have benefited organizations such as the American Diabetes Association, ARC and Bowlers to Veterans Link.

Martin’s commitment to tournament bowling has had a positive impact upon Rochester association events, and his annual memorial tournament for bowlers 60-and-over has developed a strong following. An avid bowler, he has a high game of 300, high series of 778 and high average of 203, and placed third in the NYS Open doubles in 1985.

Rake has been active on the national and state level as a member and officer of the Women’s 600 Club for more than 20 years, having served as club chairman, sergeant-at-arms, nominating committee chair. Additionally, she has bowled in the USBC Women’s Championships and NYS Women’s Championships for 33 years.

A local association hall of famer, Rake served on the transition committee to merge the former Binghamton-Johnson City – Endicott (B-JC-E) WBA with the men’s association to form the Southern Tier USBC, and has served the B-JC-E and Southern Tier USBC as an director and officer for over 30 years.

Moro has been a consistent participant in NYS Women’s and Queens Championships and Syracuse (now Central NY USBC) tournaments for the past 40-plus years, promoting the tournaments by enlisting new bowlers and providing on-lane instruction and advice.

She has contributed greatly to the sport not only as a tournament promoter, but also through her expertise at crafting distinct plaques, trophies and memorabilia for bowlers and other sport competitors.

On the lanes, she has averaged consistently in the 190s, and has had several top finishes in both the NYS Women’s and Queens events.

Fawcett has been a dedicated youth league and tournament organizer, director and coach in the Schenectady area for three decades, and his hard work and commitment have had a profound, positive effect on hundreds of youth bowlers.

Currently, he serves as treasurer for the local travel youth league and coach of the Sportsman Bowl girls’ teams, helps prepare a few of the girls to compete in the U12 Junior Gold Championships, and facilitates the awarding of scholarship money for bowlers in the travel league in the Capital District.

Fawcett also has been instrumental in raising more than $150,000 in scholarships through the youth tournament that he started – the Capital District Youth Scholarship Tour, which also sends 40 to 50 young bowlers to Junior Gold every year (an event that he attends annually at his expense).

At the state level, Fawcett, a NYS USBC regional tournament manager, takes a lead role in promoting and directing state youth tournaments and programs, including the NYS Youth Leaders.

Scholarship Opportunities Abound
NYS USBC to Award
$15,250 for 2019-20

CLICK HERE for a one-pager about the scholastic awards.

For more information, scroll over the Youth tab and click on the Youth Scholarships tab.