Defending USBC Senior Masters Champion John Janawicz Leads After Qualifying
Las Vegas, Nevada – After starting his major championship title defense on Tuesday with 195, 200 and 213, John Janawicz made a little bit of a technique and equipment change. From that point on he averaged 254.08 over his next 12 games resulting in the top spot after qualifying at the 2024 USBC Senior Masters.
“I was using equipment that was too long and a little too sharp down the lane. After that, I got into a pretty good groove staying with equipment that rolled a little bit earlier,” the 2023 PBA50 Rookie of the Year said. “It was good I was able to bowl well this morning (Thursday), so I feel like I have a pretty good picture of what I need to do on the fresh for match-play.”
Bowling on fresh oil during his final block he used urethane shooting 259, 239, 226, 279 and 279 for an overall total of 3,657. He was able to keep the ball in front of him, which he said seems to be better on this pattern inside Sam’s Town Bowling Center. Playing straighter angles and not trying to cross too many boards was the right strategy for him. He was pleased to see he had good ball motion on the fresh.
“I got some good assurance on that today, so it was nice more than anything,” he said. “It is good to know you are seeing the lane properly, which is pretty important going into match-play.”
At the end of qualifying Thursday, the field was cut down to the top 64 bowlers. There was a tie for 64th place at +271 between Gary Alstott and Josh Hale. They bowled a one-game roll-off and Hale got the final spot, winning 212-200. Pennsylvania resident Scott Kinkaid started his final block with a 300 game and ended up with the highest block of the tournament 1,319 to move into 10th place.
Double-elimination match-play will start at noon Eastern on Friday with the left side of the bracket, followed by the right side of the bracket at 2:30 p.m. All matches are three games with total pins determining the winner.
All winners from both sides of the bracket will bowl at 4:30 p.m. Starting at 7 p.m. will be 32 contenders with the elimination of half the field bowling on fresh oil. Twenty minutes after the conclusion of those matches 16 more players will be eliminated.
“At this stage, a lot of it is managing your own transition and keeping an eye on if your opponent is going to make your ball reaction better or worse. You have to be reactionary and proactive in those regards,” Janawicz said about his mindset heading into match-play.
Match play will continue on Saturday and the stepladder finals will be held on Sunday. You can watch all of the action only on BowlTV.
Top 10 2024 USBC Senior Masters standings
- John Janawicz, 3,657 (+657)
- Jason Couch, 3,605 (+605)
- Dan Knowlton, 3,572 (+572)
- Chris Barnes, 3,511 (+511)
- Brian Dennis, 3,509 (+509)
- Brian LeClair, 3,499 (+499)
- Chris Warren, 3,495 (+495)
- Clay Rees, 3,494 (+494)
- Brad Angelo, 3,489 (+489)
- Scott Kinkaid, 3,434 (+434)