U.S. lefties come up empty in singles at World Men's Championships

8/13/10

By Lucas Wiseman
USBC Communications

RESULTS: Singles

MUNICH, Germany - Team USA left-handers Rhino Page and Patrick Allen finished outside of the cut to the semifinals in singles Friday at the 2010 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Men's Championships.

With three of the five qualifying squads completed, Page was in 31st place with 1,235 for six games, an average of 205.8, while Allen sat in 67th place with 1,172, an average of 195.3. The rest of the Team USA lineup will compete Saturday.

The top four players after the five qualifying squads will advance to Saturday afternoon's semifinals. Finland's Pasi Uotila had the tournament's first perfect game and currently leads with 1,357.

Page had games of 183, 227, 208, 205, 212 and 200 on the medium oil pattern at Dream Bowl Palace. Allen started with 180 and 169 before closing with games of 207, 224, 193 and 199.

"I think we both struggled with our ball reaction and physically," Page said. "I don't want to put words in PA's mouth, but neither one of us were really sharp. The conditions are really demanding and it showed."

With four players yet to compete, Team USA still has medal hopes in the event. Bill O'Neill and Chris Barnes begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting will bowl on the fourth qualifying squad, while Wes Malott and Tommy Jones will compete on the final squad.

The top four players after Friday's three rounds will sit and wait to see if they remain in position to contend for the gold medal. Mexico's Earnest Franco is second, trailing Uotila by four pins. In third is Japan's Nobuhito Fujii with 1,347, while fourth place belongs to Korea's Jang Dong-Chul at 1,346.

The 2010 WTBA World Men's Championships features 356 competitors from 65 countries competing for medals in six events - five-player team, trios, doubles, singles, all-events and Masters match play.

BowlingDigital.com will provide live streaming of the semifinals and finals of each event and coverage can also be viewed live on BOWL.com. The singles semifinals and final are scheduled to begin on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Eastern.

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