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Bowling: Labella’s 813 holds after final weekend of qualifying in New Year Singles Classic

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By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click here for full story

Click here for Tournament Details

Pete Labella’s 813 held up after the final weekend of qualifying in the 46th New Year Singles Classic at Rab’s Country Lanes.

Labella, who fired his big set on the tourney’s opening weekend nine days ago, will lead a star-studded 24-man field into Saturday’s finals set for 1 p.m. at Country.

Defending champ Steve Soss, who won in 2020, is second with an 812 followed by Chris McNichol (811) and Mike McNichol (790).

Joining them will be Island stalwarts Tim McAuliffe and his brother, Sean, Dan Dunleavy, Jeff Scire, Mike Endress and George Cretella, who has won this tournament six times. There’s also a handful of other scratch bowlers in the scratch finals capable of winning.

The cut to crack into the Top 24 was Mike Vignola’s 693.

46th NEW YEAR SINGLES CLASSIC
FINALISTS

BOWLER NET HCP GROSS

  • Pete Labella Jr. 813 0 813 *
  • Steve Soss 812 0 812 *
  • Chris McNichol 811 0 811 *
  • Mike McNichol 790 0 790*
  • Tim McAuliffe 786 0 786 *
  • Najee Mayers 768 0 768*
  • Anthony Arias 760 0 760*
  • Pierce Field 760 0 760*
  • Robert Butler 753 0 753 *
  • Jeff Martin 751 0 751
  • Sean McAuliffe 743 0 743 *
  • Dan Dunleavy 743 0 743 *
  • Mike Gordon 714 27 741
  • Jeff Scire 740 0 740 *
  • Alby Pezzella 735 0 735 *
  • John Drybznk 720 10 730
  • George Cretella 726 0 726 *
  • Frank Maloney 688 35 723
  • Scott Walsh 699 21 720
  • Mike Endress 719 0 719
  • Don Pendelton 695 18 713
  • Mike Vlassenko 699 12 711
  • Russ Moran 617 84 701 *
  • Mike Vignola 656 37 693 *

* denotes squad leader

Averages will be verified for accurate handicaps

Bowling: Peter Labella Jr. storms into New Year Singles Classic qualifying lead

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By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click here for the Full Story

Peter Labella Jr. knocked over 813 pins scratch to storm into the opening-round lead of Jim Elliott’s 46th New Year Singles Classic over the weekend at Rab’s Country Lanes.

Bowlers took the lanes in the tournament for the first time in two years as the pandemic canceled last year’s event.

Right behind Labella is Steve Soos, the 2020 tourney champ, who felled 812 pins, including a perfect game.

Michael McNichol (790) rounds out the top 3.

George Cretella, the all-time New Year Singles Classic champ with six crowns, finds himself in the top eight with a 726 pinfall.

Alby Pezzello, who is positioned right above Cretella with a 735 set, also fired a 300.

Qualifying continues on Jan. 15 and concludes on Jan. 16. Squad times are set for 1 and 2:30 p.m. each day. The finals are set for Jan. 22.

The standings after the first weekend of qualifying

Bowler Net Hdcp Gross

  1. Pete Labella Jr. 813 0 813
  2. Steve Soos 812 0 812
  3. Michael McNichol 790 0 790
  4. Najee Mayers 768 0 768
  5. Dan Dunleavy 743 0 743
  6. Alby Pezzello 735 0 735
  7. George Cretella 726 0 726
  8. Russell Moran 617 84 701

***Cut for Non squad leaders scores not seeded is 718

300 GAMES: Steve Soos and Alby Pezello

Click here for Tournament Details, including the full current standings

New Year’s Eve bowling tradition at Rab’s Country Lanes a smashing success again

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St. Joseph by-the-Sea, the Alumni division winning squad, consisting of Kevin Buono, Anthony Pizzirusso, Robert Butler and Mike Cariffe, is flanked by current and former team coaches Melissa Kammerer and Raymond Laursen, Sr. and tournament director Mike Ruffe.

By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click here for the Full Story

Rab’s Country Lanes proprietor Frank Wilkinson loves New Year’s Eve for more reasons than one.

Although the day marks the end of one year and gets set to usher in another with high hopes, Wilkinson says Dec. 31 is special because it’s the day his center hosts the Battle of the Schools.

Started in 2004 as a brainchild of Terri Hart, the one-time high school-only tournament added an Alumni division four years ago thanks to the urging of Mike Ruffe. The latter division seemed to give the event new meaning and make it more successful than ever.

“We talk about it every year. We didn’t know what to expect and then 100 people showed up,” said Wilkinson. “It’s one of those events where you see people that you don’t normally see everyday all the time, that kind of come out for the same thing and I think the cool thing about it that makes this a great event is the fact that they’re not bowling for personal gain and not bowling for prizes for themselves.

“It’s more about bragging rights, representing your school in bowling with people you wouldn’t necessarily normally bowl with the opportunity to win some money for your alma mater.”

This year at the 18th annual event, more than 125 bowlers graced the lanes in the two divisions.

When the final ball had been rolled on Friday, Susan Wagner, consisting of Paul Cherry, Brandon Handog, Alex Santos and Steven Souffrin, won a second straight HS division title, beating out nine other teams, representing eight Island high schools. The same foursome also helped SW capture the PSAL city bowling crown two months ago.

Meanwhile, the Alumni crown was won by St. Joseph by-the-Sea, consisting of Kevin Buono, Robert Butler, Michael Cariffe and Anthony Pizzirusso. They earned $1,000, which was donated to the Huguenot school’s bowling program.

The Alumni division featured 76 bowlers across 16 teams, representing 20 schools from the five boroughs.

After a 10-game qualifying round (baker format), the top four teams competed for the title in a rolloff where top-seeded Curtis bowled fourth-seeded Sea and and second-seeded Susan Wagner faced third-seeded Petrides.

In the finals, the teams bowled two games with the total wood determining the winners.

In round one, Sea defeated Curtis No. 1, 416-358, while Susan Wagner defeated Petrides, 447-418. In the finals, Sea defeated Susan Wagner, 487-435. SW earned $500 that will go to the Sea View school’s bowling program.

In all, a total of $2,000 was awarded in grants and scholarships with funds matched by the Rab Wilkinson Foundation. Rab Wilkinson was the late former proprietor of Country Lanes.

Alumni Division

Champions: St. Joseph by the Sea High School (Kevin Buono, Robert Butler Michael Cariffe and Anthony Pizzirusso – $1,000)

Runners-up: Susan Wagner (Daniel Costantino, Mike Fiore, Matt Koplowitz, Sean McAuliffe and Tim McAuliffe, Jr. – $500)

High School Division

Champions: Susan Wagner – 1,903 pins (Paul Cherry, Brandon Handog, Alex Santos, and Steven Souffrin

Other event Notes:

  • Amongst the field, 29 athletes were recognized as either Advance All Stars or Staten Island Bowling Hall of Fame Junior All Stars during their HS careers, three of which were four-time recipients (Melissa Kammerer, Erin Schneider and Daniel Costantino)
  • 25 PSAL City Championship Teams were represented.
  • 7 Staten Island Bowling/Staten Island USBC Hall of Famers competed (Jeff Scire, Tim McAuliffe, Naz Laursen, Jim Episcopia, Roe Quattrocchi, Vin D’Ambrosio III and Joe LaBargo)

Women’s Bowling Takes Second-Place At Wagner College Winter Invite

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Wagner College Winter Invite 2021 at Rab's Country Lanes NY

The Wagner College women’s bowling team hosted the Wagner College Winter Invite on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at Rab’s Country Lanes on Staten Island.

It marked the final meet of the first half of the 2021-22 season for the Seahawks, who took second overall out of the three competing schools.

St. Francis Brooklyn took home the team title after posting a 3-1 overall record while tallying 4,344 total pins.

The Seahawks were next with a 2-1 record while knocking down a total of 4,309 pins. St. Thomas Aquinas College wrapped up the three-team field with a total pinfall count of 3,539.

Coach’s Corner – Head Coach Joseph Ambrose

“I am so proud of our team and how we finished as a team and individually. We were only 35 pins out of first-place and I credit that to our group of student-athletes that work so well together and for one another.”

“I could not ask for better captains than Amanda (Medvetz) and Totiana (Miranda) as their leadership, so early in their athletic careers, is vital for our program.” 

“America (Carhart) and Kristina (Colon) earning All-Tournament along with Lauren (Ruth Sarreal) came up in clutch moments all afternoon long.” 

“We continue to grow as a team and get better with each meet we compete in. I believe it is going to be a great second half and I can’t wait.” 

Traditional Match #1 – Wagner 821

  • The Seahawks bowled the first bye of the afternoon, posting a strong total of 821.
  • Sarreal led the way for the Green & White, rolling a 191.
  • Colon was the next top finisher, posting a 171 after stringing together four straight strikes to conclude the first match of the day for the eventual All-Tournament selection.
  • Miranda, bowling anchor, put forth a strong 165.

Traditional Match #2 – Wagner 778, St. Francis Brooklyn 836

  • In the first dual match for the Green & White on the afternoon, it pitted the home team against fellow Northeast Conference (NEC) member, St. Francis Brooklyn.
  • Carhart and Miranda paced Wagner against the Terriers, with Carhart leading the way with a 173. Miranda followed up with a 171.
  • Kimmi D’Ottavio was the top bowler for SFBK, rolling a 190. Laura McConnon was next at 184 while Heather Waters added a 165 in leading the Terriers past the Seahawks for their second win of the day.

Traditional Match #3 – Wagner 929, St. Thomas Aquinas College 714

  • The Seahawks got their first win of the tournament against the Spartans in the third match of the day.
  • Carhart continued to find the pocket early and carried her momentum from the second into this matchup with STAC, leading Wagner with a 215 total from the leadoff spot.
  • Medvetz nearly posted the Seahawks’ second 200-game of the day, finishing at 192.
  • Sarreal and Colon finished at 181 and 175, respectively, while Miranda rolled a 167 in the anchor position.

Traditional Match #4 – Wagner 868

  • For the second time during the competition, the Seahawks bowled in the bye.
  • This time, Wagner improved on their score by 57 pins en route to finishing at 868.
  • Colon was the top-finisher in the fourth match, bowling a 191 while Miranda posted a 175.
  • Carhart (172), Sarreal (171), and Medvetz (159) rounded out the performances as the Seahawks moved on to their fifth and final match, against St. Francis Brooklyn.

Traditional Match #5 – Wagner 913, St. Francis Brooklyn 862

  • In a rematch of match #2, the Seahawks found themselves trailing by 30+ plus before capitalizing on an open frame created by the Terriers.
  • From there, it would be a battle to the end, as the Seahawks were able to withstand the late surge by SFBK in posting the 51-pin victory.
  • Colon posted the Seahawks’ second 200-game of the day, rolling off a 203.
  • Carhart was next at 188 while Medvetz (180), Miranda (176), and Sarreal (166) finished the day.
  • St. Francis Brooklyn was paced by Lexis Ortiz, who finished at 181, followed by Mikayla Ferrara at 180.
  • D’Ottavio was next at 174 followed by Waters (165) and McConnnon (162).

Wagner College Winter Invite All-Tournament…

  • At the conclusion of the meet, where St. Francis Brooklyn was crowned the team winners, the All-Tournament team was announced.
  • SFBK’s Heather Waters was named MVP after tallying a total pinfall of 938 (187.60 average) over the five games.
  • She was one of three Terriers named to the team as McConnon joined her after finishing second overall in total pinfall with 916 (183.20).
  • America Carhart was the first Seahawk announced to the All-Tournament team, after the freshman finished at 891 (178.20 average).
  • Joining her was teammate Kristina Colon, who placed fourth overall with a total pinfall of 878 (175.60).
  • Wrapping up the All-Tournament choices was the Terriers’ Kimmi D’Ottavio, who finished one pin short of Colon at 877 (175.40 average).

Wagner College Winter Invite Averages:

Up Next…
    • Wagner will open up the New Year on January 22-23 as they will host the Seahawks Invite at Rab’s Country Lanes.

13th Annual Staten Island USBC Masters Championship Tournament proved to be lucky for this bowler

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By Staten Island Advance Sports Desk
silive.com | Click Here for the Full Story

Rosebank resident Jeffrey Martin didn’t give himself much of a chance heading into Saturday’s 13th Annual Staten Island USBC Masters Championship Tournament at Rab’s Country Lanes.

After all, the righty had qualified for this event (about five or six years ago) only one other time and placed eighth, and he was going against some of the Island’s top keglers.

In the end, none of that seemed to matter as Martin wound up coming from seventh position following qualifying to win four straight games in the finals to claim the event on a tough lane condition.

In the championship game, Martin defeated Bill Salvatore, 176-172, in a nail-biting, back-and-forth match to earn the $1,100 top prize.

“Yeah, I was definitely surprised (to win) and it just made me feel good that I could compete with the best,” said Martin.

Eight bowlers advanced to the match-play finals, including 2020 champion Jeff Sciré — who was automatically seeded fifth in the finals — and two-time champion Tim McAuliffe Jr.

McAuliffe Jr. led all qualifying with a 1,026 five-game total, the only competitor for the day that averaged above 200 in the qualifying round on the tough 2021 USBC Masters Lane Pattern. McAuliffe also earned himself a $200 squad leader bonus. He remains the only competitor to have won the Masters title multiple times.

Meanwhile, Martin had advanced to the finals with a 947, including games of 164, 148, 206, 186 and a tournament-high 243.

“The conditions were very difficult,” he said. “You had to almost be perfect. You had to hit about one or two boards on the lane. You had to be extremely accurate. I made almost all my spares in match play which kind of carried me.”

Watch: Staten Island University Hospital’s Healthwish – Breast Cancer Awareness & The Rab Wilkinson Foundation

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Watch Rab Wilkinson Foundation Chair Frank Wilkinson sat with Staten Island University Hospital’s Jamie Lynn Homan on the latest episode of Healthwish to talk about some of the history behind Rab’s Country Lanes and why the Rab Wilkinson Foundation continues to be one of the most significant contributors to Breast Cancer Awareness in our community.

​Healthwish is a series of conversations about the state of healthcare in NYC’s fabulous fifth borough, Staten Island. Our goal is to raise issues, raise awareness and raise health. Because when we “Raise Health”, we raise everyone!

Key to NYC: Unlocking Entertainment via COVID-19 Vaccination

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We are committed to continue keeping Rab’s and our Community a safe and enjoyable place for all!

Key to NYC Vaccination Requirement
As of 9/13/21, Entertainment and Dining Establishments, including Rab’s, in NYC require proof of vaccination by all guests ages 12 & Over.

In order to continue providing a safe and healthy environment for all guests, Rab’s and other entertainment venues throughout New York City are subjected to the Key to NYC Vaccination Requirement.

Before proceeding with your reservation and your bowling experience, please make sure all guests in your party have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 Vaccination, and proof with valid ID will be requested upon arrival to Rab’s.

Visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-vaccines-keytonyc.page to learn more about the Key to NYC Program!

Rab’s Country Lanes and SIUH Northwell Health team up for COVID-19 vaccination shots

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The Johnson and Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine was administered at Rab’s Country Lanes, in Dongan Hills. July 23, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez)

By Derek Alvez | alvez@siadvance.com
Silive.com | Click here for the full story

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – William Ford of New Brighton admitted he was stubborn about not getting the COVID-19 vaccine, until Friday night at Rab’s Country Lanes, in Dongan Hills.

“It was time to get it, COVID is serious,” the 46-year old Rab’s employee said. “I heard the hospital was going to be here and it made sense.”

Staten Island University Hospital Northwell Health and Rab’s Country Lanes teamed up, hoping to vaccinate and educate.

William Ford of New Brighton received his Johnson and Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at Rab’s Country Lanes, in Dongan Hills. July 23, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez)

“We’re trying to get creative with COVID vax efforts on Staten Island,” said Christian Preston, Director of Public Relations for SIUH.

“As the Delta spreads in NYC and to address neighborhoods with some of the highest COVID positivity and lowest vaccination rates in the city, we wanted to get the ball rolling on COVID vaccinations at their wildly popular Cosmic Bowling Night.”

Rab’s Country Lanes Frank Wilkinson thought the idea was a perfect score.

“We have a great partnership with SIUH and we do multiple events here (staff league, staff bowling, fundraising, staff outings),” Wilkinson said. “It’s a community venue; and there is a need for the vaccination.”

According to the NYC Dept. of Health, 50 percent of Staten Islanders have been fully vaccinated. Manhattan has the highest rate at 66 percent.

 

15 Island bowlers compete in USBC Junior Gold Championships

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Brianna Mester and Brandon Handog advanced the furthest among the 15 Island competitors in the Junior Gold Championships. (Photos courtesy of the Mester and Handog families)

By Staten Island Advance Sports Desk
silive.com | Click here for the full story

INDIANAPOLIS — Youth bowling’s version of the Little League World Series was contested last week when the USBC Junior Gold Championships were rolled in Indiana.

Staten Island was well represented as 15 Islanders, most hailing from Rab’s Country Lanes, were among the more than 2,900 youth bowlers who competed for titles, spots on the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Junior Team USA 2022 and the largest scholarship prize fund in the event’s history ($502,100).

The 23rd installment of the USBC Junior Gold Championships took place across six bowling centers in the Indianapolis area. The event features top USBC Youth bowlers ages 7 to 18 from around the United States as well as Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. military zones. Each participant qualified to enter by advancing through local USBC Junior Gold qualifying leagues and tournaments.

Competition officially started Monday July 12, with bowlers rolling a total of 16 games in the qualifying rounds before advancing to the Advancer Rounds and Finals which were live-streamed on BowlTV.

While competition came to an end after the Qualifying Round for most, Islanders Brianna Mester and Brandon Handog continued on to the Advancers Round in their respective divisions.

Mester, competing in the U15 Girls division, finished 34th in a field size of 298 girls with a 21-game, 3,743 pinfall, averaging 178.24 for the week. Mester fell shy 57 pins from the Final Advancers Round earning a $250 scholarship prize for her finish.

Handog finished the week in 90th place amongst a field of 868 in the U18 Boys division. He finished with a 4,146, 21-game series, averaging 197.43 for the competition. Handog finished 47 pins shy of the top 64 cutline. Brandon received a $300 scholarship for his performance.

The 2022 event should be stronger and will take place in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Some Staten Island youth bowlers have already started qualifying for the event.

Complete Results below:

Qualifying Round:

U12 Division – Field Size: 93 Girls

GIRLS – 14 Advance to Final Advancers Round (cut: 2451)

74 – Kiara Lombardi 1948

U15 Division – Field Size: 631 Boys / 298 Girls

BOYS – 90 Advance to Advancers Round (cut: 2937)

478 – Joseph Guarnieri 2492

583 – Jeremy Vasquenz 2243

589 – Paul Cherry 2219

GIRLS – 43 Advance to the Final Advancers Round (cut: 2831)

13 – Brianna Mester 2987

U18 Division – Field Size: 868 Boys / 560 Girls

BOYS – 167 Advance to the Advancers Round (cut: 3097)

101 – Brandon Handog 3170 | 198.13 average

784 – Frank Koppie 2686

887 – Steven Souffrin 2632

1009 – Luciano Spagnuolo 2531

1083 – Victor Guastella 2450

1087 – Zachary Lababneh 2441

1124 – Patrick Taverner 2337

1131 – Enrique Rodriguez 2308

GIRLS – 80 Advance to the Advancers Round (cut: 2909)

298 – Maya Avilez 2634

530 – Su Denizer 2212

Advancers Round

U15 Division – Field Size: 298 Girls

28 Advance to the Final Advancers Round (cut: 3800)

34 – Brianna Mester 3743

U18 Division – Field Size: 868 Boys

BOYS – 64 Advance to the Final Advancers Round (cut: 4193)

90 – Brandon Handog 4146

College Signings: Maya Avilez is ready for the next level

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New Dorp senior Maya Avilez is flanked by PBA Hall of Famer and former Staten Island resident Johnny Peraglia and New Jersey State Bowling Hall of Famer Leslie Bohn after signing a National Letter of Intent to attend North Carolina A&T. (Courtesy of New Dorp HS)

By Charlie De Biase Jr. | debiase@siadvance.com
Staten Island Advance | Click here for the full story

It’s July, which means the 2020-21 school year is finally in the rearview mirror.

And some local student-athletes are not only planning to play on the collegiate level beginning in the fall, but will be leaving for their new homes pretty soon.

In the meantime, the Advance/SILive.com will once again share the good news with our readers.

And to boot, College Signings 19 includes various sports. In fact, we’ve got four different sports in this edition, including one on the Division 1 level.

We also have a number of past commitments in recent months at the bottom, including the previous 18 College Signings.

Give another look at them as well, if you wish.

Maya Avilez signed a National Letter of Intent to attend North Carolina A&T on a full women’s bowling scholarship.

The 17-year-old Avilez picked up the game after hitting Rab’s Country Lanes with her grandfather (Dr. Robert Taglianetti, DDS) as a youngster and she’s compiled a pretty impressive resume that led to earning the scholarship to the Division 1 school from Greensboro, N.C.

In fact, she competed on New Dorp’s team for two seasons before missing her senior campaign because of the pandemic. However, she currently competes in two different leagues, including the Parker Bohn III/Johnny Petraglia Scholarship League on Friday nights at Howell (N.J.) Lanes and Rab’s Junior Classic on Saturday mornings. She owns averages of 208 and 214.13, respectively, in the leagues.

Avilez is also the owner of four career 300 games.

Her connection to N.C. A&T came through Leslie Bohn, her personal coach and the wife of Parker Bohn. Leslie Bohn is best friends with the Aggies’ bowling coach and USBC Hall of Famer Kim Terrell-Kearney and that relationship helped get the ball rolling for Avilez.

“(Terrell-Kearney and I) initially exchanged emails and did a Zoom chat and last February, I visited the school,’’ said Avilez. “It took me a few months to make a decision, but ultimately I loved the school when I made the visit and decided it was the best place for me.’’

The right-handed Avilez said Terrell-Kearney was impressed with her power game.

“She definitely likes the way I throw it hard,’’ said the Concord resident. “I have more revs than most girls and it gives me more versatility than other styles of bowling.

“I also think (Terrell-Kearney and her husband, Eric), who is an assistant coach, are the nicest people. I believe they can build my game and support me to become the best bowler I can be.’’

Avilez, who plans to study Secondary Education History, also received interest from Louisiana Tech.