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

Mickey Endress set the pace in the opening weekend of qualifying in Jim Elliott’s 49th New Year Singles Classic over the weekend at Rab’s Country Lanes.

Endress, who won the Staten Island Singles Classic in the spring of 2022, fired an 826 series to beat out Justin Arenas (804) and Mike King (792).

Pierce Field (791), Joseph Guarneri (784), Steve Soss (764), Will Kepezensky (701) and Robert Jew (698) also earned berths in the Top 24 finals by winning their respective squads.

Defending champ Jeff Scire (777) was the highest roller not to win a squad and will have to wait to see if his score holds up to make it into the Top 24.

Qualifying concludes next weekend with squads slated for 1 and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The Top 24 finals will be held Jan. 25 at 3 p.m. at Country.

49TH NEW YEAR SINGLES CLASSIC RESULTS OF WEEKEND #1

Squad leaders (seeded to finals)

Mickey Endress 826

Justin Arenas 804

Mike King 792

Pierce Field 791

Joseph Guarneri 784

Steve Soss 764

Will Kepezensky 701

Robert Jew 698

Remaining Unofficial Top 8

Jeff Scire 777

Fred Steinfeld 759

Dawn Lampariello 753

Zach Dobrin 751

Rob Lampariello 750

Chris Riordan 733

3 tied with 725