Season Opener!

Your Fresno State Bulldog Bowlers began their 2023-2024 season the weekend of November 4 & 5 at Rancho Bowl in Santa Maria, CA

The tournaments were hosted by the Cal Poly Bowling Club.

Our first tournament was the SLO Rollers Tournament and it was competed on the 42' PBA Viper pattern. Saturday’s competition saw the Bulldog Varsity team earn their first victory of the young season by 175 pins over UC Davis. The Bulldog Junior Varsity team finished 3rd behind champion ASU and 2nd place finisher SJSU.

Individually, the team was led by junior Spencer Norvell (222 average) who ended up 2nd overall individually. Congrats to UCD's Jason Gee who won the individual by averaging an amazing 252 and shooting a 300 game. Finishing 3rd individually was Fresno State sophomore Vincent Luong (219 average) and making into his 1st top 10 was senior Max Leval (7th- 202 average). Only nine players averaged over 200 in the first tournament and three of them were Bulldogs!!

Unfortunately, Sunday's Slo Town Showdown did not go as well for the Bulldogs. The tournament saw ASU claimed its first win of the season and UCD again finished 2nd. Fresno State would follow its first tournament win with a 3rd place finish. Once again the Junior Varsity team finished 3rd behind ASU and SJSU.

In the second tournament, the Bulldogs were once again led by senior Spencer Norvell who finished 7th overall on the strength of a 300 game in game 4. Sophomore Neil Weinstein also had a strong second tournament finishing a respectable 10th place while averaging 193. The Don Johnson oil pattern proved challenging as only 8 players were able to average over 200.

The JV was lead by Miguel Acosta who average 196 for his 6 games bowled. Hailey Boudakian also shot her highest game in college at 236!

(In game 5 of the second tournament, Sophomore Vincent Luong made violent contact with his left ankle during a shot attempt. I've seen ankle's hit many times before and done it myself more times than I want to remember but, I had never seen a player actually take his leg out from under him during a delivery. This of course ended Vincent's competition and only time will tell if he will be able to compete in our next event in Southern California in two weeks.)

What were they throwing you ask?

Spencer Norvell- Hammer Envy Solid (300), Hammer Purple Hammer and Brunswick Quantum Evo Response

Vincent Luong- Brunswick Mindset, Brunswick Infinity, Dv8 Damn Good Verge Solid and Track Kinetic Black Ice

Max Leval- Brunswick Knockout Bruiser, Brunswick Defender Hybrid, and Hammer Purple Hammer

Miguel Acosta- Hammer Black Widow Ghost, Hammer Raw and Purple Hammer.

Neil Weinstein- Brunswick Rhino Pro Teal, Brunswick Quantum Evo Response and Purple Hammer.

Thank you’s go out to the Norvell's, Smith's, Boudakian's and Luong's who were all there to lend their support to our team! The snacks, Gatorade’s, waters, etc. are greatly appreciated by the players and coaches! Lastly, a huge thank you to the Weinstein's who covered the team's dinner Saturday night! Oops, I wasn't done, a big thank you to Steven Norvell for live streaming much of the weekends action to Facebook.

I also want to recognize and thank assistant coach Riely Chin (2nd year), Travis Beasley (5th year), Kevin Kwok (9th year assisting and 1st year coaching), and Ivan Miyasato (2nd year) for helping to prepare this bunch for competition. Finally, we couldn't do this without the support of our sponsors Brunswick, VISE and new sponsor Genesis. Thank you for continuing to believe in our program.

Next up for the Bulldogs is the Oak Tree Lanes Invite and the Floria Financial Invite 11/18-11/19/23 in Diamond Bar, California!