Rasnic to be first bowler in CJ hall
It wasn’t the first time Curtiss Rasnic Jr. was surprised by a bowling honor.
The former two-sport athlete will be inducted into the Chaminade Julienne athletic hall of fame in February for his success on the lanes as well as on the baseball field. He is the first CJ bowler to earn the distinction.
“My parents nominated me without me knowing, so when I got the phone call, it was the first I heard of it,” Rasnic said. “But Mike told me I was a unanimous choice, so that felt really good.”
Mike Raiff was one of the CJ baseball coaches.
On the lanes, Rasnic was a four-year letterman who helped CJ win three consecutive GCL championships from 2004-07. He was a three-time conference bowler of the year. Rasnic also posted the league’s high average during the 2004-05 (210), 2005-06 (209) and 200607 (218) seasons.
He posted his first 300 game as a sophomore. Later that season came another bowling surprise — a state championship. The Eagles were competing at state as a team and Rasnic rolled a 763 series — including a 290 game — which earned him the individual title.
“I didn’t know there was an individual award, I was just bowling for the team,” he said. “So when my coach told me I won state, I was shocked.”
In baseball, Rasnic was a four-year letter winner, CJ pitcher of the year (2004) and first-team AllGCL (2007).
Baseball did some damage to his shoulder, and his pitching career at Urbana University ended before it began. But bowling was still possible as he went on to compete for four years at Wright State.
“It never bothered me when I bowled, it was a different motion,” he said. “Which was a good thing because I don’t know what I would have done if I had to give up both sports. I probably would have tried bowling left-handed.”
Bowling is still a passion for the 28-year-old Riverside resident. He and his dad, Curt Rasnic, recently won their second scratch city doubles title in the past four years with a 1,550. He has been averaging 230 and 245 this season in his two leagues.