Greater Dayton United States Bowling Congress crowns champs

Debbie Juniewicz

Three challenging tournaments in three different bowling centers – consistency counts when it comes to all-events titles.

Jessica Hatcher, Brad Bridges and Curtiss Rasnic Jr. know that firsthand as they are the winners of the Greater Dayton United States Bowling Congress all-events titles for the 2019-20 season.

Jessica Hatcher

The 35-year-old tallied two all-events titles, winning both the scratch (2,170) and handicap (2,233) women’s divisions.

“It’s definitely a confidence booster,” she said.

Hatcher – who came up through the youth, high school and collegiate ranks – is no stranger to bowling in a wide variety of centers.

“Some people are comfortable in their comfort zone, I’m comfortable being uncomfortable,” she said. “As a bowler, I’ve worked really hard to travel to a lot of centers and experience a lot of different lane conditions.”

That came in handy as the GDUSBC tournaments were contested at Beaver-Vu Bowl, Capri and Royal Z lanes.

As a wife and mother of two with a full-time job, Hatcher knows all about priorities. That perspective has been invaluable on the lanes.

“I’m not as focused on outcomes as I used to be,” she said. “I’ve worked on being more in the moment, present and aware.”

That mindset has paid off as Hatcher also won the singles scratch title.

Brad Bridges

Work frequently gets in the way of play, which makes this win all the more meaningful for the 45-year-old.

The Brunswick marketing specialist spends plenty of time around the game, but not much time playing the game.

“If I get in three games a weekend, it’s a good weekend for me,” he said. “On Friday night, my book average is terrible but I’m able to socialize and have fun and that’s even better.”

Bridges’ 2,199 earned him the open handicap title, his first career all-events title.

“Going into singles, I knew I needed a 660 or 670 and I ended up over 700 so it was a good day,” he said.

With such tough competition in the Dayton area, Bridges admits that getting older might be nice as he will be a “senior” in just five years.

“It doesn’t get any easier, but it will be nice to have a fresh start in a new division,” he said, smiling.

Bowling

Curtiss Rasnic Jr.

“To me, all-events feels like the hardest one to win because you’re never in the same place,” Rasnic said. “And there are so many good bowlers in the area, it’s never easy.”

The 30-year-old has now won the city all-events title twice with a first-place finish in the open scratch division with a 2,229.

While it’s an accomplishment Rasnic values, it’s not the tournament win he most appreciates.

“I’ve had two doubles titles with my dad and you really can’t beat that,” he said. “I like to share success with other people.”