Two champs crowned by Springfield Clark County USBC
The third time was the charm for Tanner Spencer.
After losing twice to Bobby Gross Jr. in the Springfield Clark County United States Bowling Congress Masters Tournament, Spencer got another shot. This time, it was for the title.
“He beat me in the first round of match play and then right before stepladder,” Spencer said.
But when it counted most, Spencer came out on top, beating the tournament’s top qualifier, 217-167, to win his first Masters title last Sunday at Northridge Lanes.
“It’s a tournament I have always wanted to win,” the 28-year-old said. “Bobby bowled amazing, but I just had a better look at the end.”
Bowling is a family affair for Spencer, whose dad, Toby, was also in the hunt for the Masters title after qualifying to the stepladder
finals. Toby Spencer finished fourth.
“It would have been fun to face him in the stepladder,” Tanner said of his dad. “Especially after he beat me in round robin.”
Bowling with his dad brought Spencer back to the lanes this season. While bowling has been a part of
his life since childhood, the Masters champion had not been bowling much over the past three years. When a spot opened up on his dad’s team, there was little hesitation.
“I missed it and having a chance to bowl with my dad was big,” Spencer said.
With this win under his belt, the Yellow Springs
bowler has his sights set on success in a PBA Regional tournament.
“I bowled in a couple regionals over the summer, that’s something I’d really like to win some day,” he said.
While Spencer was a firsttime champion, Springfield Clark County USBC Queens champion Dana Knoop made it two in a row Sunday at Northridge Lanes. The top-seeded 22-year-old beat Raven Cooper, 249-222, for the title.
Knoop was the one to beat as she led after the first day of qualifying and was the No. 1 seed in the stepladder finals. Her form and footwork were solid as she averaged 236 for the tournament.
“I can’t even do that on my house shot,” she said, smiling.
Scratch tournaments are where Knoop shines and the tougher the competition the better. “I even bowl in a men’s scratch league,” she said.
Her next bowling challenge is the Ohio State USBC Queens Tournament in Lorain this weekend. But the next big challenge for the Sidney resident is motherhood as the two-time Queens champion is due to give birth to her first child in May.