In the coming months, we'll talk with some of the best-known bowlers at the USBC Open Championships and get their thoughts on their time at the tournament and what it takes to succeed on the championship lanes.
This week, we heard from former Wichita State University standout Jay Futrell of Derby, Kan., who is scheduled to compete at the 2013 Open Championships on March 22-23.
Futrell burst onto the scene during the 2008 event in Albuquerque, N.M., as he claimed two titles. He helped Team Tilt of Lawrence, Kan., to the Regular Team title with a 3,374 total and went on to capture Regular All-Events with 2,183.
In 10 previous Open Championships appearances, Futrell has a career average of 219.3.
HOMETOWN: Derby, Kan.
OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS APPEARANCES: 11
OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS TITLES: Two (Regular Team and Regular AE in 2008)
BOWLING BALL WEIGHT: 16
FAVORITE BRAND OF BOWLING BALLS: Brunswick
ONE all-time favorite host city: Albuquerque, N.M.
TWO best Open Championships memories: 1. taking the lead in team at the 2008 Open Championships; 2. the last day of the 2008 Open Championships when I knew I won the all-events title and was part of the team title.
THREE keys to success at the Open Championships: 1. confidence; 2. understanding your equipment; 3. great teammates
FOURgettable Open Championships moment: I don't have any.
FIVE bowlers in history on your Open Championships fantasy all-star team: Mark Lewis, Mark Jensen, Rick Steelsmith, Gordon Vadakin and me
SIX bowling balls currently in your Open Championships arsenal: Paranormal Aura, Meanstreak Brawler, Ringer, Nexxxus Pearl, Anaconda, Meanstreak
SEVEN cities you'd like to see the Open Championships go to/return to: Wichita, Kan.; Albuquerque, N.M.; Las Vegas; Dallas; Knoxville, Tenn.; Buffalo, N.Y., someplace in Hawaii
EIGHT favorite bowling balls ever: Teal Rhino Pro; Pearl Sapphire Zone; Firestorm; D2Z Pro Pin; RevolutionIST; Warp Zone; Total Inferno; C-System 2.5
NINE other current/eligible bowlers you would choose to join you on your ideal pair of companion teams at the Open Championships: I would have to say I like who I bowl with now and couldn't imagine bowling with anyone else (Thomas Ault Jr., Russ Wilson, Chris Greene, Joe Keltner, Clara Guerrero, Josh Kubiak, KristalWilson, Samantha How and Scott How).
TEN seconds or less, who is your favorite bowler of all-time?: Amleto Monacelli
ELEVEN strikes in a row to start a game at the Open Championships, what's going through your head?: One more time.
TWELVE years from now, where do you hope to be in your bowling career?: Still competing as much as I can.