ALLENTOWN: Redbirds’ Russo wins CJ I bowling

Winters 19th at girls tourney

By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
   Matt Russo and Corrine Winters made a big impression in their sectional and state bowling tournaments.
   All the Allentown High School student-athletes needed was the chance to do so.
   ”We knew what we wanted to do,” Winters said, “but weren’t sure it would work with the budget and everything. Allentown didn’t have a team or a coach, so we didn’t know if anyone would be able to step up and take care of that.”
   An unlikely source, Upper Freehold Regional superintendent Dr. Dick Fitzpatrick, stepped forward to make it possible for Winters and Russo to represent the Redbirds, which they did splendidly. Fitzpatrick took no fee to serve as the coach for the Allentown duo. A coach is required for each state tournament participant.
   ”I didn’t know much about bowling other than the birthday parties I had with my kids,” Dr. Fitzpatrick said. “I know a lot more about it now. I had a lot of fun.”
   Winters, a sophomore at Allentown, placed 19th in the girls Central Jersey sectional with a three-game series of 525, just missing one of the top 15 spots to earn a berth in the Tournament of Champions.
   ”It’s always a good experience to be in these tournaments,” Winters said. “You get the experience of being around these other bowlers. I was a little nervous. You’re nervous with anything that’s new and you haven’t done before. Once I started bowling, it was fine.
   ”I was a little disappointed. My first two games were good and if I had bowled the same in the third, I could have gotten in.”
   Russo, a freshman at Allentown, won the boys CJ sectional with a three-game series of 751. It was two pins better than Cody Smith of Edison, and 19 better than third-place finisher Jonah Burger of Monroe.
   ”That day I went in with a clear mind, just throw good shots, keep the ball on line and get all my spares,” Russo said. “To win sectionals and get the second highest series in the state, it was something I wanted to accomplish. I felt pretty good being a freshman after what I did.”
   Russo went on to finish 10th in the state at the Tournament of Champions last Wednesday. He would have been content just to make the cut in his first year at states.
   ”Finishing in 10th, there’s nothing more I could ask for,” Russo said. “Representing Allentown and representing Millstone, and my family and friends, it was a great honor for me.”
   Winters and Russo weren’t sure they would get the opportunity to bowl because Allentown does not have a team, but they were permitted to bowl in the sectional and state tournaments as long as they could find a coach. Winters’ father approached AHS in November about the chance for his daughter to bowl. In the coming months, the Redbirds tried to find a way to make sure they could bowl. The final piece was having Dr. Fitzpatrick step in.
   ”Mr. Winters became very interested about this opportunity for the kids,” Dr. Fitzpatrick said. “He ended up following Matt as well. He was with me in states. All of this came about because he came forward. I wouldn’t know they had this talent.”
   Both Winters and Russo have been bowling since they were young kids. Winters has been bowling for eight years and has a 185 average. She was a little off her average at sectionals, but valued the trip and looks forward to returning next year.
   ”Knowing how the lanes work will help,” Winters said. “Each bowling alley has a different kind of lane. I was expecting them to be a little different than they were. I’ll know that, and I can go there and practice a little more. I only practiced once there this year.”
   Winters still threw two good games to start sectionals. She’s hoping to sustain that effort for a third game next year and a first trip to the Tournament of Champions.
   ”The next time, I just need to bowl like that,” Winters said. “It’s within the realm of possibilities for me to get in the next time.”
   Russo first picked up a ball at age 3, and he still bowls with the same style of the youngest bowlers.
   ”I use two hands,” Russo said. “I’m not like the normal guys that are out there throwing with one hand. Two-handed bowling has evolved from Jason Belmonte of Australia (the 2009 Professional Bowlers Association Rookie of the Year).
   ”I didn’t know I was going to be two-handed. I’d use two hands. I’ve developed this style and never changed. There’s a joke that I’m a two-handed cheater. I’ve progressed. I’ve gotten so good and accurate with it that I’ve never had to change.”
   Russo has been bowling competitively since he was 10, and he has seven perfect 300 games to his credit, his last coming Apr. 18, 2011. He bowls four to five days per week, and has a 207 average this year, down slightly from last year’s 216. He’s established himself as one of the top bowlers in New Jersey.
   ”I have a lot of tricks in my pocket that some people can’t do,” Russo said. “I used a few of them, I did what I had to do.”
   Russo is bowling this week in the U.S. Open, a major PBA championship that is being hosted by the Brunswick Zone-Carolier in North Brunswick. Russo, who is 15, is coached by PBA pro John Furey, but is still three years away from being able to join the PBA tour. He bowls on the New Jersey Junior Gold, a group that runs tournaments and will send representatives to the Northpoint Junior Gold Championships in Indianapolis this July. Russo was one of the representatives last year, and he has already clinched a spot for this July.
   ”I went to Vegas last year,” Russo said. “I bowled pretty well. This year, I have a spot. I’m going to Indianapolis to represent New Jersey.”
   Russo’s game has grown each year as he’s gotten more serious about bowling. Placing 10th at states is among his young career highlights.
   ”States is definitely a pretty big honor for me,” Russo said. “It’s something I want to do every year. It’s the U.S. Open, then Indianapolis, then Team USA trials, then states.”
   Getting the chance to add the Tournament of Champions to their schedules was something special for Matt Russo and Corrine Winters. And Allentown was certainly thrilled to claim them.
   ”I was so proud of these kids,” Fitzpatrick said. “They went there in their first time in this situation and did their best. I was proud of them.
   ”I’ve been doing this for 43 years. Any time we can help an individual, we will.”