Bowling: Nance wins big, Aussies come to play

RIO RANCHO — Rio Ranchoan JD Nance picked up his 15th win in the Scratch Match-Play Series bowling tournament at Tenpins & More on Labor Day with a tournament high average of 223.66 over 15 games.

Nance was the top qualifier, going unbeaten in five matches.

According to a news release, Nance won after “firing nine strikes from outside the first arrow for a decisive win over Pete Sheridan, who's errorless 219 would have won almost any other of the 30 matches bowled on the day.”

The staple of the local bowling scene finished ninth the New Mexico Open last month, admitting to Tenpins & More owner Steve Mackie that he “tried too hard to break through for a win.”

This time, however, Nance used "controlled aggression" at delivery to card 228.6 in his five matches, as the whole field struggled to a 182.11 mark over 60 games, according to the release.

RIO RANCHO — Seven Australian bowlers will arrive in the City of Vision next week to compete against seven local bowlers in an “International Challenge” Sept. 14-15 at Tenpins& More.

According to a news release, “The matches will include teams of four and trios as well as male and female singles and Masters events.”

The Rio Rancho bowlers are Isaiah Salinas, Annie Alvarado, Robin Prioleau, Tyler Grier and three family members: Alberto, Mia and Sebastian Medina.

Visitors from Brisbane in Queensland, Australia, include brothers Troy and Luke Howell, Renee Kyte, Izzy Leonard, Austin Saunders, Cruz Craven and Taleah Linton. Their team manager is Joshua Kemp, who played for Australia on the 2012 team in this same series.