Above 180.com Bowling Podcast

14-time PBA champion Chris Warren joins me to discuss what still drives him to compete at 62 years old. Chris shares his thoughts on the current state of bowling, from youth bowling to the PBA50 Tour, and talks about the challenges bowling proprietors are facing across the country. We also dive into the ongoing urethane debate and why it's still one of the hottest topics in the sport. Chris also breaks down the recently released USBC Open Championships oil patterns and shares what he believes the USBC should do moving forward when it comes to the patterns for bowlers returning to the tournament.

Today on the show, I'm joined by PBA star Tom Smallwood, the current leader in the Regular Division at the USBC Open Championships in Reno. Tom breaks down what went right during his tournament run, his mindset heading into the event, and how his team approached the lane conditions to put together an impressive performance. He also discusses what clicked during singles competition that led to his outstanding 836 series and what it takes to stay locked in on one of bowling's biggest stages. In addition, Tom shares his thoughts on the latest equipment from MOTIV Bowling, discusses the USBC's decision to create three separate competition divisions, and explains why he hasn't traditionally been a regular participant at the Open Championships. Finally, Tom talks about the importance of teamwork, information sharing, and making the right adjustments throughout the week—factors he believes are critical for success in Reno. Don't miss this in-depth conversation with one of bowling's top professionals as he reflects on a remarkable performance and what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Del Warren, longtime Head Men’s Bowling Coach and Director of Bowling at Webber International University, joins the podcast to reflect on building the program since its start in 2008–09 and why now was the right time to step down. Del also discusses the growth of Webber bowling, what could be next for him, and shares some of his favorite memories from coaching.

I catch up with five-time USBC Eagle winner Matt Mcniel to talk about his trip to Reno for the USBC Open Championships. Matt breaks down this year’s team pattern, why he believes it’s very similar to last year’s, and what bowlers should expect when they hit the lanes. Matt and Storm Products 1 Team put together a strong performance, posting a 3151 team score, while Matt himself rolled an impressive 1961 across all nine games. We also dive into the doubles and singles patterns, with Matt sharing key insights for bowlers heading to Reno this year—including why using too much surface might not be the best approach for most players.

Joining me on the podcast today is Chris VanAkkeren. Chris and his Nicholas J's Pro Shop team rolled an impressive 3250 team series at the USBC Open Championships in Reno. Chris breaks down the team’s game plan and preparation heading into the tournament, what they saw once they got on the lanes in Reno, and how they adjusted as the event unfolded. He also explains one key factor he believes many bowlers are overlooking this year, and dives into the major differences between this year’s pattern and last year’s conditions. Chris also shares what equipment he had in his bag, why those choices mattered, and what—if anything—he would do differently if he had the chance to bowl the tournament again.