Bowling: KR grad Via wins national event; earns Team USA berth

Team USA Men’s Team

Marshall Kent (Team Trials champion)

Chris Via (USBC Amateur Bowling champion)

Kamron Doyle

Andrew Cain

AJ Chapman

Rob Gotchall

Ronnie Russell

John Janawicz

Chris Barnes

Tommy Jones

Sean Rash

John Szczerbinski

Pressure proved to be no problem for Springfield’s Chris Via.

Via – a Kenton Ridge graduate who bowled for Notre Dame College in northern Ohio – had to double in the 10th frame in both the semifinal and championship match at the United States National Amateur Bowling Championships. He did just that, edging out defending Team USA Trials champion Kamron Doyle, 219-212, to clinch the title Jan. 7 in Las Vegas.

“It helped that I had already made Team USA,” Via said. “But I was still definitely nervous. I just knew I needed to dig deep and come up with big shots.”

Via, a member of Junior Team USA in 2011 and 2012, had already earned a coveted Team USA spot after placing third after the 30-game, five-day qualifying rounds at the Team USA Trials.

“We played on five different oil patterns so that was even more challenging,” he said.

More than a week later, it’s still a bit surreal for Via to be among the likes of Chris Barnes, Sean Rash and Tommy Jones.

“It’s a dream come true to be teammates with the best bowlers in the world,” Via said. “I’m looking forward to not only to bowling with them, but learning from them.”

Via’s quest for Team USA began in 2011 when he first qualified to Junior Team USA.

“Spending time on the Junior Team was amazing, and I’ve been wanting this ever since,” he said.

First up will be team training camp and then bowlers will be selected for upcoming tournaments. Beyond Team USA, the 23-year-old has other aspirations, including bowling professionally. Via will compete in his first national PBA event in February in Indianapolis.

“I think it’s becoming a more realistic goal,” Via said of professional bowling. “The more confidence I gain, the more I believe I can do it.”

• Women’s Team: Shannon Pluhowsky qualified to Team USA for the 16th consecutive year at the Team Trials. The Dayton bowler was one of four women chosen by the National Selection Committee based on their performances at the Team USA Trials.