Tony Russo is 21, working at Sam's Club and contemplating enrollment at St.Petersburg College this fall.
Nearly 10 years ago, Russo became the youngest to roll a 300 game in Pinellas County. His 300-665 was the highlight of a budding career that recently took a traumatic turn.
Russo's grandmother, Rita, passed away a few years ago. His father, Fred, underwent open-heart surgery right after the 911 tragedy. Then, Russo had serious knee surgery that put him on the disabled list for 18 months.
"It was tough to handle all those things, coming so close together," Russo said. "I'm grateful to my parents and especially to Mariann (Russo, his aunt) for helping me through all that."
It took time for Tony Russo to climb back into his game, scrambling to maintain a 227 average and adding several 299 and 300 performances to his portfolio. Russo's career reached another peak last week when he recorded his first 800 series, a 289-814 at AMF Kenneth City. It was there that he rolled his first 300 and posted his highest previous series (796).
"It's been a long time coming, but it's great to finally get that first 800," Russo said.
SPRINGING INTO ACTION: The Pinellas County High School Spring League opens play 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at AMF Clearwater Lanes. It is the ninth season for the league, which this year includes 12 county squads and a possible record 30-team entry. Pat Scanlon, Ray Durbin, Mike and Linda Pavlak and Scott and Arlene Gross helped organize the league, a spin-off of the long-established Pinellas County High School League. For information, call (727) 787-4466.
COACHES CLINIC: Pat Pidgeon will conduct a Level 1 coaches clinic Jan.18 from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at Seminole Lanes. The fee is $45. The clinic is a prerequisite for any coach wishing to advance to the Bronze certification level.
ABC EXTENSION: The American Bowling Congress has extended the entry deadline for the ABC Championships Tournament to Feb.14. The tourney has been extended one day to June 28. The last team event will be June 27 at National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev. The tourney starts Feb.14.
FOERSTER WINS: St.Petersburg's Les Foerster won the NABI Club Tournament and $290 at Sunshine Bowl. Lori Lloyd finished second, and John Lewis was third. Both are from St.Petersburg.
TOURNEY: Dunedin Lanes will offer a 100-and-over doubles tournament Saturday. The entry fee is $20 per bowler. Combined ages of the players must be more than 100 years.
CLARIFICATION: Cindy Hall, Christina Taylor, Cheryl Mourer and Lisa Beck rolled 800 series last year, and Shaun Goucher's youth-record 867 series was shot at Seminole Lanes.
AROUND THE LANES: High scorers - Dennis McIntosh, 300-759, and Louis Crispiano, 300-711, at AMF Clearwater; Roy Robertson, 300-701, and Mike Marias, 299-713, Countryside; Andrew Deschamps, 300, Twedt's; Paul Victory, 289-824, John Cole, 813, Joe Dluzak, 300-695, and Darrin Campbell, 299-741, Liberty; and Carl Quick Jr., 277-810, Rainbow.
