Local boy bowls way into record books
Brandon Biondo is one kid at the bowling alley who doesn't need the bumpers - those metal gates that prevent the bowling ball from careening into the gutter. He bowls pretty well on his own.
In fact, the 12-year-old from Carpentersville is in the record books for his bowling achievements. Last month, Brandon bowled an 800-series over three games, making him the second youngest person in the United States to do so. Brandon, who has been bowling for the past eight years, scored 801.
"I didn't know I was going to be in the record books," said Brandon, who was 12 years and 2 months at the time. The youngest person was 11 years, 6 months.
Brandon was bowling in his regular Saturday league at 3D Bowl in Island Lake when he reached the mark. After scoring games of 264 and 258, Brandon said he knew what he needed to reach the coveted 800 :a 278.
"I was nervous, but I knew what I needed," Brandon said.
Brandon's father, Vince, a former member of Team USA national bowling team, was working in the pro shop of 3D Bowl while his son was bowling the game of his life.
"I was getting updates throughout but I didn't want to go out there too early," Vince Biondo said. "After the first two games I thought, 'He has a good series,' but I never thought it would continue."
In the third game, Vince Biondo said Brandon bowled eight-straight strikes, then a 9-spare in the ninth frame. Brandon still needed to perform will in the 10th frame to reach 800 pins.
"He knew what he needed and it was just his day," Vince Biondo said. "It is surreal because he is so young and you can't even fathom what he did. There are guys out there who have been bowling for years and have not achieved it."
Vince Biondo said Brandon's age aided his achievement.
"What is most impressive is that he didn't cruise in to the 800," Vince Biondo said. "He still had to do well in the tenth frame. He had a crowd and I don't know if I could have handled that at 12. I couldn't even pick up a 15-pound ball."
That strength is one attribute that Vince Biondo says makes Brandon a talented bowler. In addition, Vince Biondo says the opportunities Brandon has to practice and compete are unavailable to many other young bowlers.
Vince and his wife, Joey, operate the Eagle's Edge Pro Shop at the Lake in the Hills bowling center. Joey, also a former Team USA member, was the amateur champion in the early 1990s. Brandon practices at least twice a week and competes another two or three times per week, he said.
"It is my favorite sport," said Brandon, who also plays basketball and baseball. "It is fun and sometimes it can get very exciting because there are ups and downs."
Brandon was a member of the 11-year-old Tri-Cities Little League Team that finished third in the state last season.
While his parents were both professionals, Brandon is focusing on heading to college with the prize money from tournaments.
"I think right now he has a whopping $250," Vince Biondo said. "That would buy about half a textbook, but he still has six or so years to go."