STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Brooklynite Anthony Arias dominated the Staten Island bowling landscape in 2025.
That after the righty captured the 17th Staten Island USBC Masters event last weekend at Rab’s Country Lanes, a few months after winning the Staten Island Singles Classic at the same center.
The 45-year-old righty toppled 16-year-old junior kegler Justin Arenas, the leader after qualifying, in the title game to take home the $1,500 top prize. Arenas walked away with $800 in SMART scholarship winnings.
“(The competition) is very tough,” said Arias of winning his first Masters crown. “Tim (McAuliffe) was my first match and he is well accomplished and a great bowler. Dennis Nichol (his third opponent), as well, is very tough.
“I’ve had pretty good success at Rab’s. I won the Donnie Walters’ (Staten Island Singles Classic) tournament twice.”
Arias blasted his way to the finals, winning his first three head-to-head matchups, following the five-game qualifier.
Arias then met Arenas in the second round. Arenas fell short that matchup, but then went on to win all of his loser brackets matchups to make it back to the finals against Arias.
Arias, without a loss to his name, needed to win one of his two matchups against Arenas.
In a close first game, Arenas took advantage of an open frame from Arias to win, 193-190.
In the second match, both bowlers struggled early but it was Arias who got into a groove and prevailed on the tough pattern, 203-170.
It was Arenas’ second runner-up finish in the last three years.
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NOTES: The tourney drew 53 entries this year which was up 11 from 2024 … Arenas knocked over 1,034 pins during his five-game qualifing block … Michael Ruffe is the new SIUSBC tournament chair, taking over for past SIUSBC president Jim Episcopia, who is still involved on the board … After two rounds of qualifying, the cut score to make the finals was 961. The event saw a tie for the eighth and final position between Dan Dunleavy and Karalyn Buono, the latter of who came out ahead of that one to secure the eighth spot … The field saw five past champions compete. They were McAuliffe (2012-13, 2024), Mickey Endress (2015), Jeff Scire (2020, 2023), Jeff Martin (2021) and Rob Butler Jr. (2022)
For complete results, visit https://siusbc.org/masters-championship-tournament/
Final standings with prize money.