Loves lead Petraglia Jr. to Valley, Youngstown State

John Bassetti | Bowling

Johnny Petraglia Jr. isn’t sure if wedding bells are in the near future, but he’s sure that there will be bowling.

The 23-year-old Petraglia, son of PBA Hall of Famer Johnny Petraglia, migrated to Youngstown, enrolled at Youngstown State last fall and bowled at Wedgewood during the 2007-08 season.

It happened because Petraglia Jr. fell in love — again, although this time it wasn’t bowling; it was Andrea Lucente.

Lucente attended Morehead State in Kentucky after graduating from Fitch High in 2005.

She was on Morehead State’s bowling team, as was Petraglia.

“It’s a club program, so there weren’t any scholarships,” Petraglia Jr. said of Morehead. “But they did have grants and other rewards for both men and women bowlers.

During Lucente’s freshman year, Morehead’s women’s team finished third in the country.

When Lucente left Morehead, Petraglia followed.

“If she wanted to bowl for YSU, she’d have two more years of eligibility,” Petraglia said of Lucente’s status.

Petraglia has one more year of college eligibility.

But the young man whose family has lived in Manalapan, N.J. for the last 15 years, has another plan.

“I have a full-time sponsor for tournaments, so I’m considering devoting time to my senior year [at YSU] and, possibly, the PBA,” he said.

Petraglia’s plans for the next few months include participation in the Storm Dutch Open in the Netherlands on June 25, followed by the Megabucks in Las Vegas.

He wants to maintain his amateur status until completing YSU, from which he’ll have earned a degree in criminal justice.

Petraglia, Adam Barta, Frank Tondo, Frank Tondo Jr. and Rich Thompson composed the Preview Plus team which recently concluded its season in the Austintown Township League at Wedgewood.

“Adam is, arguably, the best bowler in the area,” Petraglia said of his teammate.

In such a handicap league, Petraglia, with a 226 average, said he’d have to shoot 290 to cover a lower-average bowler’s 200 game.

Petraglia has attempted to get into PBA events via tournament qualifying rounds or TQR; it’s a seven-game block that takes place on a Wednesday before the start of a PBA event on Thursday.

Each week, one amateur spot is open.

“It’s tough to do,” Petraglia said.

He nearly succeeded in a TQR in Parkersburg, W. Va., while at Morehead.

“I averaged 220 for seven games, which got me a check, but not enough to get into the actual PBA event,” Petraglia said.

However, the finish gave him a confidence boost.

“I bowled 180 in the fifth game and 180 in the sixth game, but a 250 in the seventh got me inside the cashing number.

“I was happy to know that, when I was on the bubble, I could make the last eight strikes. I know I could do it again.”

For the time being, Petraglia said he’ll keep his eyes open for sweepers and holiday events within a couple hours’ driving distance.

Once YSU’s second semester is over, Petraglia said he’ll have a solid month practicing with his father to prepare for Europe.

“My father always said you need 21 days of muscle memory to make something work,” Petraglia said of the training precept. “That month break will help me get what I need to compete.”

Petraglia Jr. says his father has worked for the Brunswick Corp. nearly 40 years now. Currently, Petraglia is the company’s U.S. ambassador.

“He’s heavily involved with equipment,” said his son, who noted that his father drives around the country.

“He hasn’t flown in nearly 30 years. He never liked flying when he was younger, so he decided he likes his hands on the wheel.”

The elder Petraglia was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1982. He also served as PBA president from 1979-80 and 1989-90.

XJohn Bassetti writes about bowling for The Vindicator. Write to him at bassetti@vindy.com.