SANTIAGO, Chile. – A couple of McKendree University bowling alumni trophy cases got a little fuller over the past week. Team USA competed in the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile from November 2nd through the 5th.
The team was comprised of four member, two males and two females. Half of the team were McKendree alumni in Hall of Fame member A.J. Johnson (class of 2014) and current women's bowling assistant coach Breanna Clemmer (class of 2020).
Women's Doubles
Clemmer paired up with teammate Jordan Richard, they took the lead after game four of eight and never looked back. Clemmer rolled a high score of 238 in game three and finished with a 208 average. With the help of Richard's 200 average, the pair would bring home the gold medal.
Women's Singles
Breanna Clemmer's medal count was not done after doubles action. With 3,278 pins accumulated for a 204 average, she qualified for the semifinals and guaranteed herself a medal. In the semifinals, she drew Clara J. Guerrero from Colombia. Clemmer would fall in the match 678 to 637, but she would still collect the bronze medal.
Men's Singles
In singles play, Johnson qualified for semifinal action in third place with 3,511 pins for a 219 average. In the semifinal round, Johnson bowled against Marco Moretti from Costa Rica. In the three game series, Johnson bested Moretti 680 to 666 including a 248 in the final game. During the gold medal match against Michel Hupe from Canada. Johnson would claim the gold medal with 795 series to Hupe's 727. In the second game of the series, Johnson would bowl a perfect 300.
Men's Doubles
During men's doubles action, Johnson was paired up with Brandon Bonta and they didn't have the fortune like Clemmer and Richard. As a team, they averaged 198, with Johnson averaging a 205. In the end, they would finish ninth out of twelve teams.
