Rash snaps five-year PBA skid with Red Rock win

Sean Rash has been criticized at times for showing too much emotion before, during and after PBA tournaments. But no one could blame the native of Montgomery, Ill., for his passionate display Sunday.

Breaking his five-year victory drought, Rash opened with four strikes and rolled past Ryan Ciminelli 239-205 to win the season-ending PBA Tournament of Champions at Red Rock Lanes.

The teary-eyed 29-year-old pumped his fists repeatedly upon sealing the victory with a strike to open the 10th frame.

Though the tour title was Rash's fifth, he hadn't won since 2007 and never had won a nationally televised event.

"I'm an emotional person, and people know that," he said. "But 2007 was a long time ago, and it's a great feeling to relieve the stress."

Rash, who had not won in 14 previous TV appearances, said he was determined to make the most of another opportunity. The event aired on ESPN.

"I enjoyed being back on TV," he said. "There was a lot on the line today, and winning is everything. It's exciting to finish on a good note."

Ciminelli had momentum heading into the final, having beaten Mike Fagan and Jason Belmonte earlier in the day to reach the championship match. Though he logged strikes in three of the first four frames, Ciminelli left the two-pin standing in the fifth to provide an opening for Rash.

Rash said his success in the early frames gave him confidence that he could win it.

"I definitely wanted to get off to a good start," Rash said. "I got a break when (Ciminelli) missed that spare in the fifth frame."

Though Rash has blown a number of recent opportunities, he was determined to make the most of Ciminelli's mistake. With five strikes over the final five frames, he took over the match.

"The biggest thing for athletes is learning from failure," said Rash, who won six of his final nine matches to earn the top qualifying position in the stepladder finals. "I learned that a long time ago. You're not going to win every day. I've had ups, downs and mistakes, but I've learned from it."

The lessons helped Rash win an $80,000 check. Ciminelli made $40,000.

"I had a great week, so I've just got to look at it positively," said the left-handed Ciminelli, from Cheektowaga, NY. "Sean bowled great games, and he earned it. It just wasn't my turn to win."

Rash agreed.

"Just look at the season and look what I did in the World Series (third place)," he said. "And this week as well. I show up every week to win. I don't like to finish second, I don't like to finish third and I hate to miss a cut."

He pointed out that his achievement came against the world's top bowlers.

"When you win the Tournament of Champions, you beat the best players," Rash said. "These are the best players in our game because they're here."

In the semifinal, Ciminelli survived a slow start, using nine strikes to beat the Australian Belmonte, 257-223.

In the opening match, Ciminelli struggled, but took advantage of numerous mistakes by Dallas native Fagan to advance with a 190-182 win.