John Forst of West Jordan, Utah, who worked several national championships as a lane technician for Kegel, is the 2016 recipient of the Jim Jaryszak Laneman Award. The award was presented at Bowl Expo on Wednesday.
The award, determined by the United States Bowling Congress Equipment Specifications and Certifications team, recognizes a person for their behind-the-scenes work as a laneman.
“I had no idea,” Forst said on receiving the award. “I’m not very big on awards, but it’s great to receive an award named for someone like Jim. I’m glad the service side is getting recognition.”
As a lane technician for Kegel from 1997-2007, Forst was trained by Kegel founder John Davis (right) and Len Nicholson, the former director of lane maintenance for the Professional Bowlers Association, to handle major events on the PBA Tour and events for the World Tenpin Bowling Association. He also was involved in the research and development of lane machines, lane conditioners and lane cleaners.
Forst developed lane patterns and performed topography studies while at Kegel, and has presented seminars on ball reaction and lane maintenance.
He oversaw lane maintenance at the USBC Open Championships in Billings, Montana in 2002 and Knoxville, Tennessee in 2003. He also oversaw the lanes for the USBC Women’s Championships in Salt Lake City (1994), Tucson, Arizona (1995) and Reno, Nevada (1997).
A USBC Silver coach, he served as assistant coach of the Indonesian National Team in 2011, and was head coach for Indonesia’s National and Development teams in 2012 and 2013. He served as head coach of the Malaysian Elite Backup Team in 2014.
As a competitor, Forst has seven top-five finishes in PBA competition, including a title at the 1984 Columbia Senior/Touring Pro Doubles Championship. He also has won several city and state titles in Illinois and Utah.
The Jim Jaryszak Laneman Award is named for the former USBC Research Manager who passed away in late 2010. Jaryszak was instrumental in setting up the USBC Sport Bowling program and as the point person when the PBA was updating their five “animal” patterns.
Forst is the sixth recipient of the award, presented annually at Bowl Expo. Len Nicholson was the first recipient in 2011. Past recipients include: Sam Baca, the first Director of Lane Maintenance for the PBA, in 2012; John Davis, who was posthumously honored in 2013; Steve Cross of Kegel in 2014; and Bill Cooley, the head mechanic and lane maintenance supervisor at Earl Anthony’s Dublin Bowl in 2015.
Click here to learn more about the Jim Jaryszak Laneman Award.
As posted on bowlingdigital.com
