Jon Rakoski Earns “Priceless” Win At 2025 PBA50 Fort Myers Classic
Fort Myers, Florida – Jon Rakoski didn’t go to Walt Disney World after his third career title on the PBA50 Tour at the Fort Myers Classic. Instead, he kept his bowling shoes on, and he bowled in his regular Wednesday night league because his teammates wouldn’t let him take the night off. Rakoski was ready to keep bowling.
The quiet, unassuming Rakoski put on a show in the stepladder finals in front of a large, supportive crowd inside Lightning Strikes Bowl. As the No. 3 seed, Rakoski shot 278, 258 and 248 to add to his unexpected professional senior bowling career story.
“It is something you can’t even fathom. To do this in your own house in front of all the family and friends here I bowl with day after day, it is just a storybook. It’s so overwhelming,” he said. “Listening to the crowd cheer for every strike and every spare, it made me feel very grateful. I am grateful for all of the people here who follow me on this journey that I didn’t think would happen. Doing it at home is priceless.”
Rakoski rarely shows any emotion while bowling, but throughout his three games, he was doing single- and double-fist pumps. In his semifinal match against Mark Clark, he fell behind early but closed the game out with nine straight strikes, which included him running a shot out and adding a little hop to his step. “I can’t believe I did that,” he said, laughing.
It was ball rep and close friend Jeff Johnson that helped to refocus Rakoski early in that match against Clark. After a missed 10-pin and two single-pin spares, Johnson reminded Rakoski to get back into his rhythm, take a deep breath, slow down and make good shots. In the short amount of time the two have gotten to know each other, Johnson and Rakoski have become a solid tandem.
“I put all of my trust into Jeff. He has really paid attention to my game while I have been out here, and we have a bond together,” Rakoski said. “At the end of the day, you put us together and it is unstoppable.”
In the championship match, Rakoski led from the beginning against No. 1 seed Brad Angelo. Angelo, who won this tournament in 2022, left two flat 10-pins between back-to-back strikes multiple times before an open in the ninth sealed his second-place finish. After Rakoski struck on his first ball in the 10th frame, he turned around smiling back at his adoring fans, thanking them for their support as he won 248-213.
“I’ve proven to myself I can do this,” he said. “I always tell people, you never know what is going to happen if you don’t go out there and try. Don’t give up, just go out there and do it.”
In the semifinal match, Clark posted five straight strikes before leaving consecutive splits for costly open frames losing 258-221. Rakoski opened match two of the night with seven straight strikes over Andres Gomez. Gomez started off with the front five followed by a single pin spare and three straight strikes to set up his 10th frame. Unfortunately, his shot went wide right resulting in the 2-10 split, which he failed to convert for 243. Rakoski struck on two of his final three shots for the 278-243 win.
Gomez and 2024 PBA50 Player of the Year John Janawicz got the evening started with a bang. Gomez rolled six straight strikes, while Janawicz struck five out of his first six shots. After Gomez spared two 9-pins and a 10-pin, Janawicz answered with three strikes of his own. Janawicz finished first with a spare and 9-count for 257. Gomez responded with three clutch strikes for the tie. As the higher seed, Janawicz picked to start the roll-off on the left lane. He went slightly high leaving a 4-pin and Gomez struck to advance.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s next tour stop at the 2025 PBA50 The Villages Classic and beyond, Rakoski is excited.
“My goal for the year was to win a tournament, so I got that out of the way,” he said. “Now, I want to defend my Senior Masters title. Starting off the year on the right foot.”
PBA50 FORT MYERS CLASSIC FINAL STANDINGS:
- Jon Rakoski
- Brad Angelo
- Mark Clark
- Andres Gomez
- John Janawicz
MATCH SCORES
Match 1: Gomez and Janawicz 257-257 tie; Gomez wins roll-off 10-9
Match 2: Rakoski def. Gomez 278-243
Match 3: Rakoski def. Clark 258-221
Championship match: Rakoski def. Angelo 248-213