FORT WORTH, Texas – Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., finished the opening day of match play frustrated but at the top of the leaderboard Monday at the U.S. Women’s Open, a United States Bowling Congress event.

After 12 games of match play, Kulick found herself leading with a 5-7 record and a 36-game total of 7,879, including 30 bonus pins for each victory, at Cityview Lanes. Two players are right on Kulick’s heels, however, as Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., is second, 11 pins back, and Amanda Beck of Plano, Texas, is third, just 25 pins off the lead.

“The lanes have really played differently each round so far,” said Kulick, who made history in January by defeating Chris Barnes to become the first woman to win a Professional Bowlers Association Tour title. “Any hypothesis you come up with to be better prepared for the next block is out the door. I don’t think anyone has seen a consistent look each block because no one has really pulled away.”

Kulick said the lanes played much more difficult during Monday’s match-play round than they did in qualifying, and her game plan to continue to stay near the top of the standings is simple – don’t make mistakes.

“At this point it’s really all about executing shots and not giving up the pocket,” Kulick said. “Spares are the key to keep progressing and then finding the pairs where you can shoot 230s or 240s. There’s no magic ball that’s going to help anyone strike, it’s just about executing.”

Johnson finished the day with a 5-7 record and a total of 7,868, while Beck had a 7-5 record and 7,854 total. Shannon O’Keefe of Arlington, Texas, is fourth at 7,697 after going 6-6 in matches, while Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of Keller, Texas, went 10-2 and is fifth at 7,688.

Round robin match play continues Tuesday with the final 12 games, which will be broadcast live on BOWL.com, as the players will complete their 48-game totals.

The top five players after 48 games, including bonus pins, will advance to the championship round at the International Training and Research Center in Arlington for the live ESPN2-televised finals at 8 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 12.

For more information on the U.S. Women’s Open, including results, stories and videos, visit BOWL.com.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to more than two million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

The interactive home of USBC is BOWL.com. Go to twitter.com/USBC for the fastest USBC headlines.

Bowl with US

2010 U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN

(At Cityview Lanes, Fort Worth, Texas)
Monday’s Results

MATCH PLAY
(Pos., name, hometown, match-play record, 36-game total including 30 pins for each win)

1, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 5-7-0, 7879.
2, Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 5-7-0, 7868.
3, Amanda Beck, Plano, Texas, 7-5-0, 7854.
4, Shannon O’Keefe, Arlington, Texas, 6-6-0, 7697.
5, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Keller, Texas, 10-2-0, 7688.
6, Clara Guerrero, Pflugerville, Texas, 8-4-0, 7680.
7, Lynda Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 4-8-0, 7677.
8, Leanne Hulsenberg, Roseville, Calif., 8-4-0, 7669.
9, Carol Gianotti, Australia, 8-4-0, 7648.
10, Michelle Feldman, Auburn, N.Y., 8-4-0, 7638.
11, Tennelle Milligan, Arlington, Texas, 5-7-0, 7579.
12, Jodi Woessner, Oregon, Ohio, 6-6-0, 7575.
13, Cherie Tan, Singapore, 6-6-0, 7571.
14, April Ellis, North Richland Hills, Texas, 6-6-0, 7566.
15, Anita Manns, Austin, Texas, 8-4-0, 7535.
16, Stefanie Nation, Grand Prairie, Texas, 6-6-0, 7498.
17, Bryanna Caldwell, Tucson, Ariz., 3-9-0, 7481.
18, Tammy Boomershine, North Ogden, Utah, 3-9-0, 7384.
18, Jennifer Petrick, Canton, Ohio, 6-6-0, 7384.
20, Megan Kelly, Kettering, Ohio, 6-6-0, 7355.
21, Tish Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo., 5-7-0, 7331.
22, Geraldine Ng, Singapore, 7-5-0, 7297.
23, Jazreel Tan, Singapore, 5-7-0, 7288.
24, Kim Terrell-Kearney, Grand Prairie, Texas, 3-9-0, 7237.

Click here for the Men’s Results

Click here for the Women’s Results

Congratulations to High Roller Pro Shop, who, to a bowler, averaged around 228 for their combined 12 games. Scratch.

Additional, a hearty congratulations to Andy Parker and Jane Bloom for their 1516 total. It nearly smacked as a walk-away, until Lisa and Kevin Rogers made their near-snatch of the title and fell only 4 pins short,  at 1512.

Congratulations to all participants for a well attended tournament that saw an increase in doubles entries and only a slight decrease in total team entries.

• Click here for complete Official Team Results
• Click here for complete Official Doubles Results

Prize checks will be mailed the week of Nov. 9th. Thanks again to everyone that participated.

The competition at Cityview Lanes, which will be held May 6-11, kicks off a series of major bowling events in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The 2010 USBC Hall of Fame dinner will take place May 11 at the City Club in downtown Fort Worth, while the 2010 USBC Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place May 12 on the grounds of the International Bowling Campus in Arlington.

Following the Hall of Fame ceremony, the live televised finals of the U.S. Women’s Open will take place at the International Training and Research Center in Arlington at 6:30 p.m. CDT on ESPN2.

For the first time since returning in 2007, the U.S. Women’s Open will feature round-robin match play. Players will compete in three eight-game blocks from May 7-9 with the top 24 players advancing to match play May 10-11. The four players with the best 48-game totals, including match-play bonus pins, will compete in the live stepladder finals.

“Match play is a traditional part of major bowling tournaments, and this format is more representative of a true U.S. Women’s Open test,” USBC Vice President of Media Pete Tredwell said. “And having one live TV finals show instead of five taped TV finals shows creates additional excitement while being more cost effective.”

Tammy Boomershine of North Ogden, Utah, topped a field of 170 players, including 59 international competitors, to win the 2009 event, which was held at Strike Zone Bowling Center inside the Sunset Station Hotel and Casino in Henderson, Nev.

The qualifying and match play portions of the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open will shift to Cityview Lanes, the largest center in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

“This will bring a lot of prestige for us,” Cityview General Manager Bill Blackerby said. “It’s an opportunity for us to show off the new look we have at the center.”

In conjunction with the U.S. Women’s Open, USBC will conduct its Hall of Fame ceremony outdoors and separate from its annual tournament or convention venue for the first time.

“Our goals in moving the inductions to Arlington are to spotlight the new International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame and International Bowling Campus while possibly growing the event into something big every year,” Tredwell said. “The inspiration for this idea comes from the annual baseball and pro football ceremonies. Those venues allow for large crowds and major media coverage. Plus having it the same day as the U.S. Women’s Open brings more focus to both events.”

The Veterans and Meritorious Service part of the class of 2010 will be announced in November with the Superior Performance inductees to follow in December or January.

Schedule of Events

May 6-11

• Women’s Open Practice, Qualifying and Match Play
  Cityview Lanes, Fort Worth

May 11

• USBC Hall of Fame Dinner
  City Club, Fort Worth

May 12

• USBC Hall of Fame Ceremonies
  International Bowling Campus, Arlington

• Women’s Open Stepladder Finals, 6:30 p.m. CDT
  International Bowling Campus, Arlington (live ESPN2 broadcast)

United States Bowling Congress

The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to more than two million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

As membership applications began to arrive in the Greater Dayton USBC office, and were beginning to be transmitted to national headquarters, it became evident that there were problems at both the levels.

The data being sent was not being configured properly and both the organizations experienced computer problems. USBC headquarters had us halt the processing of applications till the problems were resolved.

As of the first week of October, both computer systems are operating properly. We began processing all applications again and expect to be completed by the end of October. We apologize for any delay.

If you have entered any of our tournaments and have not yet received your membership card, bring your league receipt showing that you have purchased your card for this season. We will extend the 45 day period that the receipt shows.

Thank you for your support and understanding. If you have any further questions regarding your membership application, please contact the Greater Dayton USBC at (937) 222-2695 or (937) 222-9422.

The series has aired throughout September and October, and the final segment will feature the winners from the previous four shows, which whittled the field down from 12 quarter-finalists to four semifinalists.

In the opening match Sunday, viewers will get to see USBC Hall of Famer Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of Keller, Texas, take on her Team USA teammate Shannon Pluhowsky of Phoenix. The second match will feature Tammy Boomershine of North Ogden, Utah, and former Team USA member Missy Bellinder of Fullerton, Calif. None of the four players on the telecast have won the U.S. Women’s Open before.

Dorin-Ballard, a 20-time Professional Women’s Bowling Association champion, earned her way into the semifinals with a win over Team USA member Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas. Dorin-Ballard finished second at the U.S. Women’s Open in 2003 and also was a semifinalist in 2007 and 2008.

“I feel like I’ve bowled well before, and it hasn’t happened, but I always hope the pins will fall my way,” Dorin-Ballard said. “No matter what tournament it is, I just go out there looking to throw good shots and bowl my game. That’s all I can do.”

Pluhowsky turned in a dominating performance in the quarterfinals with games of 269 and 236 in wins over defending champion Kim Terrell-Kearney of Grand Prairie, Texas, and 2003 U.S. Women’s Open champion Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J.

Boomershine, who enjoyed quick success in the PWBA in the 1990s, chose to leave the Tour in 2002 because she never was able to return to top form after a 1997 back surgery. The 39-year-old right-hander is back in the spotlight now, however, after earning her way into the semifinals with a win over Malaysia’s Shalin Zulkifli on the first TV show (Sept. 13).

“It was nerve wracking being back on TV at first, but it didn’t take me long to get comfortable,” said Boomershine, a four-time PWBA titlist who made nearly 30 television appearances during her career. “I knew I’d feel better once I started throwing some balls, and I was right. After a few minutes, I finally realized how much I accomplished just making it to TV, and it felt great.”

Bellinder grabbed the last spot in the semifinals with a win over top seed Shannon O’Keefe. Bellinder also reached the quarterfinals at the U.S. Women’s Open in 2007.

Any competitor who rolls a 300 game in the semifinals or championship match will earn $100,000 bonus.

Qualifying at the U.S. Women’s Open was at held Strike Zone Bowling Center from Aug. 4-7, and the five TV shows were taped Aug. 8-9.

For more information on the U.S. Women’s Open, visit BOWL.com.

The United States totaled 6,494 for six games at Carolina Bowling Center, easily breaking the previous record of 6,357 set by Team USA in 2008. Colombia took the silver medal with 6,146, while the Dominican Republic earned bronze with 5,969.

Lynda Barnes led Team USA with 1,315, an average of nearly 220 per game, and was joined by Diandra Asbaty (1,303), Kim Terrell-Kearney (1,283), Shannon Pluhowsky (1,250), Shannon O’Keefe (707) and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (636).

“It was just so cool to be out there and play tonight,” O’Keefe said. “We always come here hoping to win team event. We played well together and communicated well. It was a total team effort.”

The Americans led the Dominican Republic by just 32 pins after three games, but pulled away to win the title by nearly 350 pins. Team USA had games of 1,089, 1,103 and 1,141 to close out the victory.

O’Keefe’s 707 series in the final three games also propelled her to the all-events gold medal. For 24 games, O’Keefe totaled 5,159, an average of 214.23.

“I struggled a little bit in doubles, but figured it out in trios and team,” O’Keefe said. “It’s nice to win the all-events, but really it’s just a bonus.”

Colombia’s Clara Guerrero took the silver medal with 5,108, while Pluhowsky earned the bronze with 5,078.

The top 16 players in the all-events standings advanced to the Masters match play Saturday afternoon and all six Team USA women made the cut.

On the men’s side, Team USA has a big deficit to overcome in the second three games of team event on Saturday morning. The Americans sit in third place after three games with 3,164 and trail Mexico by nearly 200 pins.

The Mexicans finished with 3,345 after putting forward for a balanced attack. Benjamin Corona led Mexico with 693 and was followed by Alejandro Cruz (686), Daniel Falconi (675), Ernesto Franco (663) and Jorge Rosado (628).

The United States, which also trails Puerto Rico by 25 pins, was led by David Haynes with a 683 series and he was joined by Patrick Allen (667), Bill O’Neill (652), Chris Barnes (615) and Tommy Jones (547).

Cassidy Schaub will replace Allen in the lineup when Team USA competes Saturday morning to determine the men’s team medalists.

In men’s all-events, O’Neill leads with 4,785 for 21 games, Haynes is second with 4,649 and Barnes is third at 4,625. Jones and Allen are among the top 16, with Schaub sitting in 17th place heading into the final three games Saturday morning.

For more information on the 2009 PABCON Championships, visit BOWL.com.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to more than two million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

Bowl with US

2009 PABCON CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Carolina Bowling Center (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Friday’s Results

TEAM

MEN
(Top 5; three games)

1, Mexico, 3,345. 2, Puerto Rico, 3,189. 3, United States, 3,164. 4, Venezuela, 3,122. 5, Canada, 3,109.

WOMEN
(Top 5; six games)

1, United States, 6,494. 2, Colombia, 6,146. 3, Dominican Republic, 5,969. 4, Venezuela, 5,929. 5, Canada, 5,795.

ALL-EVENTS

MEN
(Top 5; 21 games)

1, Bill O’Neill, United States, 4,785. 2, David Haynes, United States, 4,649. 3, Chris Barnes, United States, 4,625. 4, Frankie Colon, Puerto Rico, 4,590. 5, Andres Gomez, Colombia, 4,570.

WOMEN
(Top 5; 24 games)

1, Shannon O’Keefe, United States, 5,159. 2, Clara Guerrero, Colombia, 5,108. 3, Shannon Pluhowsky, United States, 5,078. 4, Kim Terrell-Kearney, United States, 5,071. 5, Lynda Barnes, United States, 5,061.

ARLINGTON, Texas – Kim Terrell-Kearney of Grand Prairie, Texas, is one of only two bowlers to reach the televised portion of the U.S. Women’s Open, a United States Bowling Congress event, each year since its return in 2007, and this time, she did so in dramatic fashion.

Terrell-Kearney, the defending champion, entered the last round of qualifying in 18th place, 95 pins out of the cut to the top 12, but catapulted into 11th place with the highest final block at Strike Zone Bowling Center inside the Sunset Station Hotel and Casino in Henderson, Nev.

Now, viewers can see her try to defend the U.S. Women’s Open title she claimed last year in Romeoville, Ill., when she makes her return to ESPN this Sunday at 2 p.m. EDT.

Terrell-Kearney will take on her Team USA teammate Shannon Pluhowsky of Phoenix, and the winner will advance to meet 2003 U.S. Women’s Open champion Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., for a spot in the semifinals, scheduled to air on Oct. 18.

“Going into the last round, I knew I needed a good block because I had a bad morning round,” said Terrell-Kearney, who also won the U.S. Women’s Open in 2001 and is one of 10 players to win the event multiple times. “I don’t think I was in the top 10 at any point during qualifying, and I just wanted to find a way to keep playing. I think I snuck through in a similar way the last two years, too, and at that point, the tournament basically starts over. That is definitely to my advantage since I don’t have to play catch-up anymore.”

After 40 games of qualifying at Strike Zone Bowling Center, the top 12 players advanced to the televised portion of the event. The five TV shows will air on Sunday afternoons throughout September (13 and 20) and October (4, 11 and 18) with the champion being crowned on the finale.

Terrell-Kearney, who won nine titles during her 16-year Professional Women’s Bowling Association career, is familiar with the pressures of competition and said she didn’t prepare any differently just because she was the defending champion.

“You just have to be as prepared as you can be, and I just like to go out and play without any worries,” Terrell-Kearney said. “Sometimes, I’m a bit surprised that I’m still able to compete at this level since I don’t play that much anymore, but I am glad when I do get a chance to compete because I love it. It’s a lot of fun, and when it’s not your living, it’s a lot easier to get the ball off your hand.”

The next show in the series (Oct. 4) will feature Team USA member Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, and Colombian star Clara Guerrero of Pflugerville, Texas, battling for the chance to face USBC Hall of Famer Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of Keller, Texas, the other bowler to make the televised portion of the U.S. Women’s Open each time since 2007. The winner will advance to the series finale.

Any competitor who rolls a 300 game on one of the first four TV shows will receive a $25,000 bonus. A perfect game in the semifinals or championship match (the fifth show) will earn the player $100,000.

Qualifying at the U.S. Women’s Open was at held Strike Zone Bowling Center from Aug. 4-7, and the five TV shows were taped Aug. 8-9.

For more information on the U.S. Women’s Open, visit BOWL.com.

Shannon Pluhowsky – Bowler of the Year [93]
Jessica Fleck [63 (Tie)]
Megan Kelly [63 (Tie)]
Linda Kelly [57]
Amy S. Daniels [56]

Second Team:

Jane Bloom [53]
Jennifer Owens [51]
Mandy Wilson [50]
Susan Hartley [46]
Kari Watson [38]

[Accumulated Points noted in brackets]

Boomershine defeated Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia, 216-202, while Pluhowsky knocked off Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., 236-142, as both winners moved on to Sunday night’s semifinals. The two players who will join them will be determined Sunday afternoon at Strike Zone Bowling Center inside the Sunset Station Hotel and Casino in Henderson, Nev.

Boomershine, the fourth seed, trailed the entire match and eventually advanced when Zulkifli made a critical error in the final frame. Needing just nine, spare, strike to move on, Zulkifli went high on the head pin and left the 4-6-7-10 split to lose.

“I struggled at the beginning of the game, but at the end, I finally got it together,” said Boomershine, who struck in the eighth and ninth frames and then on the first ball in the 10th frame. “I was shocked at the way it ended because that was the only shot Shalin missed all game. I expected her to get it done. I did what I could to put the pressure on her.”

Zulkifli, a semifinalist at last year’s U.S. Women’s Open who defeated Diandra Asbaty of Chicago, 255-206, to reach the quarterfinals Saturday, started the game against Boomershine with three strikes in a row before leaving a 2 pin on the right lane. She never doubled again, leaving three consecutive 10 pins on the left lane before disaster struck in the final frame.

In the other quarterfinals match-up, Pluhowsky never faced any pressure from Kulick. The left-hander started with three consecutive strikes, while Kulick, the third seed, opened with three splits.

“At that point, I just wanted to stay clean,” Pluhowsky said. “She had a rocky start, but it didn’t mean she wasn’t going to get lined up and start striking. It was definitely relaxing a little bit to have the pressure off.”

In the opening match, Pluhowsky made a run at the $25,000 bonus for a televised perfect game in the opening four telecasts. She started with eight consecutive strikes before a solid 7 pin put a halt to her streak. Pluhowsky went on to defeat defending champion Kim Terrell-Kearney of Grand Prairie, Texas, 269-172.

“I made a good shot, and I knew it was going to be close, but I wasn’t sure that it would strike,” Pluhowsky said. “Obviously, when you get that many strikes in a row, you start thinking about 300, but my mind was still focused on the main goal, which is winning the U.S. Women’s Open.”

Six more players will battle for the last two spots in the championship round on Sunday afternoon beginning at 3 p.m. EDT. Lynda Barnes will take on Clara Guerrero with the winner facing Carolyn Dorin-Ballard. The other show features Liz Johnson battling Missy Bellinder with the winner taking on top seed Shannon O’Keefe.

The championship round, scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. EDT, will feature the four quarterfinal winners battling in head-to-head matches until the champion is determined. If a player shoots 300 in the championship round, she will earn a $100,000 bonus. The shows will air on five consecutive Sundays at 2 p.m. EDT beginning Sept. 13 on ESPN. The schedule is subject to change.

The top 12 players after 40 games of qualifying advanced to the televised portion of the event with the top four finishers, O’Keefe, Dorin-Ballard, Kulick and Boomershine, earning byes in the first round.

For more information on the U.S. Women’s Open, including stories, photos and complete results, visit bowl.com.

Applications were made available and accepted for membership to the “New” Board of Directors. Notices were sent out to all Proprietors’, League Secretaries, & Officers to inform them of applications being accepted for the position of Association Manager.

In June, a special “Open-Membership” meeting was conducted by the transition committee to select the Officers and Board members from a slate of candidates that applied for the positions. The people who ran for position and were selected to the newly-merged 23-member Board of Directors are…

Nominees for President – Tom Sortman
Selected for President – Tom Sortman

Nominees for Vice Presidents – Sue Fillers, Bob Gray, Mary Hardin, John Ketzel Sr., Del Kidwell, Tim Lewis, Dave Molnar, and Leon Whitaker
Selected for Vice President – Sue Fillers, Bob Gray, and Dave Molnar

Nominees for Youth Directors – Jacqueline Balon, Jeff Fleck, Terry Hopkins, Del Kidwell, Bruce Ludwig, Denise Morgan, Andy Parker, Joe Taylor, and Rex Wolfe
Selected for Youth Directors – Jeff Fleck, Denise Morgan, Andy Parker, Joe Taylor, and Rex Wolfe

Nominees for Adult Directors – Jacqueline Balon, Don Berry, Dana Bone, Betty Darden, Don Gutheil, Mary Hardin, Gloria Harris, Terry Hopkins, Debbie Howell, John Ketzel Sr., Del Kidwell, Tim Lewis, Bruce Ludwig, Eric Marcus, Sandra Lee Moon, Pamela Pollard, Barbra Raglin, and Leon Whitaker
Selected for Adult Directors – Don Berry, Dana Bone, Betty Darden, Don Gutheil, Mary Hardin, Gloria Harris, Debbie Howell, John Ketzel Sr., Del Kidwell, Tim Lewis, Eric Marcus, Sandra Lee Moon, Pamela Pollard, and Barbra Raglin

Applicants for Association Manager- Maureen (Moe) Hopkins and Barbara Raglin
Selected for Association Manager- Barbara Raglin

RENO, Nev. – Every year, the United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships gets thousands of first-time participants eager to experience what the tournament has to offer. Colleen Keirnes of Salmon, Idaho, is one of those bowlers and proved it’s never too late to start competing on the largest stage in women’s bowling.Keirnes, participating for the first time at the age of 80, made her tournament debut at the National Bowling Stadium on Monday evening. Her trip to the tournament started simply as a way to have fun with a few friends and turned into a memorable experience.

“We just decided that we were going to Reno to bowl in the national tournament,” Keirnes said.

The spry right-hander, who bowls twice a week at the Salmon Strike Zone, did have some reservations about her first trip to the USBC Women’s Championships due to the travel arrangements.

“Everyone was originally going to drive into Boise and then fly to Reno,” Keirnes said. “I wasn’t sure if I was going, but they changed their minds and decided to drive the entire way. I’m not a big fan of flying.”

After arriving at the one-of-a-kind Stadium, Keirnes was excited as well as nervous heading into her team event.

“I have butterflies in my stomach,” Keirnes said. “I hope I can bowl well. I at least want to hit my average. We’ve had so much fun already, though, and everyone here has been so helpful and nice that it’s going to be a great experience no matter how I bowl.”

Keirnes started bowling in 1956. For the past 10 years, she has competed in two leagues each week. She currently holds 130 average.

Keirnes’ trip to Reno also allowed her to visit with relatives she hasn’t seen in many years. Although she has had two husbands pass away, she is still supported by two sons, seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Her first efforts on the tournament lanes left her smiling after team event thanks to games of 138, 114 and 170 for a 422 series.

“I had a really good time,” Keirnes said. “I was nervous, but it worked out just fine. I shot my average and won some money in brackets. It was just an awesome and fantastic experience.”

Keirnes added a 384 series in doubles and 368 in singles for a 1,174 all-events total in her inaugural Women’s Championships effort.

Presenting sponsors for the 2009 USBC Women’s Championships are Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus Reno. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Sands Regency Casino Hotel, Harrah’s Hotel and Casino, Club Cal Neva, and Storm Products Inc.

For more information on the USBC Women’s Championships, visit www.usbcwomenschampionships.com .

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to nearly 2.5 million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

Bowl with US

Ishihara started off her 2009 tournament campaign with games of 188, 211 and 278 for a 677 series in team Tuesday and helped Oh Spare Me to a 2,627 total and second place in Division 2 (team averages from 746-845). MD Crabs With Attitude of Waldorf, Md., leads with a 2,649.

The momentum and excitement from her performance carried over to Wednesday, and the 52-year-old right-hander added 608 in singles and 567 in doubles for a 1,852 all-events total. Rowena DeMesa of Daly City, Calif., previously held the lead with 1,781. Division 1 includes bowlers with averages from 170-189.

Ishihara, who is a secretary in four different leagues in Anchorage, never let the pressure of the scores at the top get to her.

“I just come to this tournament to bowl and have fun,” Ishihara said. “It never crossed my mind that I was in position to take over the lead. I wasn’t even paying attention to the big scores on the board.”

And even though they didn’t know what the top scores were going in, there was plenty of excitement when their names appeared in the standings.

“We were taking pictures of the leaderboard after team,” Ishihara said. “I’m sure my teammates will be looking at the scores everyday, but I’m only going to look once in a while. I’m extremely happy with what how I performed, so if my score gets beat, it’s all right.”

Another memorable moment for Ishihara at this year’s Women’s Championships was having her mother watching her compete.

“My mother came all the way from Arizona to support me,” Ishihara said. “She was the one who got me involved in bowling, along with my aunt. Having her here made the past few days quite special.”

Ishihara’s success in team included Jimmie Wilson (510), Wendy Bacher (491), Kim Barnes (488) and Trancis Dees (461).

Presenting sponsors for the 2009 USBC Women’s Championships are Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus Reno. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Sands Regency Casino Hotel, Harrah’s Hotel and Casino, Club Cal Neva, and Storm Products Inc.

For more information on the USBC Women’s Championships, visit www.usbcwomenschampionships.com .

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to nearly 2.5 million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

Bowl with US