USBC Women's Championships Concludes in Reno
bowlingball.com 7/31/2015RENO, Nev. - The 96th United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships concluded as the final shots of the 2015 event made their way down the lanes at the National Bowling Stadium.
The 82-day tournament kicked off April 10 and welcomed nearly 16,000 bowlers for the event's record 10th trip to Reno and seventh visit to the "Taj Mahal of Tenpins."
The 2015 USBC Women's Championships featured plenty of highlights on the lanes, including a late rush at the top of the leaderboard in many categories. All standings are unofficial and pending final verification.
Among the new leaders during the final days were Brooke Bower of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, in Diamond Singles and Jennifer Asplin of Oakley, California, in Diamond All-Events.
Bower, a former Kutztown University standout, fired a 781 series June 25 to cruise into the top singles spot. The 22-year-old right-hander finished her second Women's Championships appearance with games of 257, 257 and 267.
The following day, Asplin made her own run at the singles lead before settling in to second place with a 751 performance, but her overall effort left her at the top of the standings in Diamond All-Events with 2,182.
Th e 39-year-old right-hander added 736 in team and 695 in doubles in her return to the NBS, where she rolled a 299 game and finished seventh in Scratch All-Events in 2012.
In team competition, Team USA member Shannon Pluhowsky rolled a 706 series June 19 to help AZ Gals of Peoria, Arizona, into the lead in Diamond Team with a 2,717 total.
The team rolled games of 915, 960 and 842, and Pluhowsky was joined by Megan Withey (682), Megan Kelly (668) and Brenda Burns (661).
USBC Hall of Famer Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, and 2005 USBC Queens champion Tennelle Milligan of Arlington, Texas, posted the only 1,400 in doubles at the 2015 event, 1,404, on their way into the lead in Diamond Doubles on May 8.
Milligan led the way with games of 266, 217 and 277 for a 760 series, while Barnes added 194, 234 and 216 for a 644 set.
LaDeena Gray of Eureka, California, was the only bowler to hold onto the lead in multiple events this year.
The 39-year-old right-hander had a 554 set to help Eureka's Harbor Ladies into the Sapphire Team lead with a 1,942 series, and she continued strong the following day with 479 in singles and 441 in doubles for a 1,474 all- events total, which landed her at the top of the Topaz All-Events standings.
Along with high scores, participation also was celebrated at the NBS this year as seven bowlers joined the 50-Year Club at the 2015 Women's Championships, including USBC Hall of Famers Betty Barnes of Reno and Sylvia Broyles of Spring Branch, Texas.
Joining Barnes and Broyles in reaching milestones this year were Yvonne Carrel of Buena Park, California; Vivian Harasim of Portage, Michigan; Frances Plaia of Mandeville, Louisiana; Lucille Strauss of Richmond, Virginia; and Shirley Williams of Corona, New York.
The 2016 Women's Championships will head to Las Vegas and be held at the new South Point Bowling Plaza, which is part of the South Point Hotel and Casino. The 2016 event will run from April 9-July 10 (last team date), marking the tournament's third visit to Las Vegas, and first trip since 1983.
Article was posted with permission from Stars & Strikes, America's Bowling Newsmagazine. www.starsandstrikesbowling.com
