When she won the 2008 United States Bowling Congress Queens on April 30, Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, proved she was one of the best female bowlers in the world. Now, she can argue she's one of the best bowlers regardless of gender. Photos Steve Herbert/Getty Images

Barnes defeated four-time Denny's PBA Tour titlist Sean Rash of Wichita, Kan., 258-237 to win Bowling's Clash of Champions, a USBC event, in front of more than 1,500 fans at Kansas City Municipal Auditorium.

The inaugural event, which aired on CBS Sports, marked the return of bowling to network television for the first time in nearly a decade and was conducted in conjunction the USBC Convention in Kansas City, Mo. The Clash featured a field of 16 champions of USBC events and the U.S. Open competing for a $100,000 prize fund.

"It was an awesome crowd with fantastic energy," said Barnes, who received $50,000 for the victory. "You could tell it was filled with people who love bowling, and I just fed off that. It was a lot of fun."

Barnes, whose husband Chris is the reigning PBA Player of the Year, stepped up and threw three strikes in the final frame, just like she did in winning the USBC Queens, and forced Rash to throw two strikes and get nine to take the title. Rash made a solid first shot but the head pin flew across the deck and missed the 10 pin, giving Barnes her second major victory in less than two weeks.

"I just wanted to step up and make good shots, just like I do every time on the approach," said Barnes, who earned her spot in the Clash by winning the U.S. Amateur title in 2007. "I really thought Sean was going to strike out and win the title."

In Denny's PBA Tour events, Rash has a perfect 7-0 record on television and won the 2007 USBC Masters, but he couldn't continue his undefeated streak against Barnes.

"She is one of the best bowlers ever, male or female," said Rash (left), who got $25,000 for second. "Not only did she bowl great against me, but she also bowled very well in the semifinals and in the shootout round as well."

In the semifinals, Barnes trailed 2007 U.S. Women's Open champion Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., by 11 pins after five frames, but Barnes stepped on the accelerator and threw four consecutive strikes to pull out a 225-204 victory.

Rash took on USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championships winner Tim Pfeifer of Cranberry Township, Pa., in the semifinals and came away with a 226-191 victory.

All four players advanced to the championship round by surviving one of the most unique formats in the history of bowling. Each player made it through their foursome in the one-ball, sudden-death round, defeating opponents who ranged in age from teenagers to seniors.

Kansas City Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

Semifinals
Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan., def. Tim Pfeifer, Cranberry Township, Pa., 226-191
Lynda Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, def. Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 225-204
Losers eliminated, earn $5,000.

Final
Barnes def. Rash, 258-237
Barnes finishes first, earns $50,000; Rash finishes second, earns $25,000.