Wyoming bowler feels the pressure on way to 287 game at USBC Women's Championships
04/14/06
For Becky Dwyer of Riverton, Wyo., the extra investment in coaching during her once-a-week trip to bowl league paid off - in a big way. At the 2006 United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships presented by Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus in Reno, Dwyer rolled a 287 game, the second high game of the tournament thus far.
Dwyer's 287 came in the second game of her series in Division 1 team play sandwiched by 199 in the first game and 168 in the third game for a 654 series. She had the first 10 first 10 strikes before a 7-count and spare in the 10th frame. Only Shannon Duplantis of New Orleans has rolled a higher game so far in the tournament, a 289 back on April 3.
"Everybody in the National Bowling Stadium probably could hear my heart beat on that 11th ball," Dwyer said. "I didn't watch the score; I just threw one ball at a time. You have to."
Rising so high above her average of 180, Dwyer says the auspicious nature of her near-perfect game was far from being forefront in her mind during competition, her fourth USBC Women's Championship.
"I wasn't thinking anything," insists Dwyer, adding that "every time I got a strike, everybody clapped."
Dwyer was quick to credit her bowling coach, Phil Whitt of A&W Lanes in Thermopolis, Wyo., where she bowls league. In addition to getting coaching, Dwyer indicated there are other subtle adjustments to her game that might have improved her odds here, during the big game.
"I only threw one ball last night. I've only had the ball for a little over a month, and I've gone to a five-step approach for just a little over three months. So working with new equipment and new footwork has been tough. My mental game is another thing. I'm not used to bowling this high. Only two years ago, I only had a 162-average. Phil has helped me so much."
Dwyer's Just For Fun team finished with a 2,467 total which is currently in 38th place in Division 1. This isn't the first time her team stood out in the ranks.
"When we went down to Wichita, our team in Division 3 took 13th, so we actually got money back on that. Here in Reno, we picked up a bowler from North Carolina who bowled with us last night, and she had a blast."
While Dwyer claimed she holds no superstitions that influence how she does on the lanes, she quickly contradicts herself.
"I have a routine that I go through before I throw the ball, and that's about it," she said. "I just have about four steps that I go through in my mind of what I need to do to keep focused. What works for me might not work for somebody else."
So what's next for the married mother of three? "Hopefully now," says Dwyer, "I can roll a 300."
For the record there have been eight 300 games bowled in the history of the Women's Championships.
Kegel is the official lane maintenance provider of USBC. Top five division leaders with hometowns and pinfall:
United States
National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev. (March 16 - July 2, 2006)
For Becky Dwyer of Riverton, Wyo., the extra investment in coaching during her once-a-week trip to bowl league paid off - in a big way. At the 2006 United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships presented by Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus in Reno, Dwyer rolled a 287 game, the second high game of the tournament thus far. Dwyer's 287 came in the second game of her series in Division 1 team play sandwiched by 199 in the first game and 168 in the third game for a 654 series. She had the first 10 first 10 strikes before a 7-count and spare in the 10th frame. Only Shannon Duplantis of New Orleans has rolled a higher game so far in the tournament, a 289 back on April 3.
"Everybody in the National Bowling Stadium probably could hear my heart beat on that 11th ball," Dwyer said. "I didn't watch the score; I just threw one ball at a time. You have to."
Rising so high above her average of 180, Dwyer says the auspicious nature of her near-perfect game was far from being forefront in her mind during competition, her fourth USBC Women's Championship.
"I wasn't thinking anything," insists Dwyer, adding that "every time I got a strike, everybody clapped."
Dwyer was quick to credit her bowling coach, Phil Whitt of A&W Lanes in Thermopolis, Wyo., where she bowls league. In addition to getting coaching, Dwyer indicated there are other subtle adjustments to her game that might have improved her odds here, during the big game.
"I only threw one ball last night. I've only had the ball for a little over a month, and I've gone to a five-step approach for just a little over three months. So working with new equipment and new footwork has been tough. My mental game is another thing. I'm not used to bowling this high. Only two years ago, I only had a 162-average. Phil has helped me so much."
Dwyer's Just For Fun team finished with a 2,467 total which is currently in 38th place in Division 1. This isn't the first time her team stood out in the ranks.
"When we went down to Wichita, our team in Division 3 took 13th, so we actually got money back on that. Here in Reno, we picked up a bowler from North Carolina who bowled with us last night, and she had a blast."
While Dwyer claimed she holds no superstitions that influence how she does on the lanes, she quickly contradicts herself.
"I have a routine that I go through before I throw the ball, and that's about it," she said. "I just have about four steps that I go through in my mind of what I need to do to keep focused. What works for me might not work for somebody else."
So what's next for the married mother of three? "Hopefully now," says Dwyer, "I can roll a 300."
For the record there have been eight 300 games bowled in the history of the Women's Championships.
Kegel is the official lane maintenance provider of USBC. Top five division leaders with hometowns and pinfall:
CLASSIC DIVISION
Team (946 average and over)
1, Strike 3, Sun City, Ariz., 3,021. 2, Lucky Ducks #5, Mohnton, Pa., 2,869. 3, Magic of the Southwest, Slidell, La., 2,855. 4, Bowlers Choice I, St. Louis Park, Minn., 2,849. 5, Bowlers Choice II, Wilmington, Del., 2,832.
Doubles (379 average and over)
1, Nicole VanDeventer/Laurie Clark, Sioux Falls, S.D., 1,231. 2, Sheri Tomisaka, Sunnyvale, Calif./Kim Wong, San Jose, Calif., 1,213. 3, Sandy Giddens, Orlando, Fla./Gean Olin, Apopka, Fla., 1,207. 4, Sandi Irvine, Nolanville, Texas/Thelma Glenn, Stockbridge, Ga., 1,200. 5, Judy Vogel, Slidell, La./Shannon Duplantis, New Orleans, 1,193.
Singles (190 average and over)
1, Shannon Duplantis, New Orleans, 707. 2, Alisha Caballero, Riverside, Calif., 678. 3, Jodi Hiraoka, San Bruno, Calif., 670. 4, Kelly Jay, Missouri City, Texas, 653. 5, Judy Vogel, Slidell, La., 647.
All Events (190 average and over)
1, Shannon Duplantis, New Orleans, 1,896. 2, Brenda Burns, Sun City, Ariz., 1,880. 3, Carol Dutton, Joplin, Mo., 1,877. 4, Sandy Giddens, Orlando, Fla., 1,862. 4, Renee Steele, Carson City, Nev., 1,851.
1, Strike 3, Sun City, Ariz., 3,021. 2, Lucky Ducks #5, Mohnton, Pa., 2,869. 3, Magic of the Southwest, Slidell, La., 2,855. 4, Bowlers Choice I, St. Louis Park, Minn., 2,849. 5, Bowlers Choice II, Wilmington, Del., 2,832.
Doubles (379 average and over)
1, Nicole VanDeventer/Laurie Clark, Sioux Falls, S.D., 1,231. 2, Sheri Tomisaka, Sunnyvale, Calif./Kim Wong, San Jose, Calif., 1,213. 3, Sandy Giddens, Orlando, Fla./Gean Olin, Apopka, Fla., 1,207. 4, Sandi Irvine, Nolanville, Texas/Thelma Glenn, Stockbridge, Ga., 1,200. 5, Judy Vogel, Slidell, La./Shannon Duplantis, New Orleans, 1,193.
Singles (190 average and over)
1, Shannon Duplantis, New Orleans, 707. 2, Alisha Caballero, Riverside, Calif., 678. 3, Jodi Hiraoka, San Bruno, Calif., 670. 4, Kelly Jay, Missouri City, Texas, 653. 5, Judy Vogel, Slidell, La., 647.
All Events (190 average and over)
1, Shannon Duplantis, New Orleans, 1,896. 2, Brenda Burns, Sun City, Ariz., 1,880. 3, Carol Dutton, Joplin, Mo., 1,877. 4, Sandy Giddens, Orlando, Fla., 1,862. 4, Renee Steele, Carson City, Nev., 1,851.
DIVISION 1
Team (846-945 average)
1, Village Bar II, Omaha, Neb., 2,842. 2, Cruizin', White City, Ore., 2,759. 3, Sassy Ladies, Apopka, Fla., 2,691. 4, Scraps Dog Company, Reno, Nev., 2,685. 5, Foxy Ladies, High Springs, Fla., 2,659.
Doubles (339-378 average)
1, Pam Schulz, Longview, Wash./Valery Hubbard, Kelso, Wash., 1,264. 2, Terri Stynes, Sunnyvale, Calif./Jackie Wyckoff, Cupertino, Calif., 1,178. 3, Shannon Antczak/Lorrie Sims, Oakley, Calif., 1,172. 4, Jennifer Wahlen/Julia Melnar, Las Vegas, Nev., 1,167. 5, Patti Smevik, Incline Village, Nev./Tisha Carter, Las Vegas, Nev., 1,145.
Singles (170-189 average)
1, Marlene Crosier, Mitchell, Neb., 650. 2, Tracey Hoffman, Twin Falls, Idaho, 633. 3, Gerry Little Jr., Jacksonville, Fla., 629. 4, Lazette Harris, Antelope, Calif., 620. 5, Bessie Scarvers, Hyattsville, Md., 617.
All Events (170-189 average)
1, Gerry Little Jr., Jacksonville, Fla., 1,777. 2, Lazette Harris, Antelope, Calif., 1,734. 3, Colleen McDermott, Crystal Lake, Ill., 1,715. 4, Charlene Gazaway, Gainvesville, Ga., 1,712. 5, Marlene Crosier, Mitchell, Neb., 1,708.
1, Village Bar II, Omaha, Neb., 2,842. 2, Cruizin', White City, Ore., 2,759. 3, Sassy Ladies, Apopka, Fla., 2,691. 4, Scraps Dog Company, Reno, Nev., 2,685. 5, Foxy Ladies, High Springs, Fla., 2,659.
Doubles (339-378 average)
1, Pam Schulz, Longview, Wash./Valery Hubbard, Kelso, Wash., 1,264. 2, Terri Stynes, Sunnyvale, Calif./Jackie Wyckoff, Cupertino, Calif., 1,178. 3, Shannon Antczak/Lorrie Sims, Oakley, Calif., 1,172. 4, Jennifer Wahlen/Julia Melnar, Las Vegas, Nev., 1,167. 5, Patti Smevik, Incline Village, Nev./Tisha Carter, Las Vegas, Nev., 1,145.
Singles (170-189 average)
1, Marlene Crosier, Mitchell, Neb., 650. 2, Tracey Hoffman, Twin Falls, Idaho, 633. 3, Gerry Little Jr., Jacksonville, Fla., 629. 4, Lazette Harris, Antelope, Calif., 620. 5, Bessie Scarvers, Hyattsville, Md., 617.
All Events (170-189 average)
1, Gerry Little Jr., Jacksonville, Fla., 1,777. 2, Lazette Harris, Antelope, Calif., 1,734. 3, Colleen McDermott, Crystal Lake, Ill., 1,715. 4, Charlene Gazaway, Gainvesville, Ga., 1,712. 5, Marlene Crosier, Mitchell, Neb., 1,708.
DIVISION 2
Team (746-845 average)
1, Centennial Lanes 2, Hays, Kan., 2,658. 2, Family and Friends #1, Rohnert Park, Calif., 2,633. 3, Burger Construction, Athens, Wis., 2,579. 4, Team 31233, Antelope, Calif., 2,578. 5, The BBAGS Ladies, Atlanta, 2,560.
Doubles (299-338 average)
1, Jeanna Brown, Bloomington, Ill./Joan Kaufman, Heyworth, Ill., 1,154. 2, Deborah Nowak-Frick, Walkerton, Ind./Pat Dukarm, South Bend, Ind., 1,141. 3, Stacey Fenton, Manor, Texas/Diane Beger, Round Rock, Texas, 1,119. 4, Beverly Volkert, Dubuque, Iowa/Kristine McCarthy, Galena, Ill., 1,098. 5, Liz Mette/Lesli Maas, Madison, Wis., 1,097.
Singles (150-169 average)
1, Judith Kaufman, Winslow, Ill., 620. 2, Bonnie Magnussen, Wyoming, Ill., 615. 3, Sandra Mays, Hercules, Calif., 603. 4, Dee Barragan, Mason City, Iowa, 600. 5 (tie), Natasha Peterson, Moreno Valley, Calif., and Morgan Robinson, New Haven, Conn., 599.
All Events (150-169 average)
1, Terri Stynes, Sunnyvale, Calif., 1,682. 2, Morgan Robinson, New Haven, Conn., 1,681. 3, Juli Wall, Petaluma, Calif., 1,680. 4, Dottie Knebel, Midland, Texas, 1,668. 5, Barbara Snell, Waco, Texas, 1,652.
1, Centennial Lanes 2, Hays, Kan., 2,658. 2, Family and Friends #1, Rohnert Park, Calif., 2,633. 3, Burger Construction, Athens, Wis., 2,579. 4, Team 31233, Antelope, Calif., 2,578. 5, The BBAGS Ladies, Atlanta, 2,560.
Doubles (299-338 average)
1, Jeanna Brown, Bloomington, Ill./Joan Kaufman, Heyworth, Ill., 1,154. 2, Deborah Nowak-Frick, Walkerton, Ind./Pat Dukarm, South Bend, Ind., 1,141. 3, Stacey Fenton, Manor, Texas/Diane Beger, Round Rock, Texas, 1,119. 4, Beverly Volkert, Dubuque, Iowa/Kristine McCarthy, Galena, Ill., 1,098. 5, Liz Mette/Lesli Maas, Madison, Wis., 1,097.
Singles (150-169 average)
1, Judith Kaufman, Winslow, Ill., 620. 2, Bonnie Magnussen, Wyoming, Ill., 615. 3, Sandra Mays, Hercules, Calif., 603. 4, Dee Barragan, Mason City, Iowa, 600. 5 (tie), Natasha Peterson, Moreno Valley, Calif., and Morgan Robinson, New Haven, Conn., 599.
All Events (150-169 average)
1, Terri Stynes, Sunnyvale, Calif., 1,682. 2, Morgan Robinson, New Haven, Conn., 1,681. 3, Juli Wall, Petaluma, Calif., 1,680. 4, Dottie Knebel, Midland, Texas, 1,668. 5, Barbara Snell, Waco, Texas, 1,652.
DIVISION 3
Team (651-745 average)
1, Just Marked, Oakland, Calif., 2,458. 2, Cutting Edge, Glencoe, Minn., 2,417. 3, Left Overs, Ponca City, Okla., 2,401. 4, Coldwell Banker, Eureka, Calif., 2,397. 5, Ball Busters, Montgomery, Texas, 2,343.
Doubles (261-298 average)
1, Jamie Huyser, Kearney, Neb./Connie Huyser, Johnson Lake, Neb., 1,062. 2, Joyce Bland, Tampa, Fla./Ruth Burns, Carlinville, Ill., 1,045. 3, Janie Bauer/Sandy Wilson, Elko, Nev., 1,033. 4, Winsome Wells, Lakeview, Ore./Beverly Scherer, Paisley, Ore., 1,026. 5, Kerri Dupris/Denise Hollenbeck, Rapid City, S.D., 1,019.
Singles (131-149 average)
1, Nancy Galinat, Harrold, S.D., 638. 2, Robin McGinnis, Petrolia, Pa., 598. 3, Tisha Martin, Seattle, 586. 4, Pat Ballantyne, The Villages, Fla., 564. 5, Judith McGee, Highland, Mich., 562.
All Events (131-149 average)
1, Nancy Galinat, Harrold, S.D., 1,592. 2, Robin McGinnis, Petrolia, Pa., 1,588. 3, Sheila Jeffers, Sandy, Utah, 1,543. 4, Kelli Zygulski, Elgin, Ill., 1,536. 5, Kathy Carmody, Plano, Texas, 1,527.
1, Just Marked, Oakland, Calif., 2,458. 2, Cutting Edge, Glencoe, Minn., 2,417. 3, Left Overs, Ponca City, Okla., 2,401. 4, Coldwell Banker, Eureka, Calif., 2,397. 5, Ball Busters, Montgomery, Texas, 2,343.
Doubles (261-298 average)
1, Jamie Huyser, Kearney, Neb./Connie Huyser, Johnson Lake, Neb., 1,062. 2, Joyce Bland, Tampa, Fla./Ruth Burns, Carlinville, Ill., 1,045. 3, Janie Bauer/Sandy Wilson, Elko, Nev., 1,033. 4, Winsome Wells, Lakeview, Ore./Beverly Scherer, Paisley, Ore., 1,026. 5, Kerri Dupris/Denise Hollenbeck, Rapid City, S.D., 1,019.
Singles (131-149 average)
1, Nancy Galinat, Harrold, S.D., 638. 2, Robin McGinnis, Petrolia, Pa., 598. 3, Tisha Martin, Seattle, 586. 4, Pat Ballantyne, The Villages, Fla., 564. 5, Judith McGee, Highland, Mich., 562.
All Events (131-149 average)
1, Nancy Galinat, Harrold, S.D., 1,592. 2, Robin McGinnis, Petrolia, Pa., 1,588. 3, Sheila Jeffers, Sandy, Utah, 1,543. 4, Kelli Zygulski, Elgin, Ill., 1,536. 5, Kathy Carmody, Plano, Texas, 1,527.
DIVISION 4
Team (650 average and under)
1, Bear Nasty, Monticello, Minn., 2,187. 2, Shelton-Christmas Town, Shelton, Wash., 2,079. 3, Goof Troop, Farmington, N.M., 2,070. 4, Nebraska Inn, Clay Center, Neb., 2,048. 5, Whittierwood Product, Springfield, Ore., 2,040.
Doubles (260 average and under)
1, Sharon Carroll/Dee Caroll, Newport, Wash., 945. 2, Carol Wick, Frazee, Minn./Joan Neros, Vergas, Minn., 900. 3 (tie), Rose Noone, Ahwahnee, Calif.,/Connie Kay Fox, Oakhurst, Calif., and Stephanie Zoellick/Brandi Williams, Meridian, Idaho, 899. 5, Susan Gilmer, St. Paul, Minn./Valisa McKinney, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., 897.
Singles (130 average and under)
1, Rose Postle, Rice Lake, Wis., 554. 2, Shelly Bloch, Ramsey, Minn., 538. 3, Ashley Rivera, Kingsville, Texas, 536. 4, Claudia Garrison, Penn Valley, Calif., 525. 5, Tammy Taylor, Tacoma, Wash., 503.
All Events (130 average and under)
1, Ashley Rivera, Kingsville, Texas, 1,433. 2, Lynnsy Hesse, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 1,412. 3, Annie Dickerson, Manteca, Calif., 1,398. 4 (tie), Gayle Levering, Newton, Kan., Pamela Matthews, Woodbridge, Va., and Tammy Taylor, Tacoma, Wash., 1,388.
1, Bear Nasty, Monticello, Minn., 2,187. 2, Shelton-Christmas Town, Shelton, Wash., 2,079. 3, Goof Troop, Farmington, N.M., 2,070. 4, Nebraska Inn, Clay Center, Neb., 2,048. 5, Whittierwood Product, Springfield, Ore., 2,040.
Doubles (260 average and under)
1, Sharon Carroll/Dee Caroll, Newport, Wash., 945. 2, Carol Wick, Frazee, Minn./Joan Neros, Vergas, Minn., 900. 3 (tie), Rose Noone, Ahwahnee, Calif.,/Connie Kay Fox, Oakhurst, Calif., and Stephanie Zoellick/Brandi Williams, Meridian, Idaho, 899. 5, Susan Gilmer, St. Paul, Minn./Valisa McKinney, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., 897.
Singles (130 average and under)
1, Rose Postle, Rice Lake, Wis., 554. 2, Shelly Bloch, Ramsey, Minn., 538. 3, Ashley Rivera, Kingsville, Texas, 536. 4, Claudia Garrison, Penn Valley, Calif., 525. 5, Tammy Taylor, Tacoma, Wash., 503.
All Events (130 average and under)
1, Ashley Rivera, Kingsville, Texas, 1,433. 2, Lynnsy Hesse, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 1,412. 3, Annie Dickerson, Manteca, Calif., 1,398. 4 (tie), Gayle Levering, Newton, Kan., Pamela Matthews, Woodbridge, Va., and Tammy Taylor, Tacoma, Wash., 1,388.