Romeo ready for run at 3rd consecutive USBC Senior Queens title

14 May, 2016

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United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Robin Romeo of Newhall, California, will attempt to win an unprecedented third consecutive USBC Senior Queens tiara starting Tuesday at The Orleans Bowling Center in Las Vegas.

The 2017 Senior Queens will feature more than 60 of the top female USBC members age 50 and older competing in double-elimination match play for the chance to earn the title and part of the estimated $20,000 prize fund.

Romeo (above left) became the first player in tournament history to successfully defend her title when she defeated fellow hall of famer Tish Johnson (right) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, for the second consecutive year in the championship match, 212-191.

In Las Vegas, she’ll look to match USBC Hall of Famer Sandra Postma (left) as the only other three-time Senior Queens champion.

“Even just the idea of a three-peat sounds crazy, but it would be amazing,” Romeo said. “I just watched Pete Weber win three tournaments in a row, so it’s possible, and that made me think about it a little bit more. I don’t think winning ever gets old, and I’m going to give it my best shot.”

Romeo, also a Professional Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Famer, has been preparing for her title defense by competing in the first three events of the 2016 PWBA Tour season.

She recorded finishes of 64th and 65th at the PWBA Las Vegas Open and Nationwide PWBA Sonoma County Open, respectively, and she’s lacing up against 79 of the top players in the world this weekend at the PWBA Storm Sacramento Open.

“The last couple of weeks have been discouraging, but I think just being out here to compete is a huge help,” said Romeo, the owner of 17 professional titles.

“There’s nothing like being in the heat of the fire. Sometimes, you have to bowl yourself into the rhythm and mindset, and this really has been good, even though the standings may not show it. I made a commitment this year to practice hard, get on an exercise plan, lose some weight and really put in the work, and I feel like things are falling into place.”

The 2016 USBC Queens will kick off with two five-game qualifying rounds Tuesday. All competitors will return Wednesday for five additional games to determine the top 31 players, plus Romeo, to advance to the double-elimination match-play bracket.

Bracket play will continue Thursday until only five players remain for the stepladder finals starting at 9:30 p.m. Eastern. All rounds of the 2016 Senior Queens will be broadcast live on BOWL.com’s All rounds will be broadcast live on BOWL.com’s BowlTV.

The excitement will continue at The Orleans Bowling Center starting Friday as the top players in the world will make their way to Las Vegas for the USBC Queens, a major event on the PWBA Tour. The 2016 Queens will conclude with a live stepladder final Thursday, May 26 at 8 p.m. Eastern on CBS Sports Network.

For more information on the USBC Senior Queens, click here.

USBC Queens, Senior Queens head to Las Vegas in 2016
Robin Romeo makes history at 2015 USBC Senior Queens
Robin Romeo wins 2014 USBC Senior Queens

Herbert Bickel