Lucy Sandelin wins 2013 Senior Queens

ARLINGTON, Texas - Hall of Famer Lucy Sandelin of Tampa, Fla., worked her way up the stepladder Tuesday to capture her second United States Bowling Congress Senior Queens title.

Sandelin, the 2007 USBC Senior Queens champion, defeated fellow Hall of Famer Tish Johnson of Colorado Springs, Colo., 279-224, in the championship match at the International Training and Research Center to claim the coveted tiara, pendant and $3,000 top prize. The event was presented by Storm.

LucyTrophy_465x262In the championship match, Johnson stepped up in the final frame and had a chance to put some pressure on Sandelin, but left a 4-6-7 split that virtually assured Sandelin would win the title.

Sandelin, a former Team USA member, started her day by eliminating 2011 Senior Queens champion Paula Vidad of Sun City, Calif., 228-205, before narrowly sneaking by defending champion and Hall of Famer Anne Marie Duggan of Edmond, Okla., 257-256, in a dramatic ending seen live on BowlTV.

Duggan had the opportunity to shut out Sandelin as she stepped up in the final frame, but left a 10 pin on her opening shot. After converting the spare, Duggan left an eight count on her fill ball to give Sandelin the chance to move on to the finals. Sandelin delivered the first two strikes and a nine count on the fill to secure the one-pin victory.

"I know it's a cliché, but I was just trying to do the same thing every time," Sandelin said. "It wasn't about winning. It was about that moment and making that shot. The second one was a little fast and the 5 pin carried, but the way I see it, they owed me a few hits from yesterday."

With the victory, Sandelin joins Hall of Famers Sandra Postma (three) and Shirley Levens (two) as the only competitors in tournament history with multiple Senior Queens titles.

"This validates that the first title wasn't a fluke," Sandelin said. "I finished second a few times at the Senior U.S. Women's Open and at the Triple Crown, and I wondered if I would win again. Winning never gets old. The older you get, the sweeter it is."

Sandelin's week at the ITRC also saw her capture the title at the Triple Crown Shoot-Out presented by The Orleans on Sunday. She credited her successful run to setting small goals throughout the week and working her way through each one.

"I wrote down small goals for the week, almost like a stepladder," Sandelin said. "Each day I was able to check something off the list. It didn't seem as overwhelming, and I was able to take it one day at a time and move onto the next goal."

Johnson received $2,000 for second place, while Duggan and Vidad earned $1,500 and $1,000, respectively.