Barnes takes all-events lead at WC

RENO, Nev. - United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, finished her doubles set at the 2014 USBC Women's Championships with 20 consecutive strikes, and that momentum helped her into the Division 1 All-Events lead Friday.

The two-time USBC Queens champion started doubles with games of 219 and 260 before closing the set with the fifth 300 of the 2014 event, and 25th in tournament history, for a 779 series. She added 683 in singles and 678 in team for a 2,140 all-events total and moved past fellow hall of famer Jeanne Naccarato of Tacoma, Wash., who rolled a perfect game on the way to 2,081 effort Thursday.

Barnes' perfect game also helped her and Tennelle Milligan of Arlington, Texas, (258) into a tie for the tournament's highest doubles game with 558. Milligan added a 616 series to help the duo into fourth place in Division 1 Doubles with 1,395. Naccarato and USBC Hall of Famer Robin Romeo of Newhall, Calif., lead with 1,479.

"It was one of those days," said Barnes, who also owns the tournament's highest doubles series with hall of famer Carolyn Dorin-Ballard in (1,498). "My swing was nice and loose, and I was just letting the ball do the work and having some fun."

As she stepped up for her final frame of doubles, the 46-year-old right-hander had several distractions around her, but she regrouped and made the right adjustments while waiting for her son, Troy, to return to see the final shot.

"There was a lot of chaos around," said Barnes, who made her 23rd tournament appearance. "Tennelle was getting a pin respotted, and we weren't sure where Troy had gone. After the 10th one, I actually moved because I thought I would be a little slower, and I tripped a four. I moved again on the final shot and tripped the 9 pin. We were talking on the way over here this morning how Troy is my lucky charm. It seems like I bowl a 300 at every tournament he comes to watch."

On Thursday, Barnes helped Arlington's Bowlieve In A Cure into the Diamond Team lead with a 2,819 series. If both the team and all-events scores remain at the top of the standings until the conclusion of the 2014 event June 30, she will become one of just 11 competitors in the 95-year history of the event to own at least six Women's Championships titles.

"It's a little overwhelming," Barnes said. "I love the game, and I'm thankful I can still compete on this level. To be in position to win two titles at this point in my career, I'm very thankful. I couldn't do it without the support of my teammates and family."

The final frame of Barnes' perfect game was showcased live on BowlTV as an addition to the broadcast of 2013 Scratch All-Events champion Rocio Restrepo of Canton, Ohio.

RestrepoRocio2014_250x140The Colombian national team member rolled the 2013 event's lone 300 on her way to the second-highest all-events score in Women's Championships history, 2,274. She was back on the lanes at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center this week to put that title on the line.

This year, Restrepo put together sets of 673 in singles, 666 in team and 581 in doubles for a 1,920 total. Although she fell short of regaining the lead, the 26-year-old right-hander was excited to return to the event as part of her preparation for the Queens, which starts Saturday at the nearby National Bowling Stadium.

"I feel like my game is better this year, but I didn't have as good of a look as I did last year," said Restrepo, who made her third tournament appearance. "Seeing the banner and everything was really exciting because it shows that my work paid off."

Jodi Woessner of Oregon, Ohio, posted a tournament-record 2,330 total on her way to the 2010 Scratch and Diamond All-Events titles.

Bowlers competing in Division 1 have entering averages of 190 and above.

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Presenting sponsors for the 2014 USBC Women's Championships include Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno.