Texan leads Sapphire Singles at 2016 Women's Championships
May 03, 2016
LAS VEGAS - The hard work and dedication of a team captain at an event like the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships is something that should be rewarded, and Mary Jane Shelton of San Antonio received a bonus Monday as she finished her 2016 event by moving into the lead in Sapphire Singles.
The 69-year-old right-hander recorded games of 184, 219 and 181 for a 584 series to move to the top of the standings. Erin Bright of Chicago had taken the lead Sunday with 582.
Shelton's singles performance at the South Point Bowling Plaza was the highest of her 18-year USBC Women's Championships career, and she credits a change of pace in helping her surpass her previous high series at the event by more than 60 pins.
"My team event was bad, but doubles and singles were pretty good," said Shelton, who added 520 in doubles and 410 in team for a 1,514 all-events effort. "Yesterday, I think I was going too fast to the foul line, so today I slowed everything up, and it worked."
Shelton is one of many dedicated captains who help organize and plan Women's Championships appearances for her teammates year in and out. She brought six teams to Las Vegas and already has six teams set for Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 2017 when the tournament returns to Red Stick for the first time since 1993.
Captains who bring six or more teams automatically are entered into the tournament's Captain's Club. Benefits of being in the Captain's Club include receiving a Captain's Club pullover, boxed journal and pen set and travel pillow as well as a tournament photo package, Bowling Ball Express discount, locker access and more.
"That was a very nice surprise," said Shelton, who works as a league coordinator at AMF Ponderosa Lanes in San Antonio. "The most rewarding part of being a captain is taking care of all the girls. We bowl nationals, state and city together and just have a good time."
Shelton now gets to wait and see if her singles score is enough to earn her another bonus in Baton Rouge - a Sapphire Singles trophy.
"It shocked me to find out I had taken the lead," Shelton said. "I would be really shocked if I won, and I know my husband and daughter would be, too."
Sapphire Singles features bowlers with entering averages of 145-159.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
The 69-year-old right-hander recorded games of 184, 219 and 181 for a 584 series to move to the top of the standings. Erin Bright of Chicago had taken the lead Sunday with 582.
Shelton's singles performance at the South Point Bowling Plaza was the highest of her 18-year USBC Women's Championships career, and she credits a change of pace in helping her surpass her previous high series at the event by more than 60 pins.
"My team event was bad, but doubles and singles were pretty good," said Shelton, who added 520 in doubles and 410 in team for a 1,514 all-events effort. "Yesterday, I think I was going too fast to the foul line, so today I slowed everything up, and it worked."
Shelton is one of many dedicated captains who help organize and plan Women's Championships appearances for her teammates year in and out. She brought six teams to Las Vegas and already has six teams set for Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 2017 when the tournament returns to Red Stick for the first time since 1993.
Captains who bring six or more teams automatically are entered into the tournament's Captain's Club. Benefits of being in the Captain's Club include receiving a Captain's Club pullover, boxed journal and pen set and travel pillow as well as a tournament photo package, Bowling Ball Express discount, locker access and more.
"That was a very nice surprise," said Shelton, who works as a league coordinator at AMF Ponderosa Lanes in San Antonio. "The most rewarding part of being a captain is taking care of all the girls. We bowl nationals, state and city together and just have a good time."
Shelton now gets to wait and see if her singles score is enough to earn her another bonus in Baton Rouge - a Sapphire Singles trophy.
"It shocked me to find out I had taken the lead," Shelton said. "I would be really shocked if I won, and I know my husband and daughter would be, too."
Sapphire Singles features bowlers with entering averages of 145-159.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.