Well, this first blog entry was going to be me introducing myself to the bowling world, but too many cool things have happened within the past few hours that deserve this space instead.

I'm currently in Reno, Nev., training/working at the USBC Open Championships as part of the media relations team. I only have two more days left here before making the 1,100-mile trek to El Paso, Texas, for the 2010 USBC Women's Championships.

Let me tell you, it's been fun in Reno. I've met a ton of great people who work relentlessly to make the Open Championships a great tournament. Every bowler I've talked to has been great, with an even better story to tell. It's easy to get caught up in everything going on here, and lose track of what awaits me in El Paso.

It was safe to say I was caught up in the many moments that have made up the Open Championships through its first 16 days, and then Barry Zimmerman walked through the doors of the National Bowling Stadium.

Who is Barry Zimmerman, you ask?

Barry Zimmerman is the individual who calmly struck on his first 12 shots of singles to fire the first perfect game of the 2010 event.

This is obviously cool for many different reasons, but what really got me thinking was his final shot. The ball ran a little high in the pocket and tripped the 4 pin out last. Exactly the same way Lindsy Bonifacini struck on the final ball of her 300 game in this very same place about eight months ago at the 2009 Women's Championships.

I can't even describe how exciting that moment was for me. She became the ninth bowler in the history of the Women's Championships to shoot 300. It was the first 300 since 2005. And that's just the history!

Watching her trip that pesky 4 pin capped a historic four-month run for me. Not only was I at the end of the best job I ever had, but I got to share in some of the most exciting moments in Women's Championships history with some amazing people.

Whether it watching Emma Hendrickson stroll down Center Aisle and become a national celebrity or seeing Robin Romeo and Michelle Feldman literally strike for days, I got to be a part of it. I really felt privileged to be able to share these tournament experiences with so many great women competitors.

So thank you, Barry, for giving me the nudge my mind needed to remember my amazing experience in 2009, which will surely be topped in 2010. Am I right, ladies?

Before hitting the road, I also want to send a special thank you to all of the workers at the Open Championships. You have been an absolute pleasure to work with, and I wish you all the best of luck for the rest of the tournament and beyond.

And, of course, I can't end my first blog without saying thanks to my mentor and left-handed hero, Matt Cannizzaro. It's been a great learning experience so far, and I certainly hope I can pass along everything you have taught me to make the experience our women bowlers have even more memorable.

Well everybody, time to hit the open highway. My next installment will be from Sun City, with an update on the facility and the weather, of course. I look forward to meeting you all over the next few months. I'm sure many of you will give me some great stories to tell.