Bowler returns to USBC Women's Championships after more than four decades
June 20, 2017
By Scott Simon and Aaron Smith
USBC Communications
BATON ROUGE, La. - Although 45 years may have separated the most recent United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships appearances for Jane Russell of Panama City, Florida, the layoff didn't slow her down as she found her way into the top five of the Topaz Singles standings at the 2017 event.
The 85-year-old last bowled at the USBC Women's Championships at the 1962 tournament in Phoenix, and although she stayed competitive in the sport throughout the years, her priorities focused on her family.
When a team of bowlers from Panama City needed a sub for this year's event at the Raising Cane's River Center, Russell obliged.
"I didn't bowl the tournament all of these years because I got busy with my family," Russell said. "And, frankly, some of the ladies in the area didn't think I was good enough to bowl with them."
Russell proved any naysayers wrong as her singles set helped her into fourth place in the Topaz standings, using games of 136, 184 and 150 for a 470 series. Alissa Ebneter of Belle Plaine, Minnesota, leads with 518.
Russell's overall effort at the River Center, including sets of 400 in team and 370 in doubles, also moved her into the top 20 of Topaz All-Events with a 1,240 total. Denise Guthrie of Kinsey, Alabama, leads with 1,367.
Russell stays active by bowling in three leagues a week at Panama City's Bowlarama Lanes, and she disclosed a secret to her success.
"I still practice, and the owner is really wonderful to me," Russell said. "He lets me bowl for free, and in return, I bake him pies."
Russell now will look forward to starting her consecutive streak at the 2018 Women's Championships in Reno, Nevada.
"I used to be pretty good," Russell said. "This is really something, to see my name on the leaderboard. Maybe it would have been good to bowl in past tournaments, but I can't worry about that. I can only look ahead."
Topaz Singles and Topaz All-Events includes bowlers with entering averages of 129 and below.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women's Championships page.
USBC Communications
BATON ROUGE, La. - Although 45 years may have separated the most recent United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships appearances for Jane Russell of Panama City, Florida, the layoff didn't slow her down as she found her way into the top five of the Topaz Singles standings at the 2017 event.
The 85-year-old last bowled at the USBC Women's Championships at the 1962 tournament in Phoenix, and although she stayed competitive in the sport throughout the years, her priorities focused on her family.
When a team of bowlers from Panama City needed a sub for this year's event at the Raising Cane's River Center, Russell obliged.
"I didn't bowl the tournament all of these years because I got busy with my family," Russell said. "And, frankly, some of the ladies in the area didn't think I was good enough to bowl with them."
Russell proved any naysayers wrong as her singles set helped her into fourth place in the Topaz standings, using games of 136, 184 and 150 for a 470 series. Alissa Ebneter of Belle Plaine, Minnesota, leads with 518.
Russell's overall effort at the River Center, including sets of 400 in team and 370 in doubles, also moved her into the top 20 of Topaz All-Events with a 1,240 total. Denise Guthrie of Kinsey, Alabama, leads with 1,367.
Russell stays active by bowling in three leagues a week at Panama City's Bowlarama Lanes, and she disclosed a secret to her success.
"I still practice, and the owner is really wonderful to me," Russell said. "He lets me bowl for free, and in return, I bake him pies."
Russell now will look forward to starting her consecutive streak at the 2018 Women's Championships in Reno, Nevada.
"I used to be pretty good," Russell said. "This is really something, to see my name on the leaderboard. Maybe it would have been good to bowl in past tournaments, but I can't worry about that. I can only look ahead."
Topaz Singles and Topaz All-Events includes bowlers with entering averages of 129 and below.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women's Championships page.