California bowlers claim lead in Sapphire Doubles at Women’s Championships
June 01, 2026
LAS VEGAS – The standings were shaken up Monday at the 2026 United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships with new leaders ascending to the top of the leaderboard in Sapphire Doubles at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
Vickie Cowin of Garden Grove, California, and Lynn Neuenswander of Fontana, California, bowled their way to the top spot by combining for a total score of 968. Elizabeth Truman and Elisabeth Underwood of Northfield, Minnesota, had held the lead since April 29 with 949.
Cowin and Neuenswander started out strong in Game 1, combining for a total of 335. Cowin bowled a 147, while Neuenswander led the pair with a great score of 188.
The pair stayed consistent in Game 2 with a total of 319. Neuenswander led the way again with a score of 160, and Cowin was right behind with 159. In Game 3, both teammates shot 157, which gave them a 314 combined score and the lead.
Neuenswander finished with a 505 series, and Cowin had 463.
Both competitors were shocked that they had taken the lead. They had been told by the team next to them that they had taken first place, and both of them thought they were kidding.
“We as a duo are very shocked and surprised, to be quite honest with you,” Cowin said. “It just shows that I can bowl well, even under pressure and in a big tournament like this one.”
This was Cowin’s first year bowling the USBC Women’s Championships, and she definitely made a great first impression this year at South Point.
“It’s an unbelievable honor to have taken the lead and to see how well we did as a pair,” Cowin said. “It means everything to us, because I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my partner, Lynn.”
Neuenswander made her tournament debut last year in Las Vegas and convinced Cowin to tag along with her this year.
“From the perspective I heard from Lynn was that she had so much fun last year,” Cowin said. “Then this year, she was telling me, ‘Vickie, you absolutely need to come to the tournament and bowl with our team.’”
Both Neuenswander and Cowin are looking forward to traveling to Mooresville, North Carolina, for next year’s Women’s Championships.
Sapphire Doubles includes bowlers with combined entering averages of 270 and below.
The Women’s Championships is celebrating its 106th edition in 2026 and making its sixth trip to Las Vegas. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 16,000 bowlers and 4,200 four-player teams competing across 65 consecutive days at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Vickie Cowin of Garden Grove, California, and Lynn Neuenswander of Fontana, California, bowled their way to the top spot by combining for a total score of 968. Elizabeth Truman and Elisabeth Underwood of Northfield, Minnesota, had held the lead since April 29 with 949.
Cowin and Neuenswander started out strong in Game 1, combining for a total of 335. Cowin bowled a 147, while Neuenswander led the pair with a great score of 188.
The pair stayed consistent in Game 2 with a total of 319. Neuenswander led the way again with a score of 160, and Cowin was right behind with 159. In Game 3, both teammates shot 157, which gave them a 314 combined score and the lead.
Neuenswander finished with a 505 series, and Cowin had 463.
Both competitors were shocked that they had taken the lead. They had been told by the team next to them that they had taken first place, and both of them thought they were kidding.
“We as a duo are very shocked and surprised, to be quite honest with you,” Cowin said. “It just shows that I can bowl well, even under pressure and in a big tournament like this one.”
This was Cowin’s first year bowling the USBC Women’s Championships, and she definitely made a great first impression this year at South Point.
“It’s an unbelievable honor to have taken the lead and to see how well we did as a pair,” Cowin said. “It means everything to us, because I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my partner, Lynn.”
Neuenswander made her tournament debut last year in Las Vegas and convinced Cowin to tag along with her this year.
“From the perspective I heard from Lynn was that she had so much fun last year,” Cowin said. “Then this year, she was telling me, ‘Vickie, you absolutely need to come to the tournament and bowl with our team.’”
Both Neuenswander and Cowin are looking forward to traveling to Mooresville, North Carolina, for next year’s Women’s Championships.
Sapphire Doubles includes bowlers with combined entering averages of 270 and below.
The Women’s Championships is celebrating its 106th edition in 2026 and making its sixth trip to Las Vegas. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 16,000 bowlers and 4,200 four-player teams competing across 65 consecutive days at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.