Champions crowned at 2026 USBC Senior Championships
August 08, 2026
2026 PHOTO GALLERY
FULL RESULTS
GREEN BAY, Wis. – After three hard-fought days of competition at The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley, 12 winners emerged Friday at the 2026 United States Bowling Congress Senior Championships.
Nearly 400 athletes age 50 and older traveled to Wisconsin from across the United States and Canada to participate in the 2026 event after earning spots through either a state or province senior tournament.
Competition was held across two divisions – Open and Women’s – in six age-based classifications – 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75 and older.
Qualifying consisted of six games over Wednesday and Thursday to determine Friday’s finalists. The top six scores in each division, including handicap, advanced to the championship round.
Pinfall dropped for all finalists, but they received bonus pins based on their qualifying positions. The top qualifier in each division received 50 bonus pins, while the second seed was given 40 bonus pins. The bonus pins continued to decrease by 10 for each qualifying position.
The 2026 champions were determined based on total pinfall for Friday’s three games, including handicap and bonus pins.
WOMEN’S DIVISION:
50-54:
Karena Miller of Eden, South Dakota, finished her first Senior Championships in style, posting a score of 807 (563 scratch; 204 handicap; 40 bonus pins) at Ashwaubenon on Friday to capture the division title.
Miller, who entered Friday’s final round as the No. 2 seed in the Women’s 50-54 field, accomplished the feat by rolling scratch games of 207, 158 and 198.
According to Miller, the key to victory was focusing on the experience rather than the outcome.
“I just tried to make sure I had fun while I was rolling, and I made it,” Miller said.
She certainly did, and now she’s looking forward to celebrating Friday’s victory with her friends back home.
“This is all pretty new, so I don’t really know how I feel yet,” Miller said. “I’m just going to go back home and enjoy getting back on the lanes with my league team.”
Alma Bossaer of Attica, Indiana, placed second with 790, which left third place for L’Ree Hebert of New Iberia, Louisiana, who finished Friday’s final round with 761.
55-59:
Terry Slingerland of Colchester, Vermont, didn’t feel like she put her best foot forward during her first Senior Championships appearance, so she made the most of her second by posting a score of 724 on Friday to capture first place in her division.
Slingerland was the top seed for the finals, and it didn’t take long to see why on Friday as she recorded games of 156, 182 and 180 for a 518 scratch score and added 156 pins of handicap and 50 bonus pins.
According to Slingerland, comfort was the key to this year’s victory.
“Since I’d bowled this tournament once before, I was much more comfortable this time around,” Slingerland said. “It really hasn’t sunk in yet that I won a national title, but it will probably start to during the 17-hour drive home.”
Katherine Ng of Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, was the division runner-up with a score of 701, while Donna Tilleman of Havre, Montana, placed third with 696.
60-64:
Vicki Mader of Crawford, Nebraska, had experienced Senior Championships success prior to this year’s event as she already had a second-place finish on her resume. Although that performance was impressive, Mader did herself one better at Ashwaubenon on Friday, coming in with a score of 729 to reach the top of the podium as this year’s division champion.
Mader, the Women’s 60-64 No. 3 seed, showed steady improvement throughout Friday’s finals, rolling scratch scores of 129, 143 and 199 for a 471 series. To that total, she added 228 pins of handicap and 30 bonus pins from qualifying.
The battle for the top spot was close from start to finish, so Mader wasn’t sure how the results were going to shake out; nevertheless, she was obviously pleased with the outcome.
“I was pretty focused, but I didn’t really think I’d done it,” Mader said. “It feels great to come out on top. We’re going to drive as far as Iowa today and then go the rest of the way to Nebraska tomorrow, so we’ll probably celebrate along the way.”
Alethia Donathan of Mililani, Hawaii, was just nine pins behind Mader, placing second with 720. Sally Hill of St. Louis landed in third place with 711.
65-69:
Mary Jo Henk of Monument, Colorado, had no prior Senior Championships experience to draw upon as this year’s event marked her first tournament appearance. She certainly didn’t appear to be intimidated during Friday’s final round, however, as she posted a score of 720 to emerge as this year’s division champion.
Henk entered the finals as the No. 2 seed but ascended to the top spot by day’s end thanks to games of 154, 162 and 214 for a 530 scratch total. She added 150 pins of handicap and 40 bonus pins to finish first by a narrow margin of just four pins.
It was a pressure-packed day to be sure, but Henk just relied on what she’s been taught on the practice lanes.
“I’ve had a couple lessons, so I just kept hearing that voice in my head saying, ‘walk straight and hold the ball right,’” Henk said. “Winning today feels pretty awesome because I guess it shows that all of that work has paid off.”
Top seed Cindy Schell of Valentine, Nebraska, walked away with second place thanks to a score of 716. Third place went to Cathy Wild of Reeds Spring, Missouri, who finished with 699.
70-74:
Cindy Pate of Lafayette, Louisiana, authored the top score in her division on Friday, finishing with an overall mark of 730.
Pate, who came to the finals as the No. 2 seed and with 40 bonus pins to her credit, rolled scratch games of 168, 193 and 188 for a 549 total. She added 141 pins of handicap and the aforementioned bonus pins to breeze to this year’s title.
The victory came at an opportune time as Pate is planning on taking a bit of a hiatus from competition.
“I said this was going to be my last hurrah because I’m giving up bowling for a while due to some injuries,” Pate said. “Some of the people back home sort of twisted my arm to get me to bowl this year, so I figured I was just going to give it my best. Well, here I am, so I guess the turtle wins the race.”
Charlotte Winklepleck of Strasburg, Colorado, finished runner-up to Pate with 671 on Friday, and Mandie Theus of Missouri City, Texas, took third with 661.
75 and older:
Janet Steiner of Buena Vista, Colorado, also went the slow and steady route, placing 13th after Day 1 of qualifying, moving up to fourth on Thursday and ending Friday’s final round as division champion with a winning total of 720.
Steiner posted games of 182, 184 and 163 at Ashwaubenon on Friday for a scratch series of 529. To that mark, Steiner added 171 pins of handicap and 20 bonus pins.
Hoisting the trophy wasn’t necessarily what Steiner expected, but it was an experience she was pleased to have had, nonetheless.
“I’m not sure how to feel right now because it’s still so new,” Steiner said. “Winning was kind of a surprise, but it’s definitely one of the better surprises I could have.”
Patricia Leroux of Doniphan, Missouri, placed second with 679, while Susan Axtell of Eagle River, Alaska, ended Friday’s action in third place with 672.
OPEN DIVISION:
50-54:
Rickie Banister of Peyton, Colorado, was locked in from start to finish during this year’s Senior Championships, so it came as no surprise when he posted a 788 total on Friday to walk away with first place in the division standings.
As top seed, Banister began the finals with 50 bonus pins. That’s the only boost he’d get, however, as he received no handicap at this year’s tournament. It was of little consequence though as Bannister rolled games of 246, 245 and 247 during the finals for an impressive scratch total of 738. That mark, along with the bonus pins, was more than enough to give Banister this year’s crown.
For Banister, the win is extra gratifying because he will be able to share it with the athletes he coaches back home.
“I really have to thank God because it’s definitely not easy to win this event with zero handicap, but I put in the practice,” Banister said. “I run the high school bowling program in Colorado Springs, so now I’m going to go back and show my kids what practice gets you.”
Michael Palser of Julesburg, Colorado, ended the day in second place with 749, and Oliver Marasigan of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, was third with 702.
55-59:
A ninth- and 10th-frame roll-off was needed to determine the division champion, but Paul Zettlmeier of Fowler, Indiana, was up to the task, topping Robert Leroux of Rangeley, Maine, by a score of 40-26 during the extra session to capture the division title after the two ended Friday’s three games of final-round action deadlocked at 735.
Zettlmeier reached that mark thanks to games of 185, 215 and 185, which gave him a scratch score of 585. To that tally, Zettlmeier added 135 pins of handicap and 15 bonus pins for having been the No. 4 seed for the finals.
Having to bowl two extra frames to reach the winner’s circle was certainly stressful, but Zettlmeier is not one to back down from a challenge.
“I have to give all the glory to God for what happened here today. I was diagnosed with cancer back in April and they removed it from me, so I’m glad to be here,” Zettlmeier said. “This was my first ever roll-off and it was for the Senior Championships. It was nerve-racking, but I’m just blessed to be here.”
After falling in the roll-off, Leroux settled for second place, while Roy Vann Esselstine of Howard, Colorado, claimed third with 728.
60-64:
Mathew Stegeman of Ogallala, Nebraska, made the most of his first Senior Championships appearance, winning his division thanks to a 792 total on Friday.
Stegeman recorded scores of 178, 237 and 183 during the finals for a scratch series of 598. He added 144 pins of handicap and 50 bonus pins for being the division’s top qualifier to finish nearly 60 pins ahead of his closest pursuer.
Friday’s win at Ashwaubenon meant a lot to Stegeman, who has battled substantial injuries throughout his bowling career.
“It’s great to actually be able to bowl like I know I can bowl again,” Stegeman said. “This is my first championship, and it doesn’t get much better than that. This trophy is going in my office.”
Second place in the division went to Ken Reagan of Tell City, Indiana, with 734. Barry Slater of Locust, North Carolina, finished third with 690.
65-69:
Steve Butler of Fowler, Indiana, did just enough to come out on top Friday, finishing with a 750 total to collect a six-pin victory over Michael Brown of Hooksett, New Hampshire (744), and become this year’s division champion.
Butler earned that title by being consistent, authoring games of 185, 184 and 187 for a scratch total of 556 at Ashwaubenon. Butler added 144 pins of handicap and 50 bonus pins – Butler was the division’s top seed for the finals – to establish the winning mark.
Speaking of marks, they were Butler’s primary focus throughout this year’s tournament.
“I just tried to stay clean,” Butler said. “The strikes may come, but if you stay clean, you have a chance. That’s all I wanted to do, have a chance.”
Butler made the most of that chance and paid it off with a national title that he will cherish forever.
“I want to cry because I just can’t believe this,” Butler said. “Give God the glory because I’m just in awe; I can’t believe it.”
Brown secured the runner-up finish, and Gene Craig of Monroe, North Carolina, was third with 691.
70-74:
After three near misses, David Long of Durham, North Carolina, finally collected his first Senior Championships title, posting a solid score of 778 at Ashwaubenon on Friday to become division champion.
Long came out firing during the finals, starting his set with an impressive 215. His pace slowed a bit from there as he finished the round with games of 182 and 148; nevertheless, his 545 scratch total, 183 pins of handicap and 50 bonus pins as the division’s No. 1 seed were enough to help Long reach the winner’s circle for the first time.
The accomplishment was special not only because of what it meant to Long but also because of the example he hopes it sets for his loved ones.
“This is for my grandkids because I always tell them to play hard, play smart and, most important, have fun,” Long said. “I hope this win helps instill that in them even more.”
Clifton Southam of Vernal, Utah, was second with 746, and John Hill of Chanhassen, Minnesota, came in third place with 701.
75 and older:
George Gambee of Welches, Oregon, began Friday’s final round as the division’s top seed. After three games, he became its champion thanks to a 756 total.
Gambee was consistent throughout his final set at Ashwaubenon, posting games of 176, 164 and 180 for a scratch series of 520. To that total, Gambee added 186 pins of handicap and the 50 bonus pins he earned by leading the division during qualifying.
This year’s tournament marked Gambee’s first time competing at the Senior Championships. Joining the ranks of its champions is an accomplishment that already mean a great deal to Gambee.
“This is the best win that I’ve ever had, and it will probably stay that way,” Gambee said. “To get here took practice, more practice and a lot of prayers.”
Robert Usagawa of Hilo, Hawaii, was second with 706, and Ken Eby of East Peoria, Illinois, placed third with 688.
The 2027 Senior Championships is slated for Aug. 3-6 at Stardust Bowl in Addison, Illinois.
CLICK HERE for more information on the USBC Senior Championships.
FULL RESULTS
GREEN BAY, Wis. – After three hard-fought days of competition at The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley, 12 winners emerged Friday at the 2026 United States Bowling Congress Senior Championships.
Nearly 400 athletes age 50 and older traveled to Wisconsin from across the United States and Canada to participate in the 2026 event after earning spots through either a state or province senior tournament.
Competition was held across two divisions – Open and Women’s – in six age-based classifications – 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75 and older.
Qualifying consisted of six games over Wednesday and Thursday to determine Friday’s finalists. The top six scores in each division, including handicap, advanced to the championship round.
Pinfall dropped for all finalists, but they received bonus pins based on their qualifying positions. The top qualifier in each division received 50 bonus pins, while the second seed was given 40 bonus pins. The bonus pins continued to decrease by 10 for each qualifying position.
The 2026 champions were determined based on total pinfall for Friday’s three games, including handicap and bonus pins.
WOMEN’S DIVISION:
50-54:
Karena Miller of Eden, South Dakota, finished her first Senior Championships in style, posting a score of 807 (563 scratch; 204 handicap; 40 bonus pins) at Ashwaubenon on Friday to capture the division title.
Miller, who entered Friday’s final round as the No. 2 seed in the Women’s 50-54 field, accomplished the feat by rolling scratch games of 207, 158 and 198.
According to Miller, the key to victory was focusing on the experience rather than the outcome.
“I just tried to make sure I had fun while I was rolling, and I made it,” Miller said.
She certainly did, and now she’s looking forward to celebrating Friday’s victory with her friends back home.
“This is all pretty new, so I don’t really know how I feel yet,” Miller said. “I’m just going to go back home and enjoy getting back on the lanes with my league team.”
Alma Bossaer of Attica, Indiana, placed second with 790, which left third place for L’Ree Hebert of New Iberia, Louisiana, who finished Friday’s final round with 761.
55-59:
Terry Slingerland of Colchester, Vermont, didn’t feel like she put her best foot forward during her first Senior Championships appearance, so she made the most of her second by posting a score of 724 on Friday to capture first place in her division.
Slingerland was the top seed for the finals, and it didn’t take long to see why on Friday as she recorded games of 156, 182 and 180 for a 518 scratch score and added 156 pins of handicap and 50 bonus pins.
According to Slingerland, comfort was the key to this year’s victory.
“Since I’d bowled this tournament once before, I was much more comfortable this time around,” Slingerland said. “It really hasn’t sunk in yet that I won a national title, but it will probably start to during the 17-hour drive home.”
Katherine Ng of Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, was the division runner-up with a score of 701, while Donna Tilleman of Havre, Montana, placed third with 696.
60-64:
Vicki Mader of Crawford, Nebraska, had experienced Senior Championships success prior to this year’s event as she already had a second-place finish on her resume. Although that performance was impressive, Mader did herself one better at Ashwaubenon on Friday, coming in with a score of 729 to reach the top of the podium as this year’s division champion.
Mader, the Women’s 60-64 No. 3 seed, showed steady improvement throughout Friday’s finals, rolling scratch scores of 129, 143 and 199 for a 471 series. To that total, she added 228 pins of handicap and 30 bonus pins from qualifying.
The battle for the top spot was close from start to finish, so Mader wasn’t sure how the results were going to shake out; nevertheless, she was obviously pleased with the outcome.
“I was pretty focused, but I didn’t really think I’d done it,” Mader said. “It feels great to come out on top. We’re going to drive as far as Iowa today and then go the rest of the way to Nebraska tomorrow, so we’ll probably celebrate along the way.”
Alethia Donathan of Mililani, Hawaii, was just nine pins behind Mader, placing second with 720. Sally Hill of St. Louis landed in third place with 711.
65-69:
Mary Jo Henk of Monument, Colorado, had no prior Senior Championships experience to draw upon as this year’s event marked her first tournament appearance. She certainly didn’t appear to be intimidated during Friday’s final round, however, as she posted a score of 720 to emerge as this year’s division champion.
Henk entered the finals as the No. 2 seed but ascended to the top spot by day’s end thanks to games of 154, 162 and 214 for a 530 scratch total. She added 150 pins of handicap and 40 bonus pins to finish first by a narrow margin of just four pins.
It was a pressure-packed day to be sure, but Henk just relied on what she’s been taught on the practice lanes.
“I’ve had a couple lessons, so I just kept hearing that voice in my head saying, ‘walk straight and hold the ball right,’” Henk said. “Winning today feels pretty awesome because I guess it shows that all of that work has paid off.”
Top seed Cindy Schell of Valentine, Nebraska, walked away with second place thanks to a score of 716. Third place went to Cathy Wild of Reeds Spring, Missouri, who finished with 699.
70-74:
Cindy Pate of Lafayette, Louisiana, authored the top score in her division on Friday, finishing with an overall mark of 730.
Pate, who came to the finals as the No. 2 seed and with 40 bonus pins to her credit, rolled scratch games of 168, 193 and 188 for a 549 total. She added 141 pins of handicap and the aforementioned bonus pins to breeze to this year’s title.
The victory came at an opportune time as Pate is planning on taking a bit of a hiatus from competition.
“I said this was going to be my last hurrah because I’m giving up bowling for a while due to some injuries,” Pate said. “Some of the people back home sort of twisted my arm to get me to bowl this year, so I figured I was just going to give it my best. Well, here I am, so I guess the turtle wins the race.”
Charlotte Winklepleck of Strasburg, Colorado, finished runner-up to Pate with 671 on Friday, and Mandie Theus of Missouri City, Texas, took third with 661.
75 and older:
Janet Steiner of Buena Vista, Colorado, also went the slow and steady route, placing 13th after Day 1 of qualifying, moving up to fourth on Thursday and ending Friday’s final round as division champion with a winning total of 720.
Steiner posted games of 182, 184 and 163 at Ashwaubenon on Friday for a scratch series of 529. To that mark, Steiner added 171 pins of handicap and 20 bonus pins.
Hoisting the trophy wasn’t necessarily what Steiner expected, but it was an experience she was pleased to have had, nonetheless.
“I’m not sure how to feel right now because it’s still so new,” Steiner said. “Winning was kind of a surprise, but it’s definitely one of the better surprises I could have.”
Patricia Leroux of Doniphan, Missouri, placed second with 679, while Susan Axtell of Eagle River, Alaska, ended Friday’s action in third place with 672.
OPEN DIVISION:
50-54:
Rickie Banister of Peyton, Colorado, was locked in from start to finish during this year’s Senior Championships, so it came as no surprise when he posted a 788 total on Friday to walk away with first place in the division standings.
As top seed, Banister began the finals with 50 bonus pins. That’s the only boost he’d get, however, as he received no handicap at this year’s tournament. It was of little consequence though as Bannister rolled games of 246, 245 and 247 during the finals for an impressive scratch total of 738. That mark, along with the bonus pins, was more than enough to give Banister this year’s crown.
For Banister, the win is extra gratifying because he will be able to share it with the athletes he coaches back home.
“I really have to thank God because it’s definitely not easy to win this event with zero handicap, but I put in the practice,” Banister said. “I run the high school bowling program in Colorado Springs, so now I’m going to go back and show my kids what practice gets you.”
Michael Palser of Julesburg, Colorado, ended the day in second place with 749, and Oliver Marasigan of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, was third with 702.
55-59:
A ninth- and 10th-frame roll-off was needed to determine the division champion, but Paul Zettlmeier of Fowler, Indiana, was up to the task, topping Robert Leroux of Rangeley, Maine, by a score of 40-26 during the extra session to capture the division title after the two ended Friday’s three games of final-round action deadlocked at 735.
Zettlmeier reached that mark thanks to games of 185, 215 and 185, which gave him a scratch score of 585. To that tally, Zettlmeier added 135 pins of handicap and 15 bonus pins for having been the No. 4 seed for the finals.
Having to bowl two extra frames to reach the winner’s circle was certainly stressful, but Zettlmeier is not one to back down from a challenge.
“I have to give all the glory to God for what happened here today. I was diagnosed with cancer back in April and they removed it from me, so I’m glad to be here,” Zettlmeier said. “This was my first ever roll-off and it was for the Senior Championships. It was nerve-racking, but I’m just blessed to be here.”
After falling in the roll-off, Leroux settled for second place, while Roy Vann Esselstine of Howard, Colorado, claimed third with 728.
60-64:
Mathew Stegeman of Ogallala, Nebraska, made the most of his first Senior Championships appearance, winning his division thanks to a 792 total on Friday.
Stegeman recorded scores of 178, 237 and 183 during the finals for a scratch series of 598. He added 144 pins of handicap and 50 bonus pins for being the division’s top qualifier to finish nearly 60 pins ahead of his closest pursuer.
Friday’s win at Ashwaubenon meant a lot to Stegeman, who has battled substantial injuries throughout his bowling career.
“It’s great to actually be able to bowl like I know I can bowl again,” Stegeman said. “This is my first championship, and it doesn’t get much better than that. This trophy is going in my office.”
Second place in the division went to Ken Reagan of Tell City, Indiana, with 734. Barry Slater of Locust, North Carolina, finished third with 690.
65-69:
Steve Butler of Fowler, Indiana, did just enough to come out on top Friday, finishing with a 750 total to collect a six-pin victory over Michael Brown of Hooksett, New Hampshire (744), and become this year’s division champion.
Butler earned that title by being consistent, authoring games of 185, 184 and 187 for a scratch total of 556 at Ashwaubenon. Butler added 144 pins of handicap and 50 bonus pins – Butler was the division’s top seed for the finals – to establish the winning mark.
Speaking of marks, they were Butler’s primary focus throughout this year’s tournament.
“I just tried to stay clean,” Butler said. “The strikes may come, but if you stay clean, you have a chance. That’s all I wanted to do, have a chance.”
Butler made the most of that chance and paid it off with a national title that he will cherish forever.
“I want to cry because I just can’t believe this,” Butler said. “Give God the glory because I’m just in awe; I can’t believe it.”
Brown secured the runner-up finish, and Gene Craig of Monroe, North Carolina, was third with 691.
70-74:
After three near misses, David Long of Durham, North Carolina, finally collected his first Senior Championships title, posting a solid score of 778 at Ashwaubenon on Friday to become division champion.
Long came out firing during the finals, starting his set with an impressive 215. His pace slowed a bit from there as he finished the round with games of 182 and 148; nevertheless, his 545 scratch total, 183 pins of handicap and 50 bonus pins as the division’s No. 1 seed were enough to help Long reach the winner’s circle for the first time.
The accomplishment was special not only because of what it meant to Long but also because of the example he hopes it sets for his loved ones.
“This is for my grandkids because I always tell them to play hard, play smart and, most important, have fun,” Long said. “I hope this win helps instill that in them even more.”
Clifton Southam of Vernal, Utah, was second with 746, and John Hill of Chanhassen, Minnesota, came in third place with 701.
75 and older:
George Gambee of Welches, Oregon, began Friday’s final round as the division’s top seed. After three games, he became its champion thanks to a 756 total.
Gambee was consistent throughout his final set at Ashwaubenon, posting games of 176, 164 and 180 for a scratch series of 520. To that total, Gambee added 186 pins of handicap and the 50 bonus pins he earned by leading the division during qualifying.
This year’s tournament marked Gambee’s first time competing at the Senior Championships. Joining the ranks of its champions is an accomplishment that already mean a great deal to Gambee.
“This is the best win that I’ve ever had, and it will probably stay that way,” Gambee said. “To get here took practice, more practice and a lot of prayers.”
Robert Usagawa of Hilo, Hawaii, was second with 706, and Ken Eby of East Peoria, Illinois, placed third with 688.
The 2027 Senior Championships is slated for Aug. 3-6 at Stardust Bowl in Addison, Illinois.
CLICK HERE for more information on the USBC Senior Championships.