Competition underway in Las Vegas for 2025 USBC Women’s Championships
April 27, 2025
LAS VEGAS – The 105th edition of the United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships kicked off Saturday night at the South Point Bowling Plaza, as 56 teams took part in the opening festivities.
The 2025 event is scheduled to run across 72 days and conclude July 6. The tournament is expected to welcome more than 4,100 teams and over 16,000 bowlers to Las Vegas to compete for titles across four average-based divisions (Diamond, Ruby, Emerald and Sapphire) in team, doubles, singles and all-events. New to the USBC Women’s Championships in 2025 is the addition of Team All-Events, which recognizes the top team performance across team, doubles and singles competition.
An opening ceremony took place prior to the start of the first squad Saturday, featuring local and bowling dignitaries welcoming the tournament back to Las Vegas for the fifth time.
Speakers for the ceremony included South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa General Manager Ryan Growney, Las Vegas Events President Tim Keener and USBC Deputy Executive Director Jason Overstreet.
The excitement from the ceremony also featured a ribbon-cutting, the Mass Ball Shot and the ceremonial first ball, delivered by Lisabeth Barthel of Los Alamos, New Mexico. Barthel, who made her 25th tournament appearance, and her teammates – Janice Sanchez, Frieda Gonzales and Cheryl Warren – were selected as the honorary grand marshals to lead the first squad of the 2025 Women’s Championships to the lanes.
“It was really special (to throw the first shot),” Barthel said. “I really appreciated the opportunity to do it.”
The opening squad also had some great scores, as the members of Do Work of Maricopa, Arizona, led the way in the Diamond Division. Do Work had team games of 899, 824 and 899 for a 2,622 total, led by Karissa Tafoya’s 747 series. Tafoya was joined by Trinette Green (623), Shirley Stahl (617) and Malika Gilbert-Jones (635).
The team instantly highlighted Green as someone who brought the energy, where each shot saw cheers and high-fives no matter the result.
“I think I’m kind of the glue and mutual friend of the team,” said Green, who made her fourth appearance at the Women’s Championships. “We come from all over, and my energy really helped us shoot well.”
The combined energy worked in their favor Saturday, and they hope it continues into doubles and singles Sunday.
Four bowlers also are scheduled to make their 50th appearance at the 2025 Women’s Championships – Joyce Dixon of Mesa, Arizona; Theresa Fellows of Bozeman, Montana; Peggy Hawkins of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and Marilyn Smith of Prairieville, Louisiana.
Onalee Kraus of Coldwater, Michigan, also is scheduled for her 63rd appearance. She currently sits in second place on the tournament’s participation list (Mini Tvaska holds the participation record with 67 appearances).
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women’s Championships page.
The 2025 event is scheduled to run across 72 days and conclude July 6. The tournament is expected to welcome more than 4,100 teams and over 16,000 bowlers to Las Vegas to compete for titles across four average-based divisions (Diamond, Ruby, Emerald and Sapphire) in team, doubles, singles and all-events. New to the USBC Women’s Championships in 2025 is the addition of Team All-Events, which recognizes the top team performance across team, doubles and singles competition.
An opening ceremony took place prior to the start of the first squad Saturday, featuring local and bowling dignitaries welcoming the tournament back to Las Vegas for the fifth time.
Speakers for the ceremony included South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa General Manager Ryan Growney, Las Vegas Events President Tim Keener and USBC Deputy Executive Director Jason Overstreet.
The excitement from the ceremony also featured a ribbon-cutting, the Mass Ball Shot and the ceremonial first ball, delivered by Lisabeth Barthel of Los Alamos, New Mexico. Barthel, who made her 25th tournament appearance, and her teammates – Janice Sanchez, Frieda Gonzales and Cheryl Warren – were selected as the honorary grand marshals to lead the first squad of the 2025 Women’s Championships to the lanes.
“It was really special (to throw the first shot),” Barthel said. “I really appreciated the opportunity to do it.”
The opening squad also had some great scores, as the members of Do Work of Maricopa, Arizona, led the way in the Diamond Division. Do Work had team games of 899, 824 and 899 for a 2,622 total, led by Karissa Tafoya’s 747 series. Tafoya was joined by Trinette Green (623), Shirley Stahl (617) and Malika Gilbert-Jones (635).
The team instantly highlighted Green as someone who brought the energy, where each shot saw cheers and high-fives no matter the result.
“I think I’m kind of the glue and mutual friend of the team,” said Green, who made her fourth appearance at the Women’s Championships. “We come from all over, and my energy really helped us shoot well.”
The combined energy worked in their favor Saturday, and they hope it continues into doubles and singles Sunday.
Four bowlers also are scheduled to make their 50th appearance at the 2025 Women’s Championships – Joyce Dixon of Mesa, Arizona; Theresa Fellows of Bozeman, Montana; Peggy Hawkins of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and Marilyn Smith of Prairieville, Louisiana.
Onalee Kraus of Coldwater, Michigan, also is scheduled for her 63rd appearance. She currently sits in second place on the tournament’s participation list (Mini Tvaska holds the participation record with 67 appearances).
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women’s Championships page.