Franklin leads Diamond Singles at 2024 USBC Women’s Championships
May 31, 2024
RENO, Nev. – Genie Franklin of Frisco, Texas, was locked in at the 2024 United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships on Thursday as she took the lead for Diamond Singles.
Franklin averaged 260 for her three games in singles at the National Bowling Stadium and now has the new leading score of 780 after games of 246, 276 and 258. Nanette Gamboa of El Paso, Texas, previously held the top spot in Diamond Singles with 771.
She was putting up impressive scores one after the other during her 29th tournament appearance, and it showed that the hard work she’s put in is paying off. Franklin added scores of 683 in doubles and 662 in team to also take over fifth place in Diamond All-Events with a 2,125 total.
Kayla Pashina of Otsego, Minnesota, leads Diamond All-Events at the 2024 USBC Women’s Championships with 2,198.
“I don’t even know what to say – you always want to come out and bowl well,” Franklin said. “I was throwing it well in team last night and shot a 660, and I had 680 in doubles and stayed the same. I didn’t have to move, used the same ball and it all worked.”
Being able to keep up the pace by staying on track was a key move for Franklin to secure the lead.
In her final game, she started with a spare before posting five consecutive strikes. She spared again in the seventh frame and delivered a double going into the 10th.
She needed to add one more strike to start the final frame for the chance to take the lead, and Franklin was able to connect for her 26th strike of the set. She followed with a nine count and spare to close her series.
“After I shot that 240, then 270 – I knew I could do this,” Franklin said. “Once you get a lucky break, they just carry the score higher. The bowling gods were with me.”
Alongside Franklin during this run were her teammates, who shared that momentum with her. This made the experience more motivating for Franklin, since they were also pushing for success.
The members of Kameleon Sportswear – Franklin, Sandi Charles, Kiyoko McDonald and former Team USA member Tina Williams – were looking to have a good time and bowl well during their annual appearance at the Women’s Championships. Making a run at the lead is what they want to achieve when ending their run at the tournament.
“We were all bowling well and all kind of in the same zone helping each other,” Franklin said. “We’ve been bowling for the last 10 or 15 years, so this has been our team for a while. We come out here and have a good time – it’s our chance to see each other. We’re very competitive, and we’re now in the top 12 for team.”
Taking the lead is certainly something major to celebrate for each bowler, knowing that they have accomplished what they set out to achieve. Keeping that high score at the top of the standings ultimately will give them the title at the end of the Women’s Championships, and it’s a moment that bowlers look forward to and hope to receive.
When asked about possibly winning the title, Franklin said, “I’ve gotten second- and third-place in doubles and singles before. Now, I have to wait, but winning this would check that box. This would mean a lot to me.”
Looking toward the future, Franklin is wanting to compete in more events and continue to push her game.
“I’m getting ready to start focusing on bowling the women’s senior events, bowling some of the PBA50 this summer, the Ron Mohr tournament in the fall, gearing up for the Golden Ladies and Senior Queens in the future,” Franklin said. “I’ve been really practicing a lot over time.”
Asking about her overall experience, the Texas bowler said, “It’s always fun to come here. I love Reno, and all my top scores are here. I love Reno, and it loves me!”
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women’s Championships page.
Franklin averaged 260 for her three games in singles at the National Bowling Stadium and now has the new leading score of 780 after games of 246, 276 and 258. Nanette Gamboa of El Paso, Texas, previously held the top spot in Diamond Singles with 771.
She was putting up impressive scores one after the other during her 29th tournament appearance, and it showed that the hard work she’s put in is paying off. Franklin added scores of 683 in doubles and 662 in team to also take over fifth place in Diamond All-Events with a 2,125 total.
Kayla Pashina of Otsego, Minnesota, leads Diamond All-Events at the 2024 USBC Women’s Championships with 2,198.
“I don’t even know what to say – you always want to come out and bowl well,” Franklin said. “I was throwing it well in team last night and shot a 660, and I had 680 in doubles and stayed the same. I didn’t have to move, used the same ball and it all worked.”
Being able to keep up the pace by staying on track was a key move for Franklin to secure the lead.
In her final game, she started with a spare before posting five consecutive strikes. She spared again in the seventh frame and delivered a double going into the 10th.
She needed to add one more strike to start the final frame for the chance to take the lead, and Franklin was able to connect for her 26th strike of the set. She followed with a nine count and spare to close her series.
“After I shot that 240, then 270 – I knew I could do this,” Franklin said. “Once you get a lucky break, they just carry the score higher. The bowling gods were with me.”
Alongside Franklin during this run were her teammates, who shared that momentum with her. This made the experience more motivating for Franklin, since they were also pushing for success.
The members of Kameleon Sportswear – Franklin, Sandi Charles, Kiyoko McDonald and former Team USA member Tina Williams – were looking to have a good time and bowl well during their annual appearance at the Women’s Championships. Making a run at the lead is what they want to achieve when ending their run at the tournament.
“We were all bowling well and all kind of in the same zone helping each other,” Franklin said. “We’ve been bowling for the last 10 or 15 years, so this has been our team for a while. We come out here and have a good time – it’s our chance to see each other. We’re very competitive, and we’re now in the top 12 for team.”
Taking the lead is certainly something major to celebrate for each bowler, knowing that they have accomplished what they set out to achieve. Keeping that high score at the top of the standings ultimately will give them the title at the end of the Women’s Championships, and it’s a moment that bowlers look forward to and hope to receive.
When asked about possibly winning the title, Franklin said, “I’ve gotten second- and third-place in doubles and singles before. Now, I have to wait, but winning this would check that box. This would mean a lot to me.”
Looking toward the future, Franklin is wanting to compete in more events and continue to push her game.
“I’m getting ready to start focusing on bowling the women’s senior events, bowling some of the PBA50 this summer, the Ron Mohr tournament in the fall, gearing up for the Golden Ladies and Senior Queens in the future,” Franklin said. “I’ve been really practicing a lot over time.”
Asking about her overall experience, the Texas bowler said, “It’s always fun to come here. I love Reno, and all my top scores are here. I love Reno, and it loves me!”
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women’s Championships page.