Hulsenberg rolls 300 game at 2019 USBC Women's Championships
May 15, 2019
By Katie Smith
USBC Communications
WICHITA, Kan. - United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Leanne Hulsenberg of Pleasant View, Utah, already had a big day planned before lacing up Wednesday at the 2019 USBC Women's Championships for her doubles and singles set, and she added onto what will be a day to remember by rolling a perfect game at the 100th edition of the event.
Hulsenberg, a 27-time Professional Women's Bowling Association Tour champion, will be inducted into the PWBA Hall of Fame on Wednesday at 9 p.m. Eastern in Wichita, and the ceremony will be streamed live at BowlTV.com.
The five-time Women's Championships titlist started competition off slow at Northrock Lanes on Wednesday, rolling 188, before connecting for the fourth 300 game of the 2019 event. She finished with 259 for a 747 series, and the effort helped push Hulsenberg and Blair Blumenscheid of Columbus, Ohio, into third place in Diamond Doubles with 1,409.
Lauren Pate of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, and Jordan Newham of Aurora, Illinois, lead with 1,417.
Hulsenberg also added sets of 707 in singles and 689 in team to move into third place in Diamond All-Events with 2,143. USBC Hall of Famer Kelly Kulick of Union, New Jersey, leads with 2,211.
"In my 180 game, I had two splits but felt like I was lined up," said Hulsenberg, who made her 33rd tournament appearance. "I just wasn't loose enough to make a good shot every time. The right lane hooked more, so you just kind of get a feel for it to get dialed in and things got better from there."
While working toward her 300 game, Hulsenberg was working to make solid shots straight to the pocket.
"I was just trying to make good shots," Hulsenberg said. "I was really comfortable on the lane. I was starting to get a little nervous, with people watch and stuff. I actually was thinking that I hadn't bowled 300 in a long time, so it'd be really nice to roll 300 at the Women's Championships."
Hulsenberg's 300 also helped her join USBC Hall of Famer Dede Davidson as the only bowlers at the Women's Championships to roll both a 300 game and 800 series on the championship lanes. Hulsenberg rolled an 804 series during her team event at the 2007 tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina, on the way to claiming the Classic Team title.
Hulsenberg now will join fellow USBC Hall of Famer Wendy Macpherson and Donna Conners in Wichita to comprise the first class of the PWBA Hall of Fame in 16 years.
"The 300 is a good sign for today," Hulsenberg said. "I can't lie and say I'll be happy when today's over - I'll be relieved when today is over. As nervous as I'll be to stand up there and give a speech, it still will be nice to enjoy the moment. To have my family, the past hall of famers and bowling industry there will make for a great celebration of women's bowling."
Diamond Doubles features bowlers with combined entering averages of 380 and above, while Diamond All-Events consists of competitors with entering averages of 190 and above.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women's Championships page.
USBC Communications
WICHITA, Kan. - United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Leanne Hulsenberg of Pleasant View, Utah, already had a big day planned before lacing up Wednesday at the 2019 USBC Women's Championships for her doubles and singles set, and she added onto what will be a day to remember by rolling a perfect game at the 100th edition of the event.
Hulsenberg, a 27-time Professional Women's Bowling Association Tour champion, will be inducted into the PWBA Hall of Fame on Wednesday at 9 p.m. Eastern in Wichita, and the ceremony will be streamed live at BowlTV.com.
The five-time Women's Championships titlist started competition off slow at Northrock Lanes on Wednesday, rolling 188, before connecting for the fourth 300 game of the 2019 event. She finished with 259 for a 747 series, and the effort helped push Hulsenberg and Blair Blumenscheid of Columbus, Ohio, into third place in Diamond Doubles with 1,409.
Lauren Pate of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, and Jordan Newham of Aurora, Illinois, lead with 1,417.
Hulsenberg also added sets of 707 in singles and 689 in team to move into third place in Diamond All-Events with 2,143. USBC Hall of Famer Kelly Kulick of Union, New Jersey, leads with 2,211.
"In my 180 game, I had two splits but felt like I was lined up," said Hulsenberg, who made her 33rd tournament appearance. "I just wasn't loose enough to make a good shot every time. The right lane hooked more, so you just kind of get a feel for it to get dialed in and things got better from there."
While working toward her 300 game, Hulsenberg was working to make solid shots straight to the pocket.
"I was just trying to make good shots," Hulsenberg said. "I was really comfortable on the lane. I was starting to get a little nervous, with people watch and stuff. I actually was thinking that I hadn't bowled 300 in a long time, so it'd be really nice to roll 300 at the Women's Championships."
Hulsenberg's 300 also helped her join USBC Hall of Famer Dede Davidson as the only bowlers at the Women's Championships to roll both a 300 game and 800 series on the championship lanes. Hulsenberg rolled an 804 series during her team event at the 2007 tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina, on the way to claiming the Classic Team title.
Hulsenberg now will join fellow USBC Hall of Famer Wendy Macpherson and Donna Conners in Wichita to comprise the first class of the PWBA Hall of Fame in 16 years.
"The 300 is a good sign for today," Hulsenberg said. "I can't lie and say I'll be happy when today's over - I'll be relieved when today is over. As nervous as I'll be to stand up there and give a speech, it still will be nice to enjoy the moment. To have my family, the past hall of famers and bowling industry there will make for a great celebration of women's bowling."
Diamond Doubles features bowlers with combined entering averages of 380 and above, while Diamond All-Events consists of competitors with entering averages of 190 and above.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women's Championships page.