Illinois team shoots lights out at WC

EaglesEdgeProShop2013LARGERENO, Nev. - Even a blackout and 15-minute delay couldn't stop Eagle's Edge Pro Shop of Prospect Heights, Ill., from making a run at the record books Tuesday at the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships.

The group opened the day at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center with a 1,207 effort, the third-highest team game in tournament history, and never looked back, adding 1,063 and 1,087 to cruise into the lead in Scratch Team.

The team's 3,357 scratch total is the second-highest in 94 years of USBC Women's Championships competition,SomeStrikeItHot2013LARGE and an additional 26 pins of handicap per game helped Eagle's Edge Pro Shop move into second place in Diamond Team with 3,435. Some Strike It Hot of Albuquerque, N.M., the defending Diamond Team winner, previously held the Scratch lead with 3,223, and leads Diamond Team with 3,451.

Bowlers Choice Pro Shop of Tonawanda, N.Y., rolled the highest scratch series (3,424) on the way to the Scratch and Diamond Team titles in 2010, and the top two team games on the championship lanes belong to High Roller-Cherry Hill, N.J., of Henderson, Nev., with 1,247 in 2004 and 1,208 in 2002.

"We had so much momentum going before the power went out (halfway through Game 3)," said Joey Biondo, who made her 14th Women's Championships appearance. "I wondered how we would get it back. I looked at the girls and knew we had what it took to get back to that place. It was a go big or go home attitude from there on out."

The members of Eagle's Edge Pro Shop captured the 2011 Diamond Team title with a 3,416 performance (with handicap), while Biondo, a former Team USA member, took home top honors in Diamond All-Events last year at the nearby National Bowling Stadium.

Biondo started her quest for a second consecutive all-events title with games of 246, 236 and 247 for a 729 series in team and was joined by Tracy Luncsford (672), Jonquay Armon (670), Tina Becke (656) and Keri Caduto (630).

With the change to four-player teams scheduled for the 2014 Women's Championships, the chance to go out on top one more time as a five-person team would be a fitting end for the members of Eagle's Edge Pro Shop.

"Considering the circumstances, it would be a fantastic way to go out," said Armon, who also captured the 2001 Classic All-Events title. "We've developed a chemistry to be proud of and showed that today."

Biondo, a 41-year-old right-hander, will continue her all-events quest Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. EDT.

AzaleaLanes2013LARGEOn Monday, Azalea Lanes of Brookings, Ore., moved into the top spot in Ruby Team with a 2,843 total, surpassing Dazed and Confused of Buena Vista, Colo., which previously held the lead with 2,784.

Azalea Lanes fired games of 846, 864 and 839 for a 2,549 scratch total and received an additional 98 pins of handicap per game to reach its leading score.

Ashley Kerr led the way for Azalea Lanes with a 556 series and was joined by Kristin Kerr (550), Karen Kerr (530), Sharon Croucher (469) and Patsy Reynolds (444).

Diamond Team is made up of teams with combined averages of 900 or greater, with handicap being 100 percent of 1,100. Ruby Team features teams with combined averages between 750-899, with handicap being 100 percent of 900.

The top overall scores at the Women's Championships are recognized as Scratch champions.

The 2013 Women's Championships kicked off April 12 and will run for 81 consecutive days, concluding July 1.

Presenting sponsors for the 2013 USBC Women's Championships include Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno.