Johnson wins 2026 USBC Senior Queens to be first repeat winner in a decade
April 19, 2026
Final Standings
LAS VEGAS – Liz Johnson of Niagara Falls, New York, earned her second straight United States Bowling Congress Senior Queens title Sunday afternoon, beating Lynda Barnes of Denton, Texas, twice for the title, 277-258 and 255-244, at Sam’s Town Bowling Center in Las Vegas.
Johnson is the first repeat champion of the event since Robin Romeo’s three-peat from 2014-16, and joins Romeo, Sandra Postma, Lucy Sandelin and Shirley Levens as the only bowlers to win multiple times at the USBC Senior Queens.
“This is amazing,” said Johnson. “It was a fight from one match to another. I just stayed in it while (Lynda) was making great shots, and I had to keep up with her. I just focused on staying down, staying in my game and the shots came.”
Johnson earned her way to the title match after defeating Kristin McEntee of Whiting, Indiana, in the semifinal match, 265-216. McEntee earned $4,500 for third place, which ties her highest finish in the event after also finishing third in 2024.
The title match was something to behold as Johnson had to win twice due to Barnes holding the top seed after Barnes won the last winner’s bracket match Saturday, 691-686.
In the first game today, both bowlers started with the first four strikes, and it seemed like the first one to miss at least once would lose. Barnes left a 10 pin in the fifth frame and converted it before Johnson left the 6-10 one frame later, also converting it.
Barnes doubled before leaving a high flush 4 pin in the eighth frame and spared it while Johnson would not miss again until the fill ball of the 10th frame, ending with 277 to Barnes’ 258 and forcing a deciding second game.
The final game was similar to the previous game as both started with the first five strikes. They continued to match each other with two straight spares in the sixth and seventh frames before Johnson got back to her striking ways. Unfortunately for Barnes, she left back-to-back 4 pins before doubling in the final frame. By then, it was too late as Johnson finished with 255 to Barnes’ 244.
Barnes earned $6,000 for her runner-up finish, improving upon her 2025 finish of ninth. Johnson leaves Las Vegas with the title, tiara and $8,000 top prize as she prepares for the upcoming Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour season in a few weeks. She hopes to earn her 26th PWBA title during the 2026 season.
“I just take it step by step – get a check, get a cash, try to make a show and then give myself a chance to win, whether that’s No. 26 or whatever it may be,” said Johnson. “It’s going to be a long road, but this gives me great momentum going into the next several weeks.”
The stepladder finals opened with Rina Sabo of Bennett, Colorado, going against Jodi Woessner of Oregon, Ohio. Sabo was looking to win after being the runner-up in 2025 while Woessner sought to add a second tiara after winning in 2022.
Sabo and Woessner kept pace with each other, but an open by Woessner in the seventh frame allowed Sabo to pull ahead and advance with 212 to Woessner’s 201. Woessner earned $2,600 for her fifth-place finish.
Waiting in the second match was McEntee, who started with the first three strikes before an open in the fourth frame. Sabo was unable to take full advantage as she opened in the fifth frame before McEntee ended the game with seven consecutive strikes for 257. Sabo managed just 214 and earned $3,500 while McEntee advanced to the semifinal against Johnson.
The 2026 event started April 15 with the first of three five-game qualifying rounds for 86 competitors, with the top 31 bowlers after 15 games joining Johnson in the double-elimination match-play bracket.
BowlTV live streamed the 2026 event from start to finish at Sam’s Town, including the stepladder finals.
For more information on the USBC Senior Queens, visit BOWL.com/seniorqueens.
LAS VEGAS – Liz Johnson of Niagara Falls, New York, earned her second straight United States Bowling Congress Senior Queens title Sunday afternoon, beating Lynda Barnes of Denton, Texas, twice for the title, 277-258 and 255-244, at Sam’s Town Bowling Center in Las Vegas.
Johnson is the first repeat champion of the event since Robin Romeo’s three-peat from 2014-16, and joins Romeo, Sandra Postma, Lucy Sandelin and Shirley Levens as the only bowlers to win multiple times at the USBC Senior Queens.
“This is amazing,” said Johnson. “It was a fight from one match to another. I just stayed in it while (Lynda) was making great shots, and I had to keep up with her. I just focused on staying down, staying in my game and the shots came.”
Johnson earned her way to the title match after defeating Kristin McEntee of Whiting, Indiana, in the semifinal match, 265-216. McEntee earned $4,500 for third place, which ties her highest finish in the event after also finishing third in 2024.
The title match was something to behold as Johnson had to win twice due to Barnes holding the top seed after Barnes won the last winner’s bracket match Saturday, 691-686.
In the first game today, both bowlers started with the first four strikes, and it seemed like the first one to miss at least once would lose. Barnes left a 10 pin in the fifth frame and converted it before Johnson left the 6-10 one frame later, also converting it.
Barnes doubled before leaving a high flush 4 pin in the eighth frame and spared it while Johnson would not miss again until the fill ball of the 10th frame, ending with 277 to Barnes’ 258 and forcing a deciding second game.
The final game was similar to the previous game as both started with the first five strikes. They continued to match each other with two straight spares in the sixth and seventh frames before Johnson got back to her striking ways. Unfortunately for Barnes, she left back-to-back 4 pins before doubling in the final frame. By then, it was too late as Johnson finished with 255 to Barnes’ 244.
Barnes earned $6,000 for her runner-up finish, improving upon her 2025 finish of ninth. Johnson leaves Las Vegas with the title, tiara and $8,000 top prize as she prepares for the upcoming Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour season in a few weeks. She hopes to earn her 26th PWBA title during the 2026 season.
“I just take it step by step – get a check, get a cash, try to make a show and then give myself a chance to win, whether that’s No. 26 or whatever it may be,” said Johnson. “It’s going to be a long road, but this gives me great momentum going into the next several weeks.”
The stepladder finals opened with Rina Sabo of Bennett, Colorado, going against Jodi Woessner of Oregon, Ohio. Sabo was looking to win after being the runner-up in 2025 while Woessner sought to add a second tiara after winning in 2022.
Sabo and Woessner kept pace with each other, but an open by Woessner in the seventh frame allowed Sabo to pull ahead and advance with 212 to Woessner’s 201. Woessner earned $2,600 for her fifth-place finish.
Waiting in the second match was McEntee, who started with the first three strikes before an open in the fourth frame. Sabo was unable to take full advantage as she opened in the fifth frame before McEntee ended the game with seven consecutive strikes for 257. Sabo managed just 214 and earned $3,500 while McEntee advanced to the semifinal against Johnson.
The 2026 event started April 15 with the first of three five-game qualifying rounds for 86 competitors, with the top 31 bowlers after 15 games joining Johnson in the double-elimination match-play bracket.
BowlTV live streamed the 2026 event from start to finish at Sam’s Town, including the stepladder finals.
For more information on the USBC Senior Queens, visit BOWL.com/seniorqueens.