Minnesota bowler braves storm, tops Amethyst All-Events at 2018 USBC Women's Championships
June 19, 2018
By Matt Cannizzaro and Tony Contini
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Being held on the tarmac for more than an hour snowballed into a Minnesota foursome of bowlers having to catch different planes to arrive at the 2018 United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships.
Minnesotans often worry about snow when preparing to travel, but for Mary Pierson of Hastings, Minnesota, and her teammates, rain and thunder were the problem.
"We missed our flight," Pierson said. "But, it all worked out in the end."
Pierson went on to take the lead in Amethyst All-Events and landed in fifth place in Amethyst Singles. Her performance this week at the National Bowling Stadium included a 533 series in singles, 503 in team and a 465 set in doubles for a 1,501 all-events total.
Vickie Hensley of Mineral Wells, Texas, previously held the lead in Amethyst All-Events with 1,491, while Peggy Burchard of Sycamore, Illinois, leads Amethyst Singles with 549.
Pierson's goal was to bowl consistently above her entering average of 143. She met and passed the goal.
"I bowled above my average for all nine games," said Pierson, a 58-year-old left-hander. "I guess that's how you make it to first place. I just assumed I had to bowl nine 200 games to be here."
This year marked Pierson's 22nd USBC Women's Championships, and it's not the first time she's celebrated. Her team finished fourth at the 2001 event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Pierson started bowling when she was only 6 years old because her father was highly involved in the sport.
"He was nervous for me starting that early," Pierson said. "But all my brothers and sisters got me into it. I think I bowled an eight my first game."
She credits her team's calming support and encouragement for this year's success in Reno. Even if they don't bowl well, they have a good time.
"We've had fun every place we've gone," Pierson said. "It's fun every time, and it's all about the women you bowl with."
Also on her team is a seasoned participant, Marcie Baker, who celebrated her 49th Women's Championships appearance this year. When Pierson started bowling, she was picked up as a doubles partner for Baker's niece, a good friend of hers.
In order for Pierson to make her own tournament debut, her group, in an old van, drove for two days to Salt Lake City. She said her cheeks were hurting afterward because of the non-stop smiling and laughing. They now treat the annual event as a reunion.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women's Championships page.
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Being held on the tarmac for more than an hour snowballed into a Minnesota foursome of bowlers having to catch different planes to arrive at the 2018 United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships.
Minnesotans often worry about snow when preparing to travel, but for Mary Pierson of Hastings, Minnesota, and her teammates, rain and thunder were the problem.
"We missed our flight," Pierson said. "But, it all worked out in the end."
Pierson went on to take the lead in Amethyst All-Events and landed in fifth place in Amethyst Singles. Her performance this week at the National Bowling Stadium included a 533 series in singles, 503 in team and a 465 set in doubles for a 1,501 all-events total.
Vickie Hensley of Mineral Wells, Texas, previously held the lead in Amethyst All-Events with 1,491, while Peggy Burchard of Sycamore, Illinois, leads Amethyst Singles with 549.
Pierson's goal was to bowl consistently above her entering average of 143. She met and passed the goal.
"I bowled above my average for all nine games," said Pierson, a 58-year-old left-hander. "I guess that's how you make it to first place. I just assumed I had to bowl nine 200 games to be here."
This year marked Pierson's 22nd USBC Women's Championships, and it's not the first time she's celebrated. Her team finished fourth at the 2001 event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Pierson started bowling when she was only 6 years old because her father was highly involved in the sport.
"He was nervous for me starting that early," Pierson said. "But all my brothers and sisters got me into it. I think I bowled an eight my first game."
She credits her team's calming support and encouragement for this year's success in Reno. Even if they don't bowl well, they have a good time.
"We've had fun every place we've gone," Pierson said. "It's fun every time, and it's all about the women you bowl with."
Also on her team is a seasoned participant, Marcie Baker, who celebrated her 49th Women's Championships appearance this year. When Pierson started bowling, she was picked up as a doubles partner for Baker's niece, a good friend of hers.
In order for Pierson to make her own tournament debut, her group, in an old van, drove for two days to Salt Lake City. She said her cheeks were hurting afterward because of the non-stop smiling and laughing. They now treat the annual event as a reunion.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women's Championships page.