Minnesota bowler leads Diamond Singles at USBC Women's Championships
May 20, 2010
EL PASO, Texas - Kim Wirth of Hopkins, Minn., found the right time to start striking at the 2010 USBC Women's Championships as her solid finished helped her into the Diamond Singles lead at the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center.
After starting out with 594 in doubles and 593 in team, Wirth came out firing in singles, rolling games of 258, 257 and 234 for a 749 scratch series. She entered the event with a 208 average, which earned her an additional 12 pins of handicap per game. Her 785 handicap total moved her past Tennelle Milligan of Arlington, Texas, who previously held the lead with 779. Milligan's 779 still leads the scratch portion of the event.
Wirth credited her success to staying aggressive during singles. She also drew from her experience as a collegiate bowler. Wirth was a member of the University of Central Missouri bowling team for four seasons.
"I just wanted to stay aggressive and make good shots," said Wirth, who made her third Women's Championships appearance. "I put in some extra practice, especially on tougher patterns, before coming here. My years bowling collegiately also helped. I am much more comfortable with making adjustments and working with teammates."
The 25-year-old left-hander also thanks her family for their support in her bowling endeavors. She had her father and brother on-site in El Paso to cheer her on and keep her focused.
"It was great to have them here," said Wirth, who bowls at Country Club Lanes in Excelsior, Minn. "My dad was calming me down and keeping me focused, which definitely helped."
Although her mother was unable to make the trip, she still was able to watch her daughter's performance from the other side of the country courtesy of USBC's live-streaming efforts. Wirth's mother found out that her daughter's squad was going to be featured live on BOWL.com through the USBC Facebook page.
"That was pretty neat," Wirth said. "She really enjoyed watching it and received updates as we bowled. She even stayed up late to watch."
With her score in the books and the tournament just past the halfway mark, Wirth hopes to be bringing home her first Women's Championships title once competition concludes on July 4.
"I'm trying not to focus on it too much, since there is plenty of time left," Wirth said. "It would be great to win a singles title at Nationals, though. You never know with the handicap, but I'm hoping it holds up."
Wirth finished her 2010 event with a scratch all-events total of 1,936, the highest of her Women's Championships career. With her handicap added in, she sits at 2,044 in Diamond All-Events. Jodi Woessner of Oregon, Ohio, leads both the scratch and Diamond Division with 2,330.
The Diamond Division is made up of bowlers with averages of 180 and above, with handicap based on 100 percent of 220.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Women's Championships are Nationwide Insurance; Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; US Steltronic, official scoring system; Brunswick; Storm Bowling Products Inc.; and the El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau.
After starting out with 594 in doubles and 593 in team, Wirth came out firing in singles, rolling games of 258, 257 and 234 for a 749 scratch series. She entered the event with a 208 average, which earned her an additional 12 pins of handicap per game. Her 785 handicap total moved her past Tennelle Milligan of Arlington, Texas, who previously held the lead with 779. Milligan's 779 still leads the scratch portion of the event.
Wirth credited her success to staying aggressive during singles. She also drew from her experience as a collegiate bowler. Wirth was a member of the University of Central Missouri bowling team for four seasons.
"I just wanted to stay aggressive and make good shots," said Wirth, who made her third Women's Championships appearance. "I put in some extra practice, especially on tougher patterns, before coming here. My years bowling collegiately also helped. I am much more comfortable with making adjustments and working with teammates."
The 25-year-old left-hander also thanks her family for their support in her bowling endeavors. She had her father and brother on-site in El Paso to cheer her on and keep her focused.
"It was great to have them here," said Wirth, who bowls at Country Club Lanes in Excelsior, Minn. "My dad was calming me down and keeping me focused, which definitely helped."
Although her mother was unable to make the trip, she still was able to watch her daughter's performance from the other side of the country courtesy of USBC's live-streaming efforts. Wirth's mother found out that her daughter's squad was going to be featured live on BOWL.com through the USBC Facebook page.
"That was pretty neat," Wirth said. "She really enjoyed watching it and received updates as we bowled. She even stayed up late to watch."
With her score in the books and the tournament just past the halfway mark, Wirth hopes to be bringing home her first Women's Championships title once competition concludes on July 4.
"I'm trying not to focus on it too much, since there is plenty of time left," Wirth said. "It would be great to win a singles title at Nationals, though. You never know with the handicap, but I'm hoping it holds up."
Wirth finished her 2010 event with a scratch all-events total of 1,936, the highest of her Women's Championships career. With her handicap added in, she sits at 2,044 in Diamond All-Events. Jodi Woessner of Oregon, Ohio, leads both the scratch and Diamond Division with 2,330.
The Diamond Division is made up of bowlers with averages of 180 and above, with handicap based on 100 percent of 220.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Women's Championships are Nationwide Insurance; Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; US Steltronic, official scoring system; Brunswick; Storm Bowling Products Inc.; and the El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau.