Nebraska group leads Emerald Team at 2015 Women's Championships

By Wishelle Banks and Jessica Gilgor
USBC Communications

RENO, Nev. -
With the 2015 United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships now in its final month, Herbalife of Cozad, Nebraska, is the team to beat in Emerald Team after surging into the lead at the National Bowling Stadium on Friday.

The team put together games of 669, 723 and 688 for a 2,080 total, surpassing The Incredibowl of Campbell, California, which previously held the lead with 2,000. Teams in the Emerald Division have combined entering averages from 575-649.

Jodi Myers led the way for Herbalife with a 570 series and was joined by Tonya Sayer (546), Michelle Schwarz (495) and Glenda Beenblossom (469).

"It's awesome," said Beenblossom, who made her 10th consecutive USBC Women's Championships appearance. "We didn't know we took the lead until we were done bowling. We were watching the scoreboard, and it was incredible. We were all excited. We're hoping the score holds up."

The momentum continued for Myers during doubles and singles as she added sets of 528 in doubles and 579 in singles for a 1,677 all-events total, which is third in Emerald All-Events. Tamara Smith of Poncha Springs, Colorado, leads with 1,699.

Smith's team, Altitude With Attitude of Buena Vista, Colorado, also leads Ruby Team with a 2,176 total. Teams in the Ruby Division have combined entering averages of 650-724.

On Saturday, Maine Fish Market 2 of Hampden, Massachusetts, made a run at the new Emerald Team leaders but fell short, finishing with a 2,037 total.

The group was led by Patricia Aleks' 560 series and posted games of 699, 679 and 659. Aleks was joined by Dian Curran (504), Beverly Peritz (487) and Robin LaBier (486)

Also on Saturday, USBC Hall of Famer Tish Johnson of Colorado Springs, Colorado, made her presence known with a run at the lead in Diamond Singles. She rolled games 244, 248 and 208 and moved into fifth place with a 700 series. She added 683 in team and 638 in doubles for a 2,021 all-events total, which is seventh in Diamond All-Events.

Darris Ruffner of Exeter, California, and Rochelle Roventini of Franklin, Wisconsin, lead Diamond Singles with 742, while former Team USA member Tennelle Milligan, who also leads Diamond Doubles (1,404) and Diamond Team (2,634), tops the Diamond All-Events standings with a 2,169 total.

The 2015 Women's Championships kicked off April 10, and its 82-day run will conclude June 30, after nearly 20,000 bowlers make their way to The Biggest Little City in the World.

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