Newcomers shake up Topaz standings at 2018 USBC Women's Championships
May 02, 2018
By Tony Contini and Aaron Smith
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Competing at an event like the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships for the first time often brings on feelings of anticipation, nervousness and awe.
If that first trip also happens to be at a facility like the National Bowling Stadium, home of the 2018 USBC Women's Championships, those feelings can multiply while experiencing the championship atmosphere and knowing the storied history of the 78-lane venue.
Francis Scoggins of Andrews, Texas, and Teresa Merritt of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, each faced those moments in their tournament debuts this week at the NBS, but they overcome any doubt as they moved to the top of the leaderboard in Topaz Singles and Topaz All-Events, respectively.
Scoggins, a 52-year-old right-hander, used games of 164, 181 and 186 to surge into the singles lead with a 531 series, while Merritt posted sets of 468 in doubles, 457 in singles and 403 in team to finish with a 1,328 all-events total.
Patricia Feiteira of Wailuku, Hawaii, previously held the lead in Topaz Singles with 509, while Lisa Carpenter of Darlington, Wisconsin, topped the Topaz All-events standings with 1,299.
Scoggins only has been bowling for two years, with one state tournament under her belt. As she prepared to head to Reno for her first Women's Championships, her teammates offered the best advice they could for competing in the one-of-a-kind venue.
"When I came here and saw everything for myself, I thought it was so cool," Scoggins said. "They kept telling me how everything was going to be and to not let it overwhelm me too much."
Although she admitted to being tense at first, Scoggins found a way to take her mind off any pressure she felt while competing in the world's largest participatory sporting event for women.
"You're watching the other people pop the pins all over the place, and I felt like I could barely get three at first," Scoggins said. "Then, I just started singing. I sang through the rest of the games, in my head and to myself."
With her nerves calmed through song, Scoggins also relied on her teammates and credited them for her successful debut.
"It should be my teammates winning up here," Scoggins said. "They are all awesome bowlers and a great support system."
Scoggins' advice for fellow first-time participants is to not get down on themselves and work with their teammates to get back on track.
"You can't do well all the time," Scoggins said. "But when you do, they're there and cheering you on. My team is what keeps me going. I just hope I can keep up my game."
Merritt also relied on her teammates as she made her way to the top of the leaderboard.
"I was scared and nervous," Merritt said. "My teammates helped calm me down."
Although the high ceilings created a different feeling than competing at home, she quickly settled in. Merritt says the performance will help her as she looks to improve her game.
"This will make me more confident," Merritt said. "I will improve because now I know I can do it. My advice for newcomers to the Women's Championships is to go have fun and stay relaxed. It's just a game."
Bowlers in the Topaz Division have entering averages of 129 and below.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women's Championships page.
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Competing at an event like the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships for the first time often brings on feelings of anticipation, nervousness and awe.
If that first trip also happens to be at a facility like the National Bowling Stadium, home of the 2018 USBC Women's Championships, those feelings can multiply while experiencing the championship atmosphere and knowing the storied history of the 78-lane venue.
Francis Scoggins of Andrews, Texas, and Teresa Merritt of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, each faced those moments in their tournament debuts this week at the NBS, but they overcome any doubt as they moved to the top of the leaderboard in Topaz Singles and Topaz All-Events, respectively.
Scoggins, a 52-year-old right-hander, used games of 164, 181 and 186 to surge into the singles lead with a 531 series, while Merritt posted sets of 468 in doubles, 457 in singles and 403 in team to finish with a 1,328 all-events total.
Patricia Feiteira of Wailuku, Hawaii, previously held the lead in Topaz Singles with 509, while Lisa Carpenter of Darlington, Wisconsin, topped the Topaz All-events standings with 1,299.
Scoggins only has been bowling for two years, with one state tournament under her belt. As she prepared to head to Reno for her first Women's Championships, her teammates offered the best advice they could for competing in the one-of-a-kind venue.
"When I came here and saw everything for myself, I thought it was so cool," Scoggins said. "They kept telling me how everything was going to be and to not let it overwhelm me too much."
Although she admitted to being tense at first, Scoggins found a way to take her mind off any pressure she felt while competing in the world's largest participatory sporting event for women.
"You're watching the other people pop the pins all over the place, and I felt like I could barely get three at first," Scoggins said. "Then, I just started singing. I sang through the rest of the games, in my head and to myself."
With her nerves calmed through song, Scoggins also relied on her teammates and credited them for her successful debut.
"It should be my teammates winning up here," Scoggins said. "They are all awesome bowlers and a great support system."
Scoggins' advice for fellow first-time participants is to not get down on themselves and work with their teammates to get back on track.
"You can't do well all the time," Scoggins said. "But when you do, they're there and cheering you on. My team is what keeps me going. I just hope I can keep up my game."
Merritt also relied on her teammates as she made her way to the top of the leaderboard.
"I was scared and nervous," Merritt said. "My teammates helped calm me down."
Although the high ceilings created a different feeling than competing at home, she quickly settled in. Merritt says the performance will help her as she looks to improve her game.
"This will make me more confident," Merritt said. "I will improve because now I know I can do it. My advice for newcomers to the Women's Championships is to go have fun and stay relaxed. It's just a game."
Bowlers in the Topaz Division have entering averages of 129 and below.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women's Championships page.