Past champion rolls perfect game at WC

BrooksBettyLARGERENO, Nev. - Betty Brooks of Lakewood, Calif., etched her name in the record books at the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships when she claimed the Ruby All-Events crown at the 2010 event in El Paso, Texas, and this week, she claimed another spot in tournament history with the first 300 game of the 2012 tournament.

Brooks added her name to exclusive list when she tossed 12 consecutive strikes during singles at the National Bowling Stadium on Sunday. She is one of just 16 competitors in the 93-year history of the USBC Women's Championships to accomplish the feat.

The 52-year-old right-hander started singles with a 164 game before getting lined-up for her run at history. She finished the event with 160 for a 624 series.

Although Brooks had never rolled a perfect game before, she was able to remain calm during the final frame with the support of her family and friends. She got her 11th offering a little wider than planned, but there was little doubt about her final shot.

"I thought I had it," said Brooks, who made her eighth Women's Championships appearance. "I was just hoping I wasn't going to leave a 10 pin. I was a little nervous, but I tried to stay focused and loose. It's my first 300 ever, and I got to do it in front of the eight teams I brought from Los Angeles and across the country. I had my husband here, and my daughter was bowling as well. It was really special for me."

Bowlers and spectators alike recognized the significance of the moment as the Stadium erupted with cheers on her final delivery. Brooks was overwhelmed by the support and congratulations she received.

"It was so special," said Brooks, who is an engineer at Northrop Grumman. "Everyone came up and took time out of their bowling to share the joy of it with me. It was just so awesome."

By adding the 300 to her Women's Championships resume, she joins an even smaller group of champions who have attained perfection on the tournament lanes. USBC Hall of Famer Linda Kelly of Dayton, Ohio, was the first to achieve both and has since been joined by newly-elected hall of famer Dede Davidson of Buellton, Calif., Karen (Boyd) Stroud of Plantation, Fla., and Krischna Howard of Hawthorne, Calif. Lori Gensch of Milwaukee rolled the first 300 in Women's Championships history at the 1979 event in Tucson, Ariz.

In 2010, Brooks rolled 679 in doubles, 599 in team and 566 in singles on her way to a 1,844 scratch all-events total. She entered the event with a 174 average and received an additional six pins of handicap per game to finish with the winning total of 1,898 to claim the first Ruby All-Events crown. The 2010 event marked the introduction of the Diamond, Ruby and Sapphire Divisions as well as the use of handicap.

This year, she added 542 in doubles and 521 in team for a 1,687 effort. Because she has raised her league average to 180, she has moved to the Diamond Division. She received an additional 40 pins of handicap per game to finish with a 2,047 all-events score. Andee Tadiello of Brentwood, Calif., leads Diamond All-Events with 2,257.

The Diamond Division is made up of bowlers with averages of 180 and higher, with handicap based on 220. The Ruby Division includes bowlers with averages between 150 and 179, with handicap based on 100 percent of 180.

Presenting sponsors for the 2012 USBC Women's Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, Nev. Other sponsors include Harrah's Reno Casino, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Humana, official registration sponsor, Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, Nationwide Insurance, Sands Regency Casino Hotel and Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa and MyBowlingVacation.com.