Participation stories highlight 2009 Women's Championships
March 09, 2010
The 2009 USBC Women's Championship in Reno, Nev., saw two competitors hit the 50-year mark for participation, another reach 60 years and Mini Tvaska extend her participation record.
But Colleen Keirnes, 80, of Salmon, Idaho, showed it is never too late to attend your first Women's Championships. Keirnes was excited about her initial trip not only to the tournament, but to the one-of-a-kind National Bowling Stadium.
"I have butterflies in my stomach," Keirnes said before hitting the lanes. "I hope I can bowl well. I at least want to hit my average. We've had so much fun already, though, and everyone here has been so helpful and nice that it's going to be a great experience no matter how I bowl."
Keirnes did manage to hit her 129 average, and enjoyed the unique experience of competing in the world's largest participatory event for women.
"I had a really good time," Keirnes said. "I was nervous, but it worked out just fine. I shot my average and won some money in brackets. It was just an awesome and fantastic experience."
Mini Tvaska of St. Petersburg, Fla., had the same youthful enthusiasm and nerves as Keirnes toward the Women's Championships despite the fact the 91-year-old Tvaska was competing at the event for the 63rd time in 2009. Tvaska, who has participated in more Women's Championships than any bowler, continues to share her passion for the sport and enjoys the camaraderie she has found on the lanes.
"I'm so happy to be taking part in this tournament, and I'm already registered for El Paso," Tvaska said prior to her team event. "I'm in pretty good shape, and I have even raised my average from last year."
Anita Cantaline of Warren, Mich., became just the fourth woman in the 90-year history of the Women's Championships to reach 60 years of participation, joining Tvaska, Mary Covell of Chicago and Nancy Hampton of Carol Stream, Ill.
Cantaline, who was elected to the USBC Hall of Fame in 1979, is a three-time Women's Championships titlist. Her first two titles came in the 1957 event, claiming crowns in team and all-events, and she added another team title in 1959.
She won the 1956 Bowling Proprietors' Association of America National Individual Match Game Championship, which was a steppingstone to being named the 1956 Bowling Writers' Association of America Female Bowler of the Year.
Cantaline, 82, made her initial appearance at the 1949 Women's Championships in Columbus, Ohio, and a positive attitude has helped bring her back year after year.
"My philosophy is to, first thing, have fun," Cantaline said. "I also like to remember what Fred Wolf said: 'You don't have to play a sport good to be a good sport.' "
Two bowlers - Viola Brannen of Omaha, Neb., and Emma Hendrickson of Morris Plains, N.J. - made their 50th appearances at the Women's Championships in 2009.
Hendrickson's appearance generated headlines as the 100-year-old bowler became the oldest participant in the tournament's history.
Brannen, 84, has dedicated more than 60 years to being a state and local leader within the bowling community and organized the Nebraska 600 Club, which she headed for 40 years. She serves as vice president of Les Dames de 700 Bowling Club, Inc. She was the first recipient of the USBC Helen Baker Outstanding Association Volunteer Award in 1995, and was named Sports Director of the Year in 2002 by the Cornhusker State Games, a division of the Nebraska Sports Council.
"Bowling is a great sport and one that almost anyone can participate in," said Brannen, who bowled her first Women's Championships in 1949 in Columbus, Ohio. "It's good exercise, provides great camaraderie and can be adjusted for anyone with physical problems or individual differences. And I think it's helped to keep me young."
Big scores in The Biggest Little City
The 2009 Women's Championships in Reno, Nev., saw a handful of historic moments unfold throughout the 100-day event. With some of the highest scores in the history of the tournament being posted, it's no surprise a few bowlers made a run at a 300 game.
Lindsy Bonifacini, 27, of San Diego was the only one to reach perfection, becoming the ninth woman in the history of the event to roll a 300 game. She achieved the milestone during doubles competition on July 2. It was the tournament's first perfect game since Alicia Kellow of Louisville, Ky., accomplished the feat in 2005. The first 300 game in Women's Championships history was recorded by Lori Gensch of Milwaukee, Wis., in 1979.
Jeanette Menacho-Adams of Antelope, Calif., was a stubborn 8 pin away from a perfect game as she shot 299 during her team event. The 33-year-old left-hander joined a more exclusive club, becoming the sixth woman in tournament history to record a 299 game and the first since 2009 U.S. Women's Open champion Tammy Boomershine of North Ogden, Utah, accomplished the feat in 2007.
Bryanna Caldwell of Tucson, Ariz., and Classic Doubles champion Jenifer Larson of Tupper Lake, N.Y., also came within a strike of perfection. Caldwell posted a 298 game during her doubles competition, while Larson had a 297 in singles.
Twins make tournament a family tradition
The Women's Championships often has been an avenue to bring families together. Many teams with three and even four generations of family members hit the tournament lanes every year. Relatives who live across country use the tournament as a chance to enjoy the sport they cherish with the people they love.
Annette Hanson of Bedminster, N.J., and Andrea Ackerman of Piscataway, N.J., enjoyed that very same company for the 25th consecutive year at the 2009 Women's Championships in Reno, Nev.
The twin sisters competed in their first Women's Championships in 1985, and continue to make the event a part of their vacation each year. With 25 years already in the books, the sisters plan to add many more tournament appearances to their resume.
"We hope to keep bowling for many more tournaments together," said Ackerman upon finishing her 2009 event. "It was such an emotional experience to share this accomplishment with my sister."
"It was a very special moment," Hanson added. "I would love to reach 50 years at this tournament with her by my side."
LPGA standout competes in first Women's Championships
Brandie Burton of La Verne, Calif., might be more accustomed to fairway grass and golf spikes but that didn't stop her from lacing up her bowling shoes and competing in her first Women's Championships in 2009.
The 1991 Ladies Professional Golf Association Rookie of the Year hit the tournament lanes in April with a few friends before going back to finish the remainder of the 2009 LPGA Tour season.
"I predominantly bowl for the fun of it," Burton said. "I find it relaxing, so I make time to bowl."
The five-time LPGA titlist, which includes major victories at the 1993 and 1998 du Maurier Classic, compared the similarities in performing a quality golf shot and putting 10 pins back in the pit.
"The sports each encompass a pretty good degree of focus to successfully execute, and the consistency in the level of competition is notable, too," Burton said.
But Colleen Keirnes, 80, of Salmon, Idaho, showed it is never too late to attend your first Women's Championships. Keirnes was excited about her initial trip not only to the tournament, but to the one-of-a-kind National Bowling Stadium.
"I have butterflies in my stomach," Keirnes said before hitting the lanes. "I hope I can bowl well. I at least want to hit my average. We've had so much fun already, though, and everyone here has been so helpful and nice that it's going to be a great experience no matter how I bowl."
Keirnes did manage to hit her 129 average, and enjoyed the unique experience of competing in the world's largest participatory event for women.
"I had a really good time," Keirnes said. "I was nervous, but it worked out just fine. I shot my average and won some money in brackets. It was just an awesome and fantastic experience."
Mini Tvaska of St. Petersburg, Fla., had the same youthful enthusiasm and nerves as Keirnes toward the Women's Championships despite the fact the 91-year-old Tvaska was competing at the event for the 63rd time in 2009. Tvaska, who has participated in more Women's Championships than any bowler, continues to share her passion for the sport and enjoys the camaraderie she has found on the lanes.
"I'm so happy to be taking part in this tournament, and I'm already registered for El Paso," Tvaska said prior to her team event. "I'm in pretty good shape, and I have even raised my average from last year."
Anita Cantaline of Warren, Mich., became just the fourth woman in the 90-year history of the Women's Championships to reach 60 years of participation, joining Tvaska, Mary Covell of Chicago and Nancy Hampton of Carol Stream, Ill.
Cantaline, who was elected to the USBC Hall of Fame in 1979, is a three-time Women's Championships titlist. Her first two titles came in the 1957 event, claiming crowns in team and all-events, and she added another team title in 1959.
She won the 1956 Bowling Proprietors' Association of America National Individual Match Game Championship, which was a steppingstone to being named the 1956 Bowling Writers' Association of America Female Bowler of the Year.
Cantaline, 82, made her initial appearance at the 1949 Women's Championships in Columbus, Ohio, and a positive attitude has helped bring her back year after year.
"My philosophy is to, first thing, have fun," Cantaline said. "I also like to remember what Fred Wolf said: 'You don't have to play a sport good to be a good sport.' "
Two bowlers - Viola Brannen of Omaha, Neb., and Emma Hendrickson of Morris Plains, N.J. - made their 50th appearances at the Women's Championships in 2009.
Hendrickson's appearance generated headlines as the 100-year-old bowler became the oldest participant in the tournament's history.
Brannen, 84, has dedicated more than 60 years to being a state and local leader within the bowling community and organized the Nebraska 600 Club, which she headed for 40 years. She serves as vice president of Les Dames de 700 Bowling Club, Inc. She was the first recipient of the USBC Helen Baker Outstanding Association Volunteer Award in 1995, and was named Sports Director of the Year in 2002 by the Cornhusker State Games, a division of the Nebraska Sports Council.
"Bowling is a great sport and one that almost anyone can participate in," said Brannen, who bowled her first Women's Championships in 1949 in Columbus, Ohio. "It's good exercise, provides great camaraderie and can be adjusted for anyone with physical problems or individual differences. And I think it's helped to keep me young."
Big scores in The Biggest Little City
The 2009 Women's Championships in Reno, Nev., saw a handful of historic moments unfold throughout the 100-day event. With some of the highest scores in the history of the tournament being posted, it's no surprise a few bowlers made a run at a 300 game.
Lindsy Bonifacini, 27, of San Diego was the only one to reach perfection, becoming the ninth woman in the history of the event to roll a 300 game. She achieved the milestone during doubles competition on July 2. It was the tournament's first perfect game since Alicia Kellow of Louisville, Ky., accomplished the feat in 2005. The first 300 game in Women's Championships history was recorded by Lori Gensch of Milwaukee, Wis., in 1979.
Jeanette Menacho-Adams of Antelope, Calif., was a stubborn 8 pin away from a perfect game as she shot 299 during her team event. The 33-year-old left-hander joined a more exclusive club, becoming the sixth woman in tournament history to record a 299 game and the first since 2009 U.S. Women's Open champion Tammy Boomershine of North Ogden, Utah, accomplished the feat in 2007.
Bryanna Caldwell of Tucson, Ariz., and Classic Doubles champion Jenifer Larson of Tupper Lake, N.Y., also came within a strike of perfection. Caldwell posted a 298 game during her doubles competition, while Larson had a 297 in singles.
Twins make tournament a family tradition
The Women's Championships often has been an avenue to bring families together. Many teams with three and even four generations of family members hit the tournament lanes every year. Relatives who live across country use the tournament as a chance to enjoy the sport they cherish with the people they love.
Annette Hanson of Bedminster, N.J., and Andrea Ackerman of Piscataway, N.J., enjoyed that very same company for the 25th consecutive year at the 2009 Women's Championships in Reno, Nev.
The twin sisters competed in their first Women's Championships in 1985, and continue to make the event a part of their vacation each year. With 25 years already in the books, the sisters plan to add many more tournament appearances to their resume.
"We hope to keep bowling for many more tournaments together," said Ackerman upon finishing her 2009 event. "It was such an emotional experience to share this accomplishment with my sister."
"It was a very special moment," Hanson added. "I would love to reach 50 years at this tournament with her by my side."
LPGA standout competes in first Women's Championships
Brandie Burton of La Verne, Calif., might be more accustomed to fairway grass and golf spikes but that didn't stop her from lacing up her bowling shoes and competing in her first Women's Championships in 2009.
The 1991 Ladies Professional Golf Association Rookie of the Year hit the tournament lanes in April with a few friends before going back to finish the remainder of the 2009 LPGA Tour season.
"I predominantly bowl for the fun of it," Burton said. "I find it relaxing, so I make time to bowl."
The five-time LPGA titlist, which includes major victories at the 1993 and 1998 du Maurier Classic, compared the similarities in performing a quality golf shot and putting 10 pins back in the pit.
"The sports each encompass a pretty good degree of focus to successfully execute, and the consistency in the level of competition is notable, too," Burton said.