Primrose looking forward to defending USBC Senior Queens title

EL PASO, Texas - Janine Primrose made her United States Bowling Congress Senior Queens debut last year with humble expectations, but quietly made her way through the talented field undefeated on her way to the 2009 title.

With all eyes on her opponent, USBC Hall of Famer and 15-time PWBA titlist Dana Miller-Mackie, Primrose rolled games of 164, 233 and 231 on her way to a 628-598 victory.

Primrose, of Gardnerville, Nev., hopes to become the first woman to win back-to-back Senior Queens titles when the event for bowlers age 50 and older kicks off Saturday, April 24 at the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center.

She entered the 2009 event on a whim, but knew she had as good a chance as every other competitor that walked through the doors of the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev.

"It was kind of a spur of the moment thing," Primrose said. "I really couldn't prepare as well as I would have liked, but I knew all I could do was give it my best. Everybody has a chance if they go out there and make the right choices on the lanes."

Primrose was 15th in qualifying with a 187.6 average. Moving into match play, she rolled over the competition at a 208.4 clip to post a 6-0 record on her way to the championship.

To reach her undefeated mark, she knocked out two USBC Hall of Famers. Along with Miller-Mackie in the finals, she defeated top seed and 2007 Senior Queens champion Lucy Sandelin, 724-631.

"They're both awesome bowlers, so I tried to get a quick start against them, but usually found myself in a hole," Primrose said. "That's the nice thing about having three games instead of one. You have the chance to make up pins, and you're never out of it."

After claiming her first major title, she looks ahead to the challenges of defending her tiara.

"My mindset hasn't changed since last year, but it's nice to have a national title under my belt," Primrose said. "I want to go out there and bowl the best that I can, and have a good time."

The USBC Senior Queens is open to all USBC female members age 50 and up. Competition consists of 10 qualifying games for all contestants on April 24 and April 25. The top 40 advance to an additional five-game qualifying round on April 26, after which the top 31 will join Primrose in the three-game, double-elimination match-play finals.

The tournament concludes Wednesday, April 28 at Noon EDT with the championship match, which will be broadcast live on BOWL.com.