Returning champion back in lead at WC

CurrentElysia2013LARGERENO, Nev. - Elysia Current of Ephrata, Pa., claimed a pair of titles in her United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships debut last year, and she put herself in position for another win as she moved into the Scratch All-Events lead at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center on Saturday.

Current, a 28-year-old right-hander, rolled sets of 708 in singles, 705 in doubles and 691 in team for a 2,104 all-events total. She held off her doubles partner, defending Scratch All-Events champion Lindsay Boomershine of Brigham City, Utah, who shot 703 in team, 692 in doubles and 668 in singles for 2,063, which is second overall. Both scores surpassed the 2,059 total posted by two-time USBC Women's Championships titlist Joey Biondo of Carpentersville, Ill., this week.

"I basically just kept it in the area we needed to and made little moves along the way," said Current, a two-time Junior Team USA member and collegiate standout at both Fairleigh Dickinson and Wichita State University. "It was all about staying consistent, making good shots, making my spares and just letting the pins fall. I haven't been bowling as much since I started coaching (at Delaware State University), but I finally got back into it, and the hard work has paid off."

BoomershineCurrent2013LARGECurrent and Boomershine, a 27-year-old right-hander, captured the Scratch and Diamond Doubles crowns at the 2012 Women's Championships, while Boomershine went on to win Scratch All-Events. They put those titles on the line this weekend, and although they won't repeat in doubles, they gave it a run.

The two turned in a 1,397 doubles effort this year, which included back-to-back 7-10 splits for Boomershine after she started the second game with seven consecutive strikes, and a flurry of nine counts late in the finale, ending their charge.

Boomershine and Current landed in third place in Scratch Doubles, while their teammates, Kaleena Henning of Lincoln, Neb., and Kristie Leong of Daly City, Calif., grabbed the Scratch and Diamond Doubles leads with 1,439 and 1,481, respectively. Keri Caduto of Union, Ill., and Tina Becke of Carol Stream, Ill., previously held the Scratch Doubles lead with 1,409, and Cari Vejvoda of Antioch, Ill., and Amanda Holst of Lake Villa, Ill., led Diamond Doubles with 1,443.

HenningLeong2013LARGEHenning finished doubles with a 290 game, the first honor score of the 2013 Women's Championships, on the way to a 721 series, and Leong added 718 to the leading total. The duo received an additional 14 pins of handicap per game to reach their handicap score.

The communication between the two, their teammates and their supporters was instrumental in their success.

"Our communication was there," said Henning, who made her Women's Championships debut. "We broke them down the way we wanted to, and it clicked. We had some great sets of eyes behind us offering that little extra help as well."

Henning and Leong were able to see the excitement their teammates shared as they returned to defend their titles, and they hope to return to the RSCC in the same position next year.

"I think we bowled as well as we could," said Leong, who made her fifth tournament appearance. "It was written in the stars to bowl together and bowl as well as we did. I'm totally excited and can't believe that it happened. I really hope we can hold on to one or both. It would definitely be the highlight of my career."

Current also is excited about the possibility of taking home a title at the 2013 Women's Championships.

"Lindsay and I came in here with a really good, positive energy," said Current, who was the runner-up at the 2011 USBC Queens. "As long as we did what we did last year, we knew we would have a chance. Unfortunately, we came up a few pins short, but we're happy our teammates were able to take it over and keep it in the family. I'm just happy about making a good showing. It's kind of hard to put into perspective, but hopefully it carries through the rest of the way."

BoomershineLindsay2013LARGEAlthough Boomershine was unable to put herself in the lead in 2013, she is proud of her effort as well as her teammates' success.

"It felt great because I felt like I worked hard and it paid off last year," said Boomershine, who made her fourth Women's Championships appearance. "It motivated me to work even harder. I thought this year went really well, and I'm happy with it. I'm super proud of my teammates. They did a great job, and I'm proud of the way we worked together."

The Diamond Division is for bowlers with averages of 180 or above. Competitors in Diamond Doubles have combined averages of 360 or greater, and handicap is 100 percent of 440.

Presenting sponsors for the 2013 USBC Women's Championships include Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno.