Terrell-Kearney puts USWO title on line
September 18, 2009
Kim Terrell-Kearney of Grand Prairie, Texas, is one of only two bowlers to reach the televised portion of the U.S. Women's Open, a United States Bowling Congress event, each year since its return in 2007, and this time, she did so in dramatic fashion.
Terrell-Kearney, the defending champion, entered the last round of qualifying in 18th place, 95 pins out of the cut to the top 12, but catapulted into 11th place with the highest final block at Strike Zone Bowling Center inside the Sunset Station Hotel and Casino in Henderson, Nev.
Now, viewers can see her try to defend the U.S. Women's Open title she claimed last year in Romeoville, Ill., when she makes her return to ESPN this Sunday at 2 p.m. EDT.
Terrell-Kearney will take on her Team USA teammate Shannon Pluhowsky of Phoenix, and the winner will advance to meet 2003 U.S. Women's Open champion Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., for a spot in the semifinals, scheduled to air on Oct. 18.
"Going into the last round, I knew I needed a good block because I had a bad morning round," said Terrell-Kearney, who also won the U.S. Women's Open in 2001 and is one of 10 players to win the event multiple times. "I don't think I was in the top 10 at any point during qualifying, and I just wanted to find a way to keep playing. I think I snuck through in a similar way the last two years, too, and at that point the tournament basically starts over. That is definitely to my advantage since I don't have to play catch-up anymore."
After 40 games of qualifying at Strike Zone Bowling Center, the top 12 players advanced to the televised portion of the event. The five TV shows will air on Sunday afternoons throughout September (13 and 20) and October (4, 11 and 18) with the champion being crowned on the finale.
Terrell-Kearney, who won nine titles during her 16-year Professional Women's Bowling Association career, is familiar with the pressures of competition and said she didn't prepare any differently just because she was the defending champion.
"You just have to be as prepared as you can be, and I just like to go out and play without any worries," Terrell-Kearney said. "Sometimes, I'm a bit surprised that I'm still able to compete at this level since I don't play that much anymore, but I am glad when I do get a chance to compete because I love it. It's a lot of fun, and when it's not your living, it's a lot easier to get the ball off your hand."
The next show in the series (Oct. 4) will feature Team USA member Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, and Colombian star Clara Guerrero of Pflugerville, Texas, battling for the chance to face USBC Hall of Famer Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of Keller, Texas, the other bowler to make the televised portion of the U.S. Women's Open each time since 2007. The winner will advance to the series finale.
Any competitor who rolls a 300 game on one of the first four TV shows will receive a $25,000 bonus. A perfect game in the semifinals or championship match (the fifth show) will earn the player $100,000.
Qualifying at the U.S. Women's Open was at held Strike Zone Bowling Center from Aug. 4-7, and the five TV shows were taped Aug. 8-9.
Terrell-Kearney, the defending champion, entered the last round of qualifying in 18th place, 95 pins out of the cut to the top 12, but catapulted into 11th place with the highest final block at Strike Zone Bowling Center inside the Sunset Station Hotel and Casino in Henderson, Nev.
Now, viewers can see her try to defend the U.S. Women's Open title she claimed last year in Romeoville, Ill., when she makes her return to ESPN this Sunday at 2 p.m. EDT.
Terrell-Kearney will take on her Team USA teammate Shannon Pluhowsky of Phoenix, and the winner will advance to meet 2003 U.S. Women's Open champion Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., for a spot in the semifinals, scheduled to air on Oct. 18.
"Going into the last round, I knew I needed a good block because I had a bad morning round," said Terrell-Kearney, who also won the U.S. Women's Open in 2001 and is one of 10 players to win the event multiple times. "I don't think I was in the top 10 at any point during qualifying, and I just wanted to find a way to keep playing. I think I snuck through in a similar way the last two years, too, and at that point the tournament basically starts over. That is definitely to my advantage since I don't have to play catch-up anymore."
After 40 games of qualifying at Strike Zone Bowling Center, the top 12 players advanced to the televised portion of the event. The five TV shows will air on Sunday afternoons throughout September (13 and 20) and October (4, 11 and 18) with the champion being crowned on the finale.
Terrell-Kearney, who won nine titles during her 16-year Professional Women's Bowling Association career, is familiar with the pressures of competition and said she didn't prepare any differently just because she was the defending champion.
"You just have to be as prepared as you can be, and I just like to go out and play without any worries," Terrell-Kearney said. "Sometimes, I'm a bit surprised that I'm still able to compete at this level since I don't play that much anymore, but I am glad when I do get a chance to compete because I love it. It's a lot of fun, and when it's not your living, it's a lot easier to get the ball off your hand."
The next show in the series (Oct. 4) will feature Team USA member Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, and Colombian star Clara Guerrero of Pflugerville, Texas, battling for the chance to face USBC Hall of Famer Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of Keller, Texas, the other bowler to make the televised portion of the U.S. Women's Open each time since 2007. The winner will advance to the series finale.
Any competitor who rolls a 300 game on one of the first four TV shows will receive a $25,000 bonus. A perfect game in the semifinals or championship match (the fifth show) will earn the player $100,000.
Qualifying at the U.S. Women's Open was at held Strike Zone Bowling Center from Aug. 4-7, and the five TV shows were taped Aug. 8-9.