LAS VEGAS – Maria C. Rodriguez of San Antonio, Texas, came into her first USBC Women’s Championships in Las Vegas just expecting to have a fun time, but she could never have thought that she’d take the lead in the Sapphire All-Events.

Rodriguez had a dramatic finish, getting a strike in the tenth frame of her final game of singles and had to wait for what seemed like an eternity for the 10 pin to fall.

“I just wanted to make good shots,” said Rodriguez. “This is an awesome experience for me and it’s nice to have the support from my family and friends.”

Rodriguez started team with a 535 series, then started doubles with a 518. Her singles series, 456, puts her squarely in the lead for all-events.

Not only was it her first time at the Women’s Championships, the Texas bowler has only bowled for less than two years before being convinced by her husband and daughter.

“I have only been bowling for a year and a half now,” she said. “My husband, Luis, and daughter, Neishki, are great bowlers. They both have been bowling their entire lives.”

Since being convinced to begin her bowling career a year and a half ago, she has not stopped since, bowling on Mondays and Tuesdays in her senior leagues.

So far, she has loved her time in Las Vegas, where she will stay a few extra days to celebrate her niece’s birthday.

“I love South Point,” Rodriguez said. “We’ve been coming here for years, when my daughter was 12 or 13 and she was bowling in the junior tour. This is my first Women’s Championships tournament and I’m enjoying every single minute of it.”

For more information on the USBC Women’s Championships, visit BOWL.com/WomensChamp.

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