Virginian makes 50th appearance at USBC Women's
June 14, 2015
By Jessica Gilgor and Aaron Smith
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Lucille Strauss of Richmond, Virginia, never has been one to revel in the limelight, but all eyes were on her Friday as she made her 50th trip down Center Aisle at the 2015 United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships.
"I was so nervous that I was shaking and my teeth were chattering," said Strauss, who made her first USBC Women's Championships appearance at the 1963 event in Memphis, Tennessee.
Strauss credits the event with helping her see the country and build countless friendships. For her accomplishment, she was presented with a plaque and pendant.
"A lot of times, we came to different states, and we would tour that state and see different things," said Strauss, an 86-year-old right-hander. "We probably would have never done it had we not come to the tournament."
In addition to the travel, the relationships she has with her friends have been a main reason for her attendance at the Women's Championships year after year. She has attended every event since 1969.
"My favorite memory is being in Tampa, Florida, for my 25th year," Strauss said. "One of my good friends had moved to Tampa, and we rarely saw one another. I called her and told her we were coming, and they came to cheer us on."
In addition to bowling with friends, Strauss also has made her Women's Championships journey a family affair. Her daughter, Lisa, just celebrated her 31st year at the event, and her husband of 62 years has traveled with her from the start.
"One of the other girls on the team is like family and has been for years," said Strauss, a 1998 inductee into the Greater Richmond USBC Hall of Fame. "We see the states together, and tomorrow, we are going to California to see friends."
Strauss still bowls in a weekly league on Wednesday nights at AMF Sunset Lanes in Richmond and maintains a 151 average. In her 50th appearance, she shot 479 in team, 469 in doubles and 442 in singles for a 1,390 all-events total at the National Bowling Stadium.
She competes in the Sapphire Division, which includes bowlers with entering averages of 145-159.
While Strauss, who was the sixth of seven bowlers celebrating 50 years at the Women's Championships in 2015, doesn't plan on seeking out the limelight again any time soon, she found the silver lining in her historic moment.
"It's hard if you don't like the limelight," Strauss said. "But all in all, I really did enjoy it, and it was a great experience."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Lucille Strauss of Richmond, Virginia, never has been one to revel in the limelight, but all eyes were on her Friday as she made her 50th trip down Center Aisle at the 2015 United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships.
"I was so nervous that I was shaking and my teeth were chattering," said Strauss, who made her first USBC Women's Championships appearance at the 1963 event in Memphis, Tennessee.
Strauss credits the event with helping her see the country and build countless friendships. For her accomplishment, she was presented with a plaque and pendant.
"A lot of times, we came to different states, and we would tour that state and see different things," said Strauss, an 86-year-old right-hander. "We probably would have never done it had we not come to the tournament."
In addition to the travel, the relationships she has with her friends have been a main reason for her attendance at the Women's Championships year after year. She has attended every event since 1969.
"My favorite memory is being in Tampa, Florida, for my 25th year," Strauss said. "One of my good friends had moved to Tampa, and we rarely saw one another. I called her and told her we were coming, and they came to cheer us on."
In addition to bowling with friends, Strauss also has made her Women's Championships journey a family affair. Her daughter, Lisa, just celebrated her 31st year at the event, and her husband of 62 years has traveled with her from the start.
"One of the other girls on the team is like family and has been for years," said Strauss, a 1998 inductee into the Greater Richmond USBC Hall of Fame. "We see the states together, and tomorrow, we are going to California to see friends."
Strauss still bowls in a weekly league on Wednesday nights at AMF Sunset Lanes in Richmond and maintains a 151 average. In her 50th appearance, she shot 479 in team, 469 in doubles and 442 in singles for a 1,390 all-events total at the National Bowling Stadium.
She competes in the Sapphire Division, which includes bowlers with entering averages of 145-159.
While Strauss, who was the sixth of seven bowlers celebrating 50 years at the Women's Championships in 2015, doesn't plan on seeking out the limelight again any time soon, she found the silver lining in her historic moment.
"It's hard if you don't like the limelight," Strauss said. "But all in all, I really did enjoy it, and it was a great experience."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.