Youth share in Kulick's record season

Kelly Kulick continued her dream season last week by winning the U.S. Women's Open, a United States Bowling Congress event, on May 12 at the International Training and Research Center in Arlington, Texas.

On hand to witness Kulick's second major title this season was a group of USBC Youth bowlers who bowl at Cityview Lanes in Fort Worth, Texas. They made the short trip to the ITRC to watch the finals of the U.S. Women's Open.

Tanner Bankston said it was quite different to see an event live and that it was much better to watch the tournament finals in person.

"This has been an amazing experience and I'm happy for Kelly Kulick, for her to win this championship," Bankston said. "It was neat being in the crowd. It was a great experience."

Among the USBC Youth were quite a few Kulick fans, including Courtney Coggins. Coggins was part of the Burleson High School bowling team that came out for the tournament and she held up a sign showing her support of Kulick.

"It was fun and amazing to watch her win," Coggins said. "She's just an amazing bowler and it makes me want to get out and practice more."

Kulick and Liz Johnson are the favorite players of Kelsea Johnson, though Kelsea did admit to rooting for Kulick in the title match. Kulick defeated Liz Johnson, 233-203, in the first live event televised from the new ITRC.

"It was quite an experience to witness," Johnson said of Kulick. "Kulick is a real role model to me. For someone to go that far, that really means a lot."

The youth bowlers were selected by the USBC to give them an opportunity to meet their favorite players, get a behind-the-scenes look at an event and have special VIP seats for the televised finals.