2013 Women's Championships concludes
July 03, 2013
By Matt Cannizzaro and Aaron Smith
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - After 81 days of competition, the 2013 United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships came to a close at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center on Monday.
More than 20,000 women took part in the 94th edition of the storied event, and they provided many exciting moments at the one-of-a-kind 44-lane venue.
Eagle's Edge Pro Shop of Prospect Heights, Ill., surged into the top spot in Scratch Team on May 21 with a 3,357 total, the second-highest in tournament history. The effort started with a 1,207 game, the third-highest in the record book, followed by games of 1,063 and 1,087.
The group, which includes Joey Biondo, Tracy Luncsford, Jonquay Armon, Tina Becke and Keri Caduto, also claimed the 2011 Diamond Team title, while Biondo won Diamond All-Events in 2012.
International standout Rocio Restrepo, now residing in Canton, Ohio, rolled the lone perfect game of the 2013 USBC Women's Championships on June 12 and rode that momentum into the top spot in Scratch All-Events with a 2,274 total, the second-highest in history.
The 25-year-old right-hander was in town to compete at the nearby USBC Open Championships but was able to fit a visit to the Women's Championships into her schedule to compete as a substitute. The 300 game, which was the 20th rolled in Women's Championships competition, helped her to a 782 doubles series. She added 752 in team and 740 in singles.
Chris Manier of Vista, Calif., a 41-year-old right-hander, also made a run at perfection this year at the RSCC but came up short after 11 consecutive strikes, leaving the 7 pin for a 299 game and 689 scratch singles series June 23. She is the 13th bowler in tournament history to accomplish the feat.
The only other honor score of the 2013 event belongs to Kaleena Henning of Lincoln, Neb., who rolled a 290 game on the way to a 721 doubles series May 25. The effort helped her and Kristie Leong of Daly City, Calif., into the top spot in Scratch Doubles with a 1,439 total. The duo received an additional 14 pins of handicap per game and top the Diamond Doubles standings with 1,481.
Jeanette Adams of Rancho Cordova, Calif., posted the highest scratch singles score of the 2013 event with 748 on May 26 and is in position to claim her first Women's Championships title.
All scores, both handicap and scratch, are being verified and are unofficial at this time.
Several other bowlers also made news at the Women's Championships this year with their longevity and commitment to the tournament.
Mini Tvaska of St. Petersburg, Fla., competed in her record 67th-consecutive Women's Championships to extend her own participation record. The 95-year-old right-hander began her tournament career at the 1947 event in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Jacquelyn Baker Nelson of Siler City, N.C., Onalee Kraus of Coldwater, Mich., and Bert Strain of Alhambra, Calif., all were recognized for 50 years of tournament participation.
The 2013 event marked the tournament's record eighth trip to Reno and first visit to the RSCC. This is the second of four consecutive years the Women's Championships will be held in The Biggest Little City. The 44 lanes, spectator seating, office and vendor space, locker room and concessions area all will remain in place for the 2014 event, which also will be held at the RSCC, while the tournament heads back to the National Bowling Stadium in 2015.
It is the third convention-center build in the history of the Women's Championships and first build in Reno since the Open Championships was held at the RSCC in 1990. The two events have been held at the NBS each time since 1995.
The 2013 Women's Championships kicked off April 12 and ran daily from 7 a.m. until 1 a.m.
The 2013 Open Championships also is being held in Reno this year and competition began March 1. The 125-day event is being held at the NBS and will conclude July 7. For the first time, both tournaments were held in the same host city during the same year.
Presenting sponsors for the 2013 USBC Women's Championships include Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno.