Hello to all! As the weather warms up, it can only mean one thing; the USBC Queens and Senior Queens are right around the corner.

I'm very happy to say, though, that the Queens/Senior Queens will be at the end of a hectic two-week run here at the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center.

Starting on April 14, we are going to take a very small break from Women's Championships competition and welcome the Intercollegiate Team Championships. The top 16 men's and women's teams from all over the country will lace up their shoes on the tournament lanes to compete for a chance at a national championship.

I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty excited.

First and foremost, I'm excited to see some familiar faces from back home. Calumet College of St. Joseph will make its fourth-consecutive ITC appearance, and the team just happens to be from my neck of the woods in Whiting, Ind. I've bowled many leagues and tournaments alongside of these guys, so it'll be great to see them again.

Second, I never had the chance to make it to the ITC during my collegiate career. Although I only bowled for one year at Purdue University (which also will be competing in El Paso), I could sense the excitement in the voices of those around me when the season drew near a close. I wanted to know what that feeling was like. Now, I'll have the opportunity to be front-and-center as two teams raise the Helmer Cup on the tape-delayed finals set for May 5 on ESPN2.

The day after the ITC final, we resume Women's Championships competition by welcoming back our favorite centurion, 101-year-old Emma Hendrickson of Morris Plains, N.J.

I was fortunate enough to chat with Emma a few days ago, and she is ready to hit the tournament lanes for the 51st time. She talked about how much she enjoyed her tournament experience last year, and all of the amazing things she was able to experience afterwards.

Throughout our conversation, though, Emma continually talked about Women's Championships tournament manager Eric Pierson. She commended him on the wonderful job he did in 2009 and hoped she would get to see him again in El Paso. I think this picture explains most of that.

Shortly after Emma heads back to New Jersey, our preparation for the Queens/Senior Queens begins as some of the world's best bowlers make their way to Sun City. Many of the bowlers come into town a few days early to compete in the Women's Championships.

This was the time last year where we saw Robin Romeo shoot 805 in team on her way to the Classic All-Events title. This is where we saw Michelle Feldman bounce back from a rough team and doubles performance to shoot the highest series in Women's Championships history to claim the Classic Singles crown. A lot of big scores were shot around this time last year, and I'm excited to see the encore performance in 2010.

Then we get to the Queens and Senior Queens.

The 2009 event was an absolute blast. We had some record scores, unbelievable matches and an endless amount of amazing storylines.

Whether it was Brenda Edwards' emotional run to the television show after losing her father and nearly giving up the sport, virtual-unknown Janine Primrose's run to the Senior Queens title or Liz Johnson finally capturing the one title that had eluded her amazing resume, we had it all.

What will the 2010 Queens/Senior Queens bring? Only one way to find out...