Barnes, Milligan take over at 2015 USBC Women's
May 08, 2015
RENO, Nev. - Even though United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, was not successful in defending her Diamond All-Events title at the 2015 USBC Women's Championships, she still left the championship lanes the same way she did in 2014 - holding the lead in two events.
After helping defending Diamond Team champion, Bowlieve In A Cure of Arlington, Texas, back into the top spot Thursday night, Barnes paired with 2005 USBC Queens champion Tennelle Milligan to move into the lead in Diamond Doubles with a 1,404 total at the National Bowling Stadium on Friday.
Milligan continued strong and assumed her teammate's spot atop of the Diamond All-Events standings, finishing her 17th Women's Championships with a 2,169 total.
New USBC Hall of Famer Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, New York, and Caryn Evitts of Waukegan, Illinois, previously held the lead in Diamond Doubles with 1,377, while Johnson topped the all-events standings with 2,112.
"I promised Lynda that I was going to bowl better this year," said Milligan, a three-time Women's Championships titlist. "Game 2 started to look like last year again, so in the third game, I told her 'I got it.' It was a big relief on my part."
Barnes and Milligan finished fifth in Diamond Doubles at the 2014 event at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, with Barnes firing a perfect game on her way to a 779 series. Milligan struggled out of the gates but finished strong with a 258 game for a 616 series to get the pair to a 1,395 total.
This year, Milligan led the way with games of 266, 217 and 277 for a 760 series, and Barnes added 194, 234 and 216 for a 644 set.
Milligan started her 2015 campaign with a 740 series and led Bowlieve In A Cure's 2,634 effort in the team event. She needed just 613 in singles to surpass Johnson, and after games of 245 and 223, Milligan cruised into the lead with a 201 finale for a 669 series.
The former Team USA member knew she had been performing well at the NBS this week but was caught by surprise to find out she had taken the lead in all-events, too.
"Even when I finished the team event, I didn't know what I shot," said Milligan, a 38-year-old right-hander. "Same thing in doubles. I knew we had 1,404, but I didn't know our individual totals. I actually started getting a little nervous in Game 2 of singles because I knew I was bowling pretty well. We were all making the moves and having a good time. When I finished the final frame, they all cheered and let me know I took the lead. We'll celebrate today and be happy, but there still are a lot of great ladies coming through."
Milligan now finds herself in rare company as she leaves with the lead in three events, and she credits her teammates for helping her along the way. In the 96-year history of the Women's Championships, only six bowlers have captured three titles in the same year.
"It's hard enough to win one title, let alone three," Milligan said. "I still think the team event is the hardest to win since everybody has to click, but you don't do well for nine games without everyone else along with you."
Barnes finished her title defense by moving into ninth place in Diamond All-Events after adding scores of 677 in team and 615 in singles for a 1,936 total. The six-time Women's Championships titlist was more than happy to see her teammate take her spot in 2015.
"This week has been amazing," said Barnes, who made her 24th tournament appearance. "It's always fun when we get the chance to get together. We always have a blast. To watch Tennelle bowl that well gave me goosebumps. She just threw so many great shots, and it's fun to watch somebody you care about bowl so good."
Leaving with the lead in two events gives Barnes the chance to move into a tie for third place on the career win list with fellow hall of famer Fritzie Rahn of Chicago, who collected eight wins. USBC Hall of Famer Dorothy Miller of Chicago owns the most Women's Championships titles with 10.
"This is the premier event," Barnes said. "It's always been the tournament you come to win. Now that I'm older, the titles still are amazing and still something we strive for, but the chance to spend time with these incredible friends is what it's all about. Winning is a bonus."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
After helping defending Diamond Team champion, Bowlieve In A Cure of Arlington, Texas, back into the top spot Thursday night, Barnes paired with 2005 USBC Queens champion Tennelle Milligan to move into the lead in Diamond Doubles with a 1,404 total at the National Bowling Stadium on Friday.Milligan continued strong and assumed her teammate's spot atop of the Diamond All-Events standings, finishing her 17th Women's Championships with a 2,169 total.
New USBC Hall of Famer Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, New York, and Caryn Evitts of Waukegan, Illinois, previously held the lead in Diamond Doubles with 1,377, while Johnson topped the all-events standings with 2,112.
"I promised Lynda that I was going to bowl better this year," said Milligan, a three-time Women's Championships titlist. "Game 2 started to look like last year again, so in the third game, I told her 'I got it.' It was a big relief on my part."
Barnes and Milligan finished fifth in Diamond Doubles at the 2014 event at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, with Barnes firing a perfect game on her way to a 779 series. Milligan struggled out of the gates but finished strong with a 258 game for a 616 series to get the pair to a 1,395 total.
This year, Milligan led the way with games of 266, 217 and 277 for a 760 series, and Barnes added 194, 234 and 216 for a 644 set.
Milligan started her 2015 campaign with a 740 series and led Bowlieve In A Cure's 2,634 effort in the team event. She needed just 613 in singles to surpass Johnson, and after games of 245 and 223, Milligan cruised into the lead with a 201 finale for a 669 series.The former Team USA member knew she had been performing well at the NBS this week but was caught by surprise to find out she had taken the lead in all-events, too.
"Even when I finished the team event, I didn't know what I shot," said Milligan, a 38-year-old right-hander. "Same thing in doubles. I knew we had 1,404, but I didn't know our individual totals. I actually started getting a little nervous in Game 2 of singles because I knew I was bowling pretty well. We were all making the moves and having a good time. When I finished the final frame, they all cheered and let me know I took the lead. We'll celebrate today and be happy, but there still are a lot of great ladies coming through."
Milligan now finds herself in rare company as she leaves with the lead in three events, and she credits her teammates for helping her along the way. In the 96-year history of the Women's Championships, only six bowlers have captured three titles in the same year.
"It's hard enough to win one title, let alone three," Milligan said. "I still think the team event is the hardest to win since everybody has to click, but you don't do well for nine games without everyone else along with you."
Barnes finished her title defense by moving into ninth place in Diamond All-Events after adding scores of 677 in team and 615 in singles for a 1,936 total. The six-time Women's Championships titlist was more than happy to see her teammate take her spot in 2015."This week has been amazing," said Barnes, who made her 24th tournament appearance. "It's always fun when we get the chance to get together. We always have a blast. To watch Tennelle bowl that well gave me goosebumps. She just threw so many great shots, and it's fun to watch somebody you care about bowl so good."
Leaving with the lead in two events gives Barnes the chance to move into a tie for third place on the career win list with fellow hall of famer Fritzie Rahn of Chicago, who collected eight wins. USBC Hall of Famer Dorothy Miller of Chicago owns the most Women's Championships titles with 10.
"This is the premier event," Barnes said. "It's always been the tournament you come to win. Now that I'm older, the titles still are amazing and still something we strive for, but the chance to spend time with these incredible friends is what it's all about. Winning is a bonus."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.