By Wishelle Banks
USBC Communications

RENO, Nev. - Chris Manier of Vista, Calif., found that a gift from her son proved to be a lucky charm as she made a run at perfection at the 2013 United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships on Sunday.

The 41-year-old right-hander started her singles event with games of 188 and 202 before stringing together 11 consecutive strikes. The 7 pin was the only one left standing on her final delivery, leaving her with the first 299 of the 2013 tournament a 689 scratch series. It was the 13th 299 game in 94 years of USBC Women's Championships competition.

Manier, who competed in the Diamond Division, which is for bowlers with entering averages of 180 and above, received an additional 11 pins of handicap per game to give her a 722 final total. Jeanette Adams of Rancho Cordova, Calif., leads Scratch Singles with 748, while Christine Gill of Lakewood, Colo., holds the top spot in Diamond Singles with 816.

"I was throwing the ball well," said Manier, who made her 13th Women's Championships appearance. "My third game, I moved two boards right and moved my spot on the lane another two boards right as well. I just couldn't miss the pocket. I was striking on every ball and couldn't miss. On my last shot, I let up on the speed just a tad, and I'm pretty sure that's why I left the 7 pin."

Rocio Restrepo of Canton, Ohio, owns the only perfect game at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center this year. Her 300 was 20th in Women's Championships competition and helped her to the Scratch All-Events lead with 2,274, the second highest total in tournament history.

Manier's near-record performance Sunday was in part due to a gift from her son, Steven.

"He won a new ball," Manier said. "I'd been throwing the same ball for the last two years, so he said, 'I'm going to give you the ball I won, and I'm not going to tell you what it is, and you're going to like it.' I've been shooting well with it. It's only my third time using it."

After a strong showing during the 2012 Women's Championships at the nearby National Bowling Stadium, and recording an honor score at the 2013 event, she is looking forward to returning to The Biggest Little City in the World in 2014.

"I got my 300 (in another competition in 2001), and now all I shoot is 299s," said Manier, who has one 300 and four 299s to her credit. "It'd be nice to shoot a 298 and switch it up or something, but that seems to be my lucky game."

Last year, Manier helped her team to an eighth place finish in Ruby Team and cracked the top 50 in Diamond All-Events. This time, she added 558 in team and 513 in doubles for a 1,760 scratch all-events total. With her handicap, she ended up with 1,859.

Handicap in the Diamond Division is 100 percent of 220.

Presenting sponsors for the 2013 USBC Women's Championships include Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno.