Dorin-Ballard continues to lead at USBC Queens
April 25, 2010
EL PASO, Texas - United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of Keller, Texas, continued her dominance Sunday at the 2010 USBC Queens as she broke the five and 10-game qualifying records to lead going into Monday's final block of qualifying at the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center.
Dorin-Ballard came out of the gates with a 299 game, and continued to strike as she added games of 254, 250, 235 and 256 for a five-game total of 1,294. Combined with her first-day total of 1,224, she is at 2,518 through the first two days with a 251.8 average.
She beat her own record for the five-game block, when she posted a 1,258 total in the 2001 event on the way to her lone Queens victory. For the 10-game total, she knocked off Wendy Macpherson's 2,454 mark set during the 2000 event.
"I wasn't even aware of the records," Dorin-Ballard said. "I was trying to stay focused and just make good shots. I really haven't felt like I've bowled well since August. I've made changes to just about everything, so I'm finally seeing the results pay off."
Only the top 79 of 200 participants who started on Saturday made it on to Monday's third round, with another cut being made as defending champion Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., joins the top 63 bowlers for the double-elimination match-play format, which starts on Monday at 1 p.m. MDT. Although Dorin-Ballard is firmly inside the cut line, she looks to keep her foot on the accelerator.
"I'm still shooting for the top spot," Dorin-Ballard said. "Maybe in the fourth or fifth game I'll try something different, but I'm looking to go out there and make good shots."
The 20-time PWBA champion knows that a brand-new mentality will be needed once match play begins, since every bowler will have a fresh start.
"You never know with match play," she said. "You don't know how your pair will play, or how your opponent will fair. A lot can happen in three games."
Joining Dorin-Ballard in the top five are USBC Hall of Famer and 1999 Queens champion Leanne Hulsenberg of Roseville, Calif. (2,351), Michelle Feldman of Auburn, N.Y. (2,319), 2007 Queens champion Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J. (2,304) and Kathy Tribbey of Dundee, Ore. (2,304).
Earning the final spot for Monday's third round was Melissa Brownie of Shelbyville, Ky., who finished at 2,061.
Amy Stolz of Castle Rock, Colo., became the third bowler to roll a 300 game during the tournament, to finish at 2,228 for her 10-game total to finish the second day in 15th place. Shayna Ng of Singapore and Jessica Baker of Wichita, Kan., shot 300 in Saturday's qualifying round.
Monday's final round of qualifying begins at 9 a.m. MDT. The double-elimination match-play format will being shortly after at 1 p.m. MDT, and continue throughout Monday and Tuesday. The championship round of the 2010 Queens will be televised live on ESPN2 on Wednesday, April 28 at 8 p.m. EDT.
MILLER-MACKIE SETS 10-GAME RECORD AT SENIOR QUEENS
Dana Miller-Mackie of Albuquerque, N.M., set the USBC Senior Queens 10-game qualifying record Sunday as she took the lead after two rounds of qualifying.
Miller-Mackie, a 16-time women's pro tour winner, shot 2,287, an average of 228.7, at the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center and easily surpassed the old record of 2,097 set by Sharon Powers in 2008.
A day after being in fourth place after the opening round, Miller-Mackie had games of 229, 206, 279, 235 and 209 for a 1,158 total to add to her first-day score of 1,129.
"Today I felt even better than yesterday," said Miller-Mackie, who lost in the Senior Queens title match to Janine Primrose last year. "The more games you get in, the better you start to feel. I'm just fortunate that both my parents are still living and they are here to watch me and my niece Adrienne bowl the Queens. It's a huge motivation to me to bowl well."
Pam Lawrence of Pflugerville, Texas, is second 25 pins behind Miller-Mackie with 2,262, while Char Hammel of Las Vegas is third with 2,209. Powers of Lakewood, Colo., is fourth at 2,172, Paula Vidad of Crestline, Calif., is fifth with 2,170 and first-round leader Patti Schultz of Braidwood, Ill., is sixth with 2,160.
The top 39 players advanced to Monday's final five-game qualifying round. The top 31 players then join defending champion Primrose in the double-elimination match-play bracket starting Monday afternoon.
Dorin-Ballard came out of the gates with a 299 game, and continued to strike as she added games of 254, 250, 235 and 256 for a five-game total of 1,294. Combined with her first-day total of 1,224, she is at 2,518 through the first two days with a 251.8 average.
She beat her own record for the five-game block, when she posted a 1,258 total in the 2001 event on the way to her lone Queens victory. For the 10-game total, she knocked off Wendy Macpherson's 2,454 mark set during the 2000 event.
"I wasn't even aware of the records," Dorin-Ballard said. "I was trying to stay focused and just make good shots. I really haven't felt like I've bowled well since August. I've made changes to just about everything, so I'm finally seeing the results pay off."
Only the top 79 of 200 participants who started on Saturday made it on to Monday's third round, with another cut being made as defending champion Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., joins the top 63 bowlers for the double-elimination match-play format, which starts on Monday at 1 p.m. MDT. Although Dorin-Ballard is firmly inside the cut line, she looks to keep her foot on the accelerator.
"I'm still shooting for the top spot," Dorin-Ballard said. "Maybe in the fourth or fifth game I'll try something different, but I'm looking to go out there and make good shots."
The 20-time PWBA champion knows that a brand-new mentality will be needed once match play begins, since every bowler will have a fresh start.
"You never know with match play," she said. "You don't know how your pair will play, or how your opponent will fair. A lot can happen in three games."
Joining Dorin-Ballard in the top five are USBC Hall of Famer and 1999 Queens champion Leanne Hulsenberg of Roseville, Calif. (2,351), Michelle Feldman of Auburn, N.Y. (2,319), 2007 Queens champion Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J. (2,304) and Kathy Tribbey of Dundee, Ore. (2,304).
Earning the final spot for Monday's third round was Melissa Brownie of Shelbyville, Ky., who finished at 2,061.
Amy Stolz of Castle Rock, Colo., became the third bowler to roll a 300 game during the tournament, to finish at 2,228 for her 10-game total to finish the second day in 15th place. Shayna Ng of Singapore and Jessica Baker of Wichita, Kan., shot 300 in Saturday's qualifying round.
Monday's final round of qualifying begins at 9 a.m. MDT. The double-elimination match-play format will being shortly after at 1 p.m. MDT, and continue throughout Monday and Tuesday. The championship round of the 2010 Queens will be televised live on ESPN2 on Wednesday, April 28 at 8 p.m. EDT.
MILLER-MACKIE SETS 10-GAME RECORD AT SENIOR QUEENS
Dana Miller-Mackie of Albuquerque, N.M., set the USBC Senior Queens 10-game qualifying record Sunday as she took the lead after two rounds of qualifying.
Miller-Mackie, a 16-time women's pro tour winner, shot 2,287, an average of 228.7, at the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center and easily surpassed the old record of 2,097 set by Sharon Powers in 2008.
A day after being in fourth place after the opening round, Miller-Mackie had games of 229, 206, 279, 235 and 209 for a 1,158 total to add to her first-day score of 1,129.
"Today I felt even better than yesterday," said Miller-Mackie, who lost in the Senior Queens title match to Janine Primrose last year. "The more games you get in, the better you start to feel. I'm just fortunate that both my parents are still living and they are here to watch me and my niece Adrienne bowl the Queens. It's a huge motivation to me to bowl well."
Pam Lawrence of Pflugerville, Texas, is second 25 pins behind Miller-Mackie with 2,262, while Char Hammel of Las Vegas is third with 2,209. Powers of Lakewood, Colo., is fourth at 2,172, Paula Vidad of Crestline, Calif., is fifth with 2,170 and first-round leader Patti Schultz of Braidwood, Ill., is sixth with 2,160.
The top 39 players advanced to Monday's final five-game qualifying round. The top 31 players then join defending champion Primrose in the double-elimination match-play bracket starting Monday afternoon.