First-time participants share experience at 2023 USBC Open Championships
April 06, 2023
RENO, Nev. – For one group of bowlers from Wenatchee, Washington, the sport helps to keep the tight-knit contingent together.
While they usually assemble at Wenatchee’s Eastmont Lanes, the four-team group recently traveled to the National Bowling Stadium, bringing several new bowlers to create lasting memories at the 2023 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
The teams were coordinated by Shane Johnson, and they marched down the famed Center Aisle for their team event Wednesday in colorful tiki-themed jerseys, catching the eyes of everyone around them.
The 20-player group consisted of many bowlers who continued in their family footsteps of being in the sport, and along with their colorful shirts, Johnson also brought eight first-time participants to experience the USBC Open Championships.
East Wenatchee’s Brian Burns was one of those bowlers at the NBS on Wednesday.
“I’ve always wanted to bowl (the event),” Burns said. “My grandfather bowled his entire life, so I decided to give it a whirl.”
Burns had been away from the sport for more than two decades and only got back into bowling in October. His short time at the Open Championships this week has him hooked for the long run moving forward.
“I was asked to come bowl, and this trip has fulfilled everything I thought it was going to be,” Burns said. “I’m already planning to bowl next year and every year after that until I physically can’t.”
Jennifer Thacker, who’s also from East Wenatchee, is another first-time bowler competing as part of the Eastmont Lanes group at the Open Championships. She’s loved every second in Reno with her teammates and continuing her family’s history of bowling.
“My parents actually met in a bowling alley in Virginia before moving to Washington,” Thacker said. “I got started at age 8, and now, I coach the girls bowling team at Wenatchee High School.”
A majority of the group is involved in their local association in some capacity, with Thacker currently serving as president.
While the new bowlers have enjoyed the chance to experience the tournament and get to take home the popular Eagle figure handed out to first-time participants, the trip also has given them a chance to remember.
“My husband (Sam Thacker) bowled with all of us, and he passed away last year,” Jennifer Thacker said. “I ordered these shirts and had my friend stitch something on all the sleeves as our way to honor him.”
The sleeve of every shirt has the phrase, “Give us a 9 and a wiggle,” something that Sam Thacker often would say when leaving a single pin.
“We had a single pin down there, and we all said that’s Sam,” Jennifer Thacker said. “He’s down there wiggling for us.”
The 2023 Open Championships kicked off March 4 and will conclude July 24. The 143-day tournament will feature more than 9,700 five-player teams and nearly 50,000 bowlers making their way to compete in The Biggest Little City in the World.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
While they usually assemble at Wenatchee’s Eastmont Lanes, the four-team group recently traveled to the National Bowling Stadium, bringing several new bowlers to create lasting memories at the 2023 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
The teams were coordinated by Shane Johnson, and they marched down the famed Center Aisle for their team event Wednesday in colorful tiki-themed jerseys, catching the eyes of everyone around them.
The 20-player group consisted of many bowlers who continued in their family footsteps of being in the sport, and along with their colorful shirts, Johnson also brought eight first-time participants to experience the USBC Open Championships.
East Wenatchee’s Brian Burns was one of those bowlers at the NBS on Wednesday.
“I’ve always wanted to bowl (the event),” Burns said. “My grandfather bowled his entire life, so I decided to give it a whirl.”
Burns had been away from the sport for more than two decades and only got back into bowling in October. His short time at the Open Championships this week has him hooked for the long run moving forward.
“I was asked to come bowl, and this trip has fulfilled everything I thought it was going to be,” Burns said. “I’m already planning to bowl next year and every year after that until I physically can’t.”
Jennifer Thacker, who’s also from East Wenatchee, is another first-time bowler competing as part of the Eastmont Lanes group at the Open Championships. She’s loved every second in Reno with her teammates and continuing her family’s history of bowling.
“My parents actually met in a bowling alley in Virginia before moving to Washington,” Thacker said. “I got started at age 8, and now, I coach the girls bowling team at Wenatchee High School.”
A majority of the group is involved in their local association in some capacity, with Thacker currently serving as president.
While the new bowlers have enjoyed the chance to experience the tournament and get to take home the popular Eagle figure handed out to first-time participants, the trip also has given them a chance to remember.“My husband (Sam Thacker) bowled with all of us, and he passed away last year,” Jennifer Thacker said. “I ordered these shirts and had my friend stitch something on all the sleeves as our way to honor him.”
The sleeve of every shirt has the phrase, “Give us a 9 and a wiggle,” something that Sam Thacker often would say when leaving a single pin.
“We had a single pin down there, and we all said that’s Sam,” Jennifer Thacker said. “He’s down there wiggling for us.”
The 2023 Open Championships kicked off March 4 and will conclude July 24. The 143-day tournament will feature more than 9,700 five-player teams and nearly 50,000 bowlers making their way to compete in The Biggest Little City in the World.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.