Illinois bowler joins 50-Year Club at 2018 USBC Women's Championships
May 03, 2018
By Aaron Smith and Christian Seaborn
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Looking back at five decades of participation at the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships left Carolyn Leifheit of DeKalb, Illinois, feeling several emotions Tuesday as she was recognized for her longevity at the event.
The 75-year-old right-hander became the second bowler this week, and fourth overall at the 2018 USBC Women's Championships, to celebrate her 50th tournament appearance.
Leifheit was presented with a chevron, necklace and plaque prior to the start of her team competition to commemorate the accomplishment at the National Bowling Stadium.
"It was really exciting," Leifheit said. "I could have cried during the presentation."
Her tournament debut was at the 1964 event in Minneapolis, but it would be another six years before a lifelong love of the event would set in for Leifheit. In her second appearance at the 1970 tournament in Tulsa, Oklahoma, her team made a run at the top of the standings.
Leifheit has enjoyed the opportunity to make the event more than just the bowling, too.
"I had no children, so my husband and I could go when we wanted to, and we were healthy enough to do so," said Leifheit, who's visited 34 cities and 25 states throughout her tournament career. "Bowling has given me one huge vacation."
She also credits her teammates for sticking by her side over the course of her journey.
Leifheit and her lifelong friend and teammate, Doris Riippi, graduated high school together and have been on the lanes together at the Women's Championships for the last 48 years.
"I'm already planning on Wichita, but the real excitement for me will be in Las Vegas in 2020," Leifheit said. "That's when I will get to share in Doris' moment, when she's in the spotlight for her 50th year."
In her 50th appearance, Leifheit rolled sets of 448 in team, 414 in doubles and 394 in singles for a 1,256 all-events total.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women's Championships page.
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Looking back at five decades of participation at the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships left Carolyn Leifheit of DeKalb, Illinois, feeling several emotions Tuesday as she was recognized for her longevity at the event.
The 75-year-old right-hander became the second bowler this week, and fourth overall at the 2018 USBC Women's Championships, to celebrate her 50th tournament appearance.
Leifheit was presented with a chevron, necklace and plaque prior to the start of her team competition to commemorate the accomplishment at the National Bowling Stadium.
"It was really exciting," Leifheit said. "I could have cried during the presentation."
Her tournament debut was at the 1964 event in Minneapolis, but it would be another six years before a lifelong love of the event would set in for Leifheit. In her second appearance at the 1970 tournament in Tulsa, Oklahoma, her team made a run at the top of the standings.
Leifheit has enjoyed the opportunity to make the event more than just the bowling, too.
"I had no children, so my husband and I could go when we wanted to, and we were healthy enough to do so," said Leifheit, who's visited 34 cities and 25 states throughout her tournament career. "Bowling has given me one huge vacation."
She also credits her teammates for sticking by her side over the course of her journey.
Leifheit and her lifelong friend and teammate, Doris Riippi, graduated high school together and have been on the lanes together at the Women's Championships for the last 48 years.
"I'm already planning on Wichita, but the real excitement for me will be in Las Vegas in 2020," Leifheit said. "That's when I will get to share in Doris' moment, when she's in the spotlight for her 50th year."
In her 50th appearance, Leifheit rolled sets of 448 in team, 414 in doubles and 394 in singles for a 1,256 all-events total.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women's Championships page.