Illinois bowlers double up at 2017 USBC Women's Championships
May 09, 2017
By Scott Simon and Aaron Smith
USBC Communications
BATON ROUGE, La. - A pair of doubles teams from northern Illinois made their way to the top of the standings Monday at the 2017 United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships, taking the lead in the Ruby and Emerald Divisions.
Bowling just a few pairs away from each other at the Raising Cane's River Center, Peggy Monson of Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and Judy Shaver of Streamwood, Illinois, took the lead in Ruby Doubles with a 1,129 total, while Betty Jean Davis of Herbert, Illinois, and Wendy Mann of South Elgin, Illinois, teamed up for a 1,098 total in the Emerald Division.
Shirley Smith of Upland, California, and Yvonne Parker of Bellflower, California, previously held the lead in Ruby Doubles with 1,109, and Melinda Keeney and Judi Ferguson of Pueblo, Colorado, led Emerald Doubles with 1,076.
Shaver led the way to the top of the Ruby Doubles standings with games of 209, 201 and 200 for a 610 series, while Monson added 207, 183 and 129 for a 519 total.
Shaver and Monson, who bowl together at Poplar Creek Bowl in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, were shocked to learn they were leading.
"This is my first national tournament, and I had no idea we bowled well enough to lead," Monson said. "Maybe I should quit while I'm ahead."
Shaver, however, knew they were putting up a solid score based on watching some of the other competitors Monday at the River Center.
"I will admit, I was paying attention to how others were bowling on our squad," Shaver said. "But I didn't look at the leaderboard before we started. I usually make a habit not to find out the leading scores because it makes me too nervous."
Ruby Doubles includes bowlers with combined entering averages of 350-379.
Mann rolled games of 169, 201 and 209 for a 579 series during her doubles set, and Davis added 200, 184 and 135 for a 519 effort.
The pair knew they were off to a good start, but didn't expect their score to reach the top of the Emerald standings.
"I knew we were bowling well enough to be near the leaders, but I didn't think it would be high enough to be on top," said Mann, who made her 12th USBC Women's Championships appearance and moved into second place in Ruby All-Events with a 1,688 total (558 in team and 551 in singles). "Betty bowled over average, and when she's on, she's on. I didn't start that well, and she pulled me up before I came on strong in the second and third games."
Davis was happy she could provide that support for her teammate after a slow start in the team event Sunday. Davis added sets of 451 in singles and 432 in team for a 1,402 all-events total in the Sapphire Division.
"The lanes were so much easier for me in doubles than team," said Davis, who made her 23rd trip to the Women's Championships. "The lanes were just perfect, and it's extremely exciting to take the lead. I never expected it."
Emerald Doubles features bowlers with combined entering averages of 320-349.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women's Championships page.
USBC Communications
BATON ROUGE, La. - A pair of doubles teams from northern Illinois made their way to the top of the standings Monday at the 2017 United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships, taking the lead in the Ruby and Emerald Divisions.
Bowling just a few pairs away from each other at the Raising Cane's River Center, Peggy Monson of Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and Judy Shaver of Streamwood, Illinois, took the lead in Ruby Doubles with a 1,129 total, while Betty Jean Davis of Herbert, Illinois, and Wendy Mann of South Elgin, Illinois, teamed up for a 1,098 total in the Emerald Division.
Shirley Smith of Upland, California, and Yvonne Parker of Bellflower, California, previously held the lead in Ruby Doubles with 1,109, and Melinda Keeney and Judi Ferguson of Pueblo, Colorado, led Emerald Doubles with 1,076.
Shaver led the way to the top of the Ruby Doubles standings with games of 209, 201 and 200 for a 610 series, while Monson added 207, 183 and 129 for a 519 total.Shaver and Monson, who bowl together at Poplar Creek Bowl in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, were shocked to learn they were leading.
"This is my first national tournament, and I had no idea we bowled well enough to lead," Monson said. "Maybe I should quit while I'm ahead."
Shaver, however, knew they were putting up a solid score based on watching some of the other competitors Monday at the River Center.
"I will admit, I was paying attention to how others were bowling on our squad," Shaver said. "But I didn't look at the leaderboard before we started. I usually make a habit not to find out the leading scores because it makes me too nervous."
Ruby Doubles includes bowlers with combined entering averages of 350-379.
Mann rolled games of 169, 201 and 209 for a 579 series during her doubles set, and Davis added 200, 184 and 135 for a 519 effort.
The pair knew they were off to a good start, but didn't expect their score to reach the top of the Emerald standings.
"I knew we were bowling well enough to be near the leaders, but I didn't think it would be high enough to be on top," said Mann, who made her 12th USBC Women's Championships appearance and moved into second place in Ruby All-Events with a 1,688 total (558 in team and 551 in singles). "Betty bowled over average, and when she's on, she's on. I didn't start that well, and she pulled me up before I came on strong in the second and third games."
Davis was happy she could provide that support for her teammate after a slow start in the team event Sunday. Davis added sets of 451 in singles and 432 in team for a 1,402 all-events total in the Sapphire Division.
"The lanes were so much easier for me in doubles than team," said Davis, who made her 23rd trip to the Women's Championships. "The lanes were just perfect, and it's extremely exciting to take the lead. I never expected it."
Emerald Doubles features bowlers with combined entering averages of 320-349.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women's Championships page.