Louisiana bowler celebrates 50 years at USBC Women’s Championships
June 06, 2025
LAS VEGAS – Marilyn Smith of Prairieville, Louisiana, celebrated a major milestone of 50 consecutive appearances at the United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships on Thursday in Las Vegas.
For reaching 50 years, Smith was presented with a plaque, chevron and commemorative necklace at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
Joining Smith were her longtime teammates and friends on Road Runners – 2022 Amethyst Singles champion Melody Haggard, Wanda Babin and Valarie Melancon. When asked how she felt about hitting 50 years, Smith said, “It’s great. I’ve been with the same team for the whole time. Some had to sit out for different things, but I didn’t.”
Bowling with the same teammates for such a long time and living in the same area has created a close-knit community for Smith. She’s really started a bond with those ladies, which led to coming to nationals over many years.
“We all live in the same vicinity – we’re in smaller, different towns, but we all bowl at the same bowling alley at home,” said Smith, who made her first appearance at the Women’s Championships during the 1975 tournament in Indianapolis. “We’ve been bowling together since we started. There was one other girl that bowled with us that passed away three years ago – she was my traveling buddy the whole time.”
Having these lifelong teammates makes celebrating the milestone even better for Smith, because it’s with the people she started with from the beginning.
In addition to bowling with her teammates, Smith loves the traveling aspect of the tournament and has been to all the states in those years.
“It used to be in a different state every year, and I’ve been to every state bowling – that was exciting,” Smith said. “I love traveling, and I’ve done it ever since I can remember. The bowling is just special, and I just enjoyed them all.”
Reflecting on her 50th consecutive appearance, Smith noted so many favorable moments over the years that she couldn’t pick just one, but she’s more than grateful to have this celebration.
“I’m just so excited to be here on my 50th and just grateful,” Smith said. “Next year, I’m going to have (knee) surgery, so hopefully I can bowl.”
Smith celebrated her 50th milestone surrounded by close friends and teammates at South Point with the hopes of bowling next year if everything goes well. She closed her 50th appearance with celebrations and praise around her.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women’s Championships page.
For reaching 50 years, Smith was presented with a plaque, chevron and commemorative necklace at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
Joining Smith were her longtime teammates and friends on Road Runners – 2022 Amethyst Singles champion Melody Haggard, Wanda Babin and Valarie Melancon. When asked how she felt about hitting 50 years, Smith said, “It’s great. I’ve been with the same team for the whole time. Some had to sit out for different things, but I didn’t.”
Bowling with the same teammates for such a long time and living in the same area has created a close-knit community for Smith. She’s really started a bond with those ladies, which led to coming to nationals over many years.
“We all live in the same vicinity – we’re in smaller, different towns, but we all bowl at the same bowling alley at home,” said Smith, who made her first appearance at the Women’s Championships during the 1975 tournament in Indianapolis. “We’ve been bowling together since we started. There was one other girl that bowled with us that passed away three years ago – she was my traveling buddy the whole time.”
Having these lifelong teammates makes celebrating the milestone even better for Smith, because it’s with the people she started with from the beginning.
In addition to bowling with her teammates, Smith loves the traveling aspect of the tournament and has been to all the states in those years.
“It used to be in a different state every year, and I’ve been to every state bowling – that was exciting,” Smith said. “I love traveling, and I’ve done it ever since I can remember. The bowling is just special, and I just enjoyed them all.”
Reflecting on her 50th consecutive appearance, Smith noted so many favorable moments over the years that she couldn’t pick just one, but she’s more than grateful to have this celebration.
“I’m just so excited to be here on my 50th and just grateful,” Smith said. “Next year, I’m going to have (knee) surgery, so hopefully I can bowl.”
Smith celebrated her 50th milestone surrounded by close friends and teammates at South Point with the hopes of bowling next year if everything goes well. She closed her 50th appearance with celebrations and praise around her.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women’s Championships page.