Nelson celebrates 60 years at USBC Women’s Championships
May 16, 2024
RENO, Nev. – Jacquelyn Nelson of Siler City, North Carolina, became the sixth bowler to reach 60 years of participation at the United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships with her appearance this week at the National Bowling Stadium.
She made her first appearance at the 1963 event in Memphis, Tennessee, and she was joined in her milestone trip by her daughter, Susan Knutson, and teammates, who all were wearing Carolina Blue (University of North Carolina Tar Heels) jerseys during their team squad.
Their group’s great play on words for their team name was TarHellians.
Nelson was all decked out in a jersey that also had her name and the number 60 on the back of it, to honor the years she has bowled at the tournament.
To commemorate her special milestone achievement, Nelson received a plaque, chevron and beautiful ring.
Since her debut, she has visited 39 different cities and 26 states to compete at the tournament.
The only year Nelson missed her annual appearance on her journey to 60 years was at the 1964 event in Minneapolis, when she was pregnant with Susan.
Nelson said she looks forward to the tournament every single year, and she also likes to get out of town to enjoy a mini vacation with her trips to the USBC Women’s Championships, too.
Her journey has included plenty of fun. She has loved many of the cities that have hosted the tournament over the years, and Reno has been one of her favorite cities to visit so far.
“I love Reno,” said Nelson, a member of the Durham Person Vance USBC Hall of Fame. “It’s a great small town, and the mountains in the background are beautiful to look at. I like the overall atmosphere of the Bowling Stadium as well.”
Nelson has bowled with family in different types of leagues over the years, and she has really enjoyed how bowling has brought together her friends and family.
With her appearance, Nelson now joins Mini Tvaska of St. Petersburg, Florida (67 years); Mary Covell of Chicago (61 years); Onalee Kraus of Coldwater, Michigan (61 years); Nancy Hampton of Carol Stream, Illinois (60 years); and USBC Hall of Famer Anita Cantaline of Warren, Michigan (60 years), in the tournament’s 60-Year Club.
Kraus is scheduled to make her 62nd appearance June 6 in Reno.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women’s Championships page.
She made her first appearance at the 1963 event in Memphis, Tennessee, and she was joined in her milestone trip by her daughter, Susan Knutson, and teammates, who all were wearing Carolina Blue (University of North Carolina Tar Heels) jerseys during their team squad.
Their group’s great play on words for their team name was TarHellians.
Nelson was all decked out in a jersey that also had her name and the number 60 on the back of it, to honor the years she has bowled at the tournament.
To commemorate her special milestone achievement, Nelson received a plaque, chevron and beautiful ring.
Since her debut, she has visited 39 different cities and 26 states to compete at the tournament.
The only year Nelson missed her annual appearance on her journey to 60 years was at the 1964 event in Minneapolis, when she was pregnant with Susan.
Nelson said she looks forward to the tournament every single year, and she also likes to get out of town to enjoy a mini vacation with her trips to the USBC Women’s Championships, too.
Her journey has included plenty of fun. She has loved many of the cities that have hosted the tournament over the years, and Reno has been one of her favorite cities to visit so far.
“I love Reno,” said Nelson, a member of the Durham Person Vance USBC Hall of Fame. “It’s a great small town, and the mountains in the background are beautiful to look at. I like the overall atmosphere of the Bowling Stadium as well.”
Nelson has bowled with family in different types of leagues over the years, and she has really enjoyed how bowling has brought together her friends and family.
With her appearance, Nelson now joins Mini Tvaska of St. Petersburg, Florida (67 years); Mary Covell of Chicago (61 years); Onalee Kraus of Coldwater, Michigan (61 years); Nancy Hampton of Carol Stream, Illinois (60 years); and USBC Hall of Famer Anita Cantaline of Warren, Michigan (60 years), in the tournament’s 60-Year Club.
Kraus is scheduled to make her 62nd appearance June 6 in Reno.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women’s Championships page.