Ohio bowler reaches 50 years at USBC Women's Championships
June 22, 2010
EL PASO, Texas - Mary Lackey of Camden, Ohio, reached a personal milestone as she made her 50th appearance at the USBC Women's Championships on Sunday.
The 95-year-old right-hander began her Women's Championships career at the 1957 event in Dayton, Ohio. Her second tournament wasn't until 1961, but since then, she only has missed one tournament (1965 in Portland, Ore.). In her travels to the event, she has competed in 40 different cities in 26 states.
She was joined on her ceremonial march down Center Aisle by Women's Championships Tournament Manager Eric Pierson and was presented with a commemorative plaque, bouquet of flowers and a gold pendant and necklace to celebrate her accomplishment.
"Except for the plaque, I didn't expect any of this," said Lackey, who bowls two of her three winter leagues at Oxford Lanes in Oxford, Ohio. "I was shocked. They really went above and beyond."
Lackey also was happy to have some of her family join her in El Paso to help celebrate the moment. Her son, Jim Lackey, and his wife, Nancy, met her in Sun City to cheer her on at the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center.
"I'm really proud that they decided to join me," Lackey said. "This has been the best accomplishment of my bowling career, so I'm happy they were here with me."
As she approached 50 years, not only at the Women's Championships, but also at the Ohio USBC Women's Bowling Association Tournament, she had set her sights on reaching the milestone at both events. She also made her 50th Ohio USBC WBA Tournament appearance earlier this year.
The ability to compete in tournaments is one of Lackey's favorite aspects of the sport. She still has the drive to be competitive but also loves the camaraderie and appreciation everyone is able to share on the tournament lanes.
"It's been my goal for sometime now," Lackey said. "I'm just glad I can still be here to bowl at my age. My scores weren't outlandish, but my son just told me I averaged higher than my age. I just love to bowl in tournaments, though. Plus, I bowled with such a nice bunch of girls and just really enjoyed myself."
On the lanes, Lackey finished out her 2010 campaign with a 394 series in doubles, 366 in singles and 357 in team for a 1,117 all-events score. She entered the tournament with a 130 average, which qualified her for the Sapphire Division, and she received an additional 20 pins of handicap per game. All scores include handicap.
Lackey now is looking forward to the 2011 Women's Championships in Syracuse, N.Y. She not only is excited to continue her tournament career, but to see another convention-center build for the event.
The build in El Paso marked the first time in Women's Championships history that the event was staged in a convention-center setting.
"I think this setup was very nice, and it's even different from Reno," Lackey said. "I'm excited to see what they'll do next year, and I hope they continue doing this. I've already got my money in for next year. My name is on the list."
The Sapphire Division is made up of bowlers with averages of 149 and below, with handicap based on 100 percent of 150.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Women's Championships are Nationwide Insurance; Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; US Steltronic, official scoring system; Brunswick; Storm Bowling Products Inc.; and the El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The 95-year-old right-hander began her Women's Championships career at the 1957 event in Dayton, Ohio. Her second tournament wasn't until 1961, but since then, she only has missed one tournament (1965 in Portland, Ore.). In her travels to the event, she has competed in 40 different cities in 26 states.
She was joined on her ceremonial march down Center Aisle by Women's Championships Tournament Manager Eric Pierson and was presented with a commemorative plaque, bouquet of flowers and a gold pendant and necklace to celebrate her accomplishment.
"Except for the plaque, I didn't expect any of this," said Lackey, who bowls two of her three winter leagues at Oxford Lanes in Oxford, Ohio. "I was shocked. They really went above and beyond."
Lackey also was happy to have some of her family join her in El Paso to help celebrate the moment. Her son, Jim Lackey, and his wife, Nancy, met her in Sun City to cheer her on at the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center.
"I'm really proud that they decided to join me," Lackey said. "This has been the best accomplishment of my bowling career, so I'm happy they were here with me."
As she approached 50 years, not only at the Women's Championships, but also at the Ohio USBC Women's Bowling Association Tournament, she had set her sights on reaching the milestone at both events. She also made her 50th Ohio USBC WBA Tournament appearance earlier this year.
The ability to compete in tournaments is one of Lackey's favorite aspects of the sport. She still has the drive to be competitive but also loves the camaraderie and appreciation everyone is able to share on the tournament lanes.
"It's been my goal for sometime now," Lackey said. "I'm just glad I can still be here to bowl at my age. My scores weren't outlandish, but my son just told me I averaged higher than my age. I just love to bowl in tournaments, though. Plus, I bowled with such a nice bunch of girls and just really enjoyed myself."
On the lanes, Lackey finished out her 2010 campaign with a 394 series in doubles, 366 in singles and 357 in team for a 1,117 all-events score. She entered the tournament with a 130 average, which qualified her for the Sapphire Division, and she received an additional 20 pins of handicap per game. All scores include handicap.
Lackey now is looking forward to the 2011 Women's Championships in Syracuse, N.Y. She not only is excited to continue her tournament career, but to see another convention-center build for the event.
The build in El Paso marked the first time in Women's Championships history that the event was staged in a convention-center setting.
"I think this setup was very nice, and it's even different from Reno," Lackey said. "I'm excited to see what they'll do next year, and I hope they continue doing this. I've already got my money in for next year. My name is on the list."
The Sapphire Division is made up of bowlers with averages of 149 and below, with handicap based on 100 percent of 150.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Women's Championships are Nationwide Insurance; Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; US Steltronic, official scoring system; Brunswick; Storm Bowling Products Inc.; and the El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau.