Veteran overcomes injuries, competes at WC
May 19, 2013
By Wishelle Banks
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - When Queline "Dee" Thomas of St. Paul, Minn., agreed to compete at the 2013 United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships, she didn't know if she'd physically be able to honor that commitment, but she did everything in her power to make sure she was ready to take the lanes at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
Following a fall in July 2012, the 57-year-old right-hander battled back from a broken wrist and surgery on both shoulders in time for her recent USBC Women's Championships debut, and the experience was a memorable one for the U.S. Army veteran.
"Originally, when my teammates first asked me many years ago, I always said no," Thomas said. "When they asked me this year, I said yes, not knowing if I'd really be able to bowl. But I had the willpower to get it done. I'm here for the first time, and I'm looking to do well. Most of all, win or lose, I'm going to have fun."
Thomas, who served in the U.S. Army from 1979-1990, including a stint in Germany, attributed her injuries to the triple whammy of work, bowling and aging. Since she was the sixth bowler, she did not participate in the team event at the Women's Championships this year, but rolled scratch scores of 472 in and 471 in doubles. Her doubles partner, Joycia Hagan, added a 412 series to the doubles effort.
The excitement of her first Women's Championships appearance already has Thomas thinking about competing again next year, including the team event. The 2014 tournament also will be held on the 44 specially-constructed lanes at the RSCC.
"Sure I'll bowl again," said Thomas, who bowls weekly at Midway Pro Bowl in the Twin Cities. "I'm going to bowl with somebody. "I'll come out, I'll be out here a whole week and I'll put my name on the sheet to see if somebody needs me, if I don't already have a team when I get here. It's a great possibility. As long as I'm doing something the whole time, it's exciting."
If everything continues to go well, Thomas also may try her hand at the USBC Open Championships, someday.
"Maybe in a couple years," Thomas said. "Maybe, if I just work hard, really hard. I built myself back up to where I'm at. I go heavy sometimes on the ball, and I go light. Whatever makes my shoulder feel good at the time."
Thomas has been a Metro Transit bus driver for more than two decades. She has been married for 24 years and is an inspiring mom to two sons, a stepson and stepdaughter. She also is a grandmother of 14.
This unflappable veteran sets high standards for herself. With each new day, she challenges herself to discover something new, and then gives it her best.
"If I learn one thing a day, no matter how minute it is, the day is not wasted," Thomas concluded.
Presenting sponsors for the 2013 USBC Women's Championships include Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno.
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - When Queline "Dee" Thomas of St. Paul, Minn., agreed to compete at the 2013 United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships, she didn't know if she'd physically be able to honor that commitment, but she did everything in her power to make sure she was ready to take the lanes at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.Following a fall in July 2012, the 57-year-old right-hander battled back from a broken wrist and surgery on both shoulders in time for her recent USBC Women's Championships debut, and the experience was a memorable one for the U.S. Army veteran.
"Originally, when my teammates first asked me many years ago, I always said no," Thomas said. "When they asked me this year, I said yes, not knowing if I'd really be able to bowl. But I had the willpower to get it done. I'm here for the first time, and I'm looking to do well. Most of all, win or lose, I'm going to have fun."
Thomas, who served in the U.S. Army from 1979-1990, including a stint in Germany, attributed her injuries to the triple whammy of work, bowling and aging. Since she was the sixth bowler, she did not participate in the team event at the Women's Championships this year, but rolled scratch scores of 472 in and 471 in doubles. Her doubles partner, Joycia Hagan, added a 412 series to the doubles effort.
The excitement of her first Women's Championships appearance already has Thomas thinking about competing again next year, including the team event. The 2014 tournament also will be held on the 44 specially-constructed lanes at the RSCC.
"Sure I'll bowl again," said Thomas, who bowls weekly at Midway Pro Bowl in the Twin Cities. "I'm going to bowl with somebody. "I'll come out, I'll be out here a whole week and I'll put my name on the sheet to see if somebody needs me, if I don't already have a team when I get here. It's a great possibility. As long as I'm doing something the whole time, it's exciting."
If everything continues to go well, Thomas also may try her hand at the USBC Open Championships, someday.
"Maybe in a couple years," Thomas said. "Maybe, if I just work hard, really hard. I built myself back up to where I'm at. I go heavy sometimes on the ball, and I go light. Whatever makes my shoulder feel good at the time."
Thomas has been a Metro Transit bus driver for more than two decades. She has been married for 24 years and is an inspiring mom to two sons, a stepson and stepdaughter. She also is a grandmother of 14.
This unflappable veteran sets high standards for herself. With each new day, she challenges herself to discover something new, and then gives it her best.
"If I learn one thing a day, no matter how minute it is, the day is not wasted," Thomas concluded.
Presenting sponsors for the 2013 USBC Women's Championships include Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno.