2018 USBC Queens – Talk Tenpin

COTÉ EARNS TOP SEED FOR STEPLADDER FINALS AT 2018 USBC QUEENS

RENO, Nev. – Bryanna Coté of Red Rock, Arizona, will bowl for her first major championship after earning the top seed in the stepladder finals Monday at the 2018 United States Bowling Congress Queens.

The stepladder finals will air live on CBS Sports Network on Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern. The winner will claim the coveted tiara and top prize of $20,000. The USBC Queens is the first major of the 2018 Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour season.

Coté, a 32-year-old right-hander, won six consecutive matches in the double-elimination bracket at the National Bowling Stadium over two days to claim the top seed, including a come-from-behind win against Shannon O’Keefe of O’Fallon, Illinois, in the winners bracket final, 641-637.

O’Keefe was up by 11 pins heading into the third game of the total-pinfall match and had the opportunity to shut out Coté in the 10th frame with a 29-pin fill, but left a 10 pin on her first delivery. Coté needed a mark to complete the comeback, and she converted a 7 pin to earn her spot in the title match.

“My keys were to keep it simple,” said Coté, the 2016 PWBA Lexington Open champion. “I stayed focused, slow and aggressive with my shot. If you’re aggressive and committed to your shot, the pins should fall your way, and I’m thankful they did.”

Coté will bowl for the title for the second consecutive week on the PWBA Tour. She was the top seed at the PWBA Fountain Valley Open but fell to Danielle McEwan of Stony Point, New York, in the finals, 215-182.

She plans on sticking to the same process for Tuesday’s title match, knowing she only can control what happens behind the foul line at the NBS.

“I’m just thankful to be in the position to be on another show,” Coté said. “I’m not going to do much differently, though. I plan on making the best 10 shots I can, and if the pins fall, they fall. I can’t ask for too much, since this is the first time I’ve advanced to the second day of match play at this event, so I’m ecstatic to get this far. I’m grateful to be in this position.”

USBC Hall of Famer and two-time Queens champion Liz Johnson of Palatine, Illinois, Stefanie Johnson of McKinney, Texas, and Amanda Fry of Antelope, California, are the No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 seeds for the stepladder, respectively, after advancing through the elimination bracket Monday.

In the shootout round, Liz Johnson used the momentum of a 287 effort in Game 2 to lead the way with a 731 series to earn the third spot, while Stefanie Johnson grabbed the fourth spot with 663. Fry rolled 225 in her final game to hold onto the final spot with 620.

Sydney Brummett of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was eliminated in the shootout round and finished in sixth place after posting a 585 series.

A total of 191 bowlers from 14 countries competed in three five-game blocks of qualifying over three days this week to determine the 63 players joining defending champion Diana Zavjalova of Latvia in the double-elimination match-play bracket.

Zavjalova, a two-time Queens champion, finished this year’s event tied for 17th place.

Each bracket match leading up to the stepladder included three games, with total pinfall determining which player advanced. The televised portion of the event will feature one-game matches.

All rounds of competition leading up to the stepladder finals were broadcast on Xtra Frame, the exclusive online bowling channel for the Professional Bowlers Association. To subscribe, visit XtraFrame.TV.

For more information on the USBC Queens, visit BOWL.com/Queens.

2018 USBC Queens
At National Bowling Stadium
Reno, Nev.

Monday’s results

MATCH PLAY
Double elimination, three-game matches decided by total pinfall

ROUND 4 – WINNERS BRACKET

(9) Bryanna Coté, Red Rock, Ariz., def. (49) Tina Williams, Phoenix, 658-568.
(5) Stefanie Johnson, McKinney, Texas, def. (45) Clara Guerrero, Colombia, 690-600.
(38) Amanda Fry, Antelope, Calif., def. (19) Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 661-592.
(2) Shannon O’Keefe, O’Fallon, Ill., def. (39) Anna Andersson, Sweden, 665-563.

ROUND 6 – ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $2,200)

(6) Liz Johnson, Palatine, Ill., def. (64) Shannon Sellens, Copiague, N.Y., 683-661.
(25) Josie Barnes, Nashville, Tenn., def. (1) Jenny Wegner, Sweden, 647-620.
(54) Brandi Branka, Fairview Heights, Ill., def. (48) Jennifer Russo, Monmouth Junction, N.J., 654-561.
(26) Sydney Brummett, Fort Wayne, Ind., def. (37) Shannon Pluhowsky, Dayton, Ohio, 666-568.

ROUND 5 – WINNERS BRACKET

Coté def. S. Johnson, 698-683.
O’Keefe def. Fry, 748-688.

ROUND 7 – ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $2,650)

L. Johnson def. Andersson, 733-639.
Barnes def. Kulick, 673-648.
Branka def. Guerrero, 685-590.
Brummett def. Williams, 622-599.

ROUND 6 – WINNERS BRACKET
(Winner earns No. 1 seed for Tuesday’s CBS Sports Network finals; loser is No. 2 seed)

Coté def. O’Keefe, 641-637.

ROUND 8 – ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $3,200)

L. Johnson def. Barnes, 632-630.
Brummett def. Branka, 642-639.

ROUND 9 – ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Three highest scores advance to CBS Sports Network finals, high score is No. 3 seed, second high is No. 4, third high is No. 5, lowest score is eliminated, earns $3,500).

L. Johnson 731, S. Johnson 663, Fry 620, Brummett 585.

EIGHT REMAIN UNDEFEATED AT 2018 USBC QUEENS

RENO, Nev. – Former Team USA member Tina Williams of Phoenix had her family by her side as she recorded three wins Sunday at the 2018 United States Bowling Congress Queens to stay undefeated in the 64-player double-elimination bracket.

Williams is one of eight undefeated players left in match play at the National Bowling Stadium, and a total of 16 bowlers still remain in contention for the $20,000 top prize and coveted tiara presented to the winner.

Match play, which consists of three-game total-pinfall matches, will continue Monday at noon Eastern until the five stepladder finalists are determined. The stepladder finals will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network on Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern.

While Williams collected wins against Germany’s Birgit Poppler (650-523), Jennifer Russo of Monmouth Junction, New Jersey (673-638), and Sweden’s Jenny Wegner (713-580), she also had the support of her family on-site at the NBS, which included her husband, Professional Bowlers Association Tour champion Stuart Williams, and 20-month-old son, Brady.

Her outlook certainly has changed as her family has grown, but she also hopes to serve as an inspiration to her son.

“Since I’ve had Brady, it definitely has been a whole different perspective and I just remember that I truly am out here doing it for fun,” Williams said. “I’m only planning to bowl two stops, so I’m trying to go out there with the right mindset and have fun because no matter what, the most important thing now is that little boy that’s back there. I still bowl because I love it and want to show him that he should strive for his dreams.”

The 37-year-old right-hander’s main goal coming into this week was to advance to the bracket. She knew it wouldn’t be an easy road to navigate, but she stuck to her process in hopes of performing at her best for her son.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself,” said Williams, a three-time National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association All-American at West Texas A&M. “But the main thing I wanted to do this week was make the cut, so it was bonus bowling. I stuck to my routine on every single shot and just trusted the process. And for Brady, I told myself to be brave on every shot.”

Williams now is two wins away from earning a spot in the stepladder finals, and she’ll face Bryanna Coté of Red Rock, Arizona, to start competition Monday.

Regardless of the outcome, she knows she’ll have her biggest fans supporting her until the final ball is rolled.

“It’s really special,” Williams said. “I definitely had my whole village here. My mom is with me, and Stu’s parents are with us. Brady’s running around and having a really good time, and it’s just great that I don’t have to worry about him because I know he’s right there. I’m getting to show him that you should strive to do something that you’re passionate about and makes you happy.”

Other matches in the winners bracket include two-time Queens champion Kelly Kulick of Union, New Jersey, taking on Amanda Fry of Antelope, California, Shannon O’Keefe of O’Fallon, Illinois, matching up against Sweden’s Anna Andersson and Colombia’s Clara Guerrero, who rolled the first 300 game of the 2018 event on Sunday, against Stefanie Johnson of McKinney, Texas.

Two former Queens champions still remain in contention in the elimination bracket – two-time champion Liz Johnson of Palatine, Illinois, and 2006 winner Shannon Pluhowsky of Dayton, Ohio.

Defending champion Diana Zavjalova of Latvia made a valiant run in the elimination bracket after losing in the opening round, winning her next three matches, but was eliminated during the final round of the day by Josie Barnes of Nashville, Tennessee, 697-646. Zavjalova finished tied for 17th place.

All players in this year’s field bowled 15 games of qualifying over three days to determine the 63 competitors joining Zavjalova in match play.

This week’s event is the first major on the 2018 Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour schedule.

All rounds of competition leading up to the stepladder finals will be broadcast on Xtra Frame, the exclusive online bowling channel for the Professional Bowlers Association. To subscribe to watch the action on Xtra Frame, visit XtraFrame.TV.

For more information on the USBC Queens, visit BOWL.com/Queens.

2018 USBC Queens
At National Bowling Stadium
Reno, Nev.

Sunday’s results

MATCH PLAY
Double elimination, three-game matches decided by total pinfall

ROUND 1
(Winners remain in winners bracket. Losers move to elimination bracket).

(1) Jenny Wegner, Sweden, def. (64) Shannon Sellens, Copiague, N.Y., 665-612.
(33) Megan Kelly, Dayton, Ohio, def. (32) Tish Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo., 695-678.
(48) Jennifer Russo, Monmouth Junction, N.J., def. (17) Julia Bond, Aurora, Ill., 684-602.
(49) Tina Williams, Phoenix, def. (16) Birgit Poppler, Germany, 650-523.
(9) Bryanna Cote, Red Rock, Ariz., def. (56) Adriana Perez, Mexico, 640-583.
(41) Missy Parkin, Laguna Hills, Calif., def. (24) Maria Jose Rodriguez, Colombia, 559-542.
(25) Josie Barnes, Nashville, Tenn., def. (40) Britney Brown, Chicago, 612-603.
(57) Lorie Schmidt, Henderson, Nev., def. (8) Tannya Roumimper, Indonesia, 614-613.

(5) Stefanie Johnson, McKinney, Texas, def. (60) Aldila Indryati, Indonesia, 625-597.
(37) Shannon Pluhowsky, Dayton, Ohio, def. (28) Giselle Poss, Nashville, Tenn., 631-549.
(44) Sandra Gongora, Mexico, def. (21) Taylor Bulthuis, Coral Springs, Fla., 620-587.
(53) Estefania Cobo, Puerto Rico, def. (12) Elysia Current, Ephrata, Pa., 725-606.
(13) Sandra Andersson, Sweden, def. (52) Juliana Franco, Colombia, 707-614.
(45) Clara Guerrero, Colombia, def. (20) Diana Zavjalova, Latvia, 667-522.
(29) Sharon Limansantoso, Indonesia, def. (36) Cajsa Wegner, Sweden, 676-561.
(4) Erin McCarthy, Omaha, Neb., def. (61) Briana Zabierek, Lockport, Ill., 687-612.

(62) Dena Buxton, Australia, def. (3) Daria Kovalova, Ukraine, 567-555.
(30) Lilia Robles, Mexico, def. (35) Haley Richard, Tipton, Mich., 723-665.
(19) Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., def. (46) Lindsay Boomershine, Perry, Utah, 655-617.
(14) Danielle McEwan, Stony Point, N.Y., def. (51) Samantha Kelly, Waukesha, Wis., 663-570.
(11) Rocio Restrepo, Louisville, Ohio, def. (54) Brandi Branka, Fairview Heights, Ill., 653-579.
(22) Brenda Padilla, Mansfield, Texas, def. (43) Jennifer King, Cold Spring, Ky., 649-612.
(38) Amanda Fry, Antelope, Calif., def. (27) Sierra Kanemoto, Riverside, Ohio, 646-612.
(6) Liz Johnson, Palatine, Ill., def. (59) Ida Andersson, Sweden, 770-751.

(58) Daria Pajak, Poland, def. (7) Jordan Richard, Tipton, Mich., 634-594.
(39) Anna Andersson, Sweden, def. (26) Sydney Brummett, Fort Wayne, Ind., 661-653.
(23) Stephanie Casey, Yonkers, N.Y., def. (42) Verity Crawley, England, 586-580.
(10) Diandra Asbaty, Chicago, def. (55) Jackie Carbonetto, Clarksville, Tenn., 640-571.
(15) Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Keller, Texas, def. (50) Mandy Etem, Cave Creek, Ariz., 685-646.
(47) Ashly Galante, Palm Harbor, Fla., def. (18) Aseret Zetter, Mexico, 596-540.
(31) Cassandra Leuthold, Lincoln, Neb., def. (34) Kayla Bandy, Salisbury, Md., 667-527.
(2) Shannon O’Keefe, O’Fallon, Ill., def. (63) Karen Marcano, Venezuela, 697-694.

ROUND 2 – WINNERS BRACKET

J. Wegner def. M. Kelly, 713-580.
Williams def. Russo, 673-638.
Cote def. Parkin, 709-618.
Barnes def. Schmidt, 681-519.
S. Johnson def. Pluhowsky, 758-738.
Cobo def. Gongora, 734-664.
Guerrero def. S. Andersson, 639-527.
Limansantoso def. McCarthy, 631-616.

Buxton def. Robles, 616-595.
Kulick def. McEwan, 737-630.
Restrepo def. Padilla, 686-685.
Fry def. L. Johnson, 704-693.
A. Andersson def. Pajak, 704-670.
Asbaty def. Casey, 651-637.
Galante def. Dorin-Ballard, 669-655.
O’Keefe def. Leuthold, 782-657.

ROUND 2 – ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $1,300)

Sellens def. T. Johnson, 623-595.
Brown def. Roumimper, 604-552.
Bond def. Poppler, 677-607.
Rodriguez def. Perez, 663-615.
Indryati def. Poss, 608-596.
Zabierek def. C. Wegner, 649-612.
Current def. Bulthuis, 663-582.
Zavjalova def. Franco, 686-568.

Kovalova def. H. Richard, 695-662.
I. Andersson def. Kanemoto, 624-609.
S. Kelly def. Boomershine, 665-646.
Branka def. King, 675-649.
Brummett def. J. Richard, 657-612.
Marcano def. Bandy, 610-602.
Crawley def. Carbonetto, 591-567.
Zetter def. Etem, 636-586.

ROUND 3 – WINNERS BRACKET

Williams def. J. Wegner, 713-580.
Cote def. Barnes, 661-637.
S. Johnson def. Cobo, 741-687.
Guerrero def. Limansantoso, 732-586.

Kulick def. Buxton, 633-497.
Fry def. Restrepo, 708-648.
A. Andersson def. Asbaty, 677-533.
O’Keefe def. Galante, 649-631.

ROUND 3 – ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $1,500)

Sellens def. McEwan, 738-674.
Padilla def. Brown, 606-532.
Robles def. Bond, 733-598.
L. Johnson def. Rodriguez, 737-637.
Indryati def. Casey, 585-510.
Zabierek def. Dorin-Ballard, 710-663.
Pajak def. Current, 547-538.
Zavjalova def. Leuthold, 695-573.

Russo def. Kovalova, 603-557.
Parkin def. I. Andersson, 668-561.
M. Kelly def. S. Kelly, 618-610.
Branka def. Schmidt, 667-572.
Brummett def. Gongora, 651-529.
Marcano def. S. Andersson, 659-610.
Pluhowsky def. Crawley, 605-584.
McCarthy def. Zetter, 634-561.

ROUND 4 – ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $1,650)

Sellens def. Padilla, 627-539.
L. Johnson def. Robles, 752-599.
Zabierek def. Indryati, 673-631.
Zavjalova def. Pajak, 574-533.

Russo def. Parkin, 667-590.
Branka def. M. Kelly, 652-641.
Brummett def. Marcano, 643-595.
Pluhowsky def. McCarthy, 704-657.

ROUND 5 – ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $1,900)

Sellens def. Cobo, 608-604.
L. Johnson def. Limansantoso, 650-620.
J. Wegner def. Zabierek, 575-532.
Barnes def. Zavjalova, 697-646.

Russo def. Galante, 616-532.
Branka def. Asbaty, 600-582.
Brummett def. Restrepo, 629-601.
Pluhowsky def. Buxton, 630-606.

WEGNER LEADS QUALIFYING AT 2018 USBC QUEENS

RENO, Nev. – Sweden’s Jenny Wegner celebrated her 24th birthday Saturday at the 2018 United States Bowling Congress Queens, and one of her presents was a trip to the tournament’s double-elimination match-play bracket at the National Bowling Stadium.

Wegner led qualifying after 15 games at the National Bowling Stadium this week with a 3,472 total, a 231.47 average, and will headline the 64-player bracket starting Sunday at noon Eastern.

The 2018 USBC Queens, the first major on the 2018 Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour schedule, will run through May 22 at the famed 78-lane venue, with the stepladder finals being broadcast live on CBS Sports Network on May 22 at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Wegner jumped into second place in the standings Friday after posting the highest block of the day (1,185), and she used Saturday’s final round to learn as much as she could about her equipment and the characteristics of the NBS.

She rolled games of 233, 248, 199, 247 and 208 for a 1,135 total Saturday.

“I tried to use every ball in my bag to find out as much as I could for tomorrow,” said Wegner, the 2016 QubicaAMF World Cup champion. “I hoped to find out what I needed to do with surfaces and everything, and I learned a lot in the last five games. I’m just trying to make every shot as well as I can and take it one shot at a time.”

Although Wegner celebrated her birthday nearly 5,000 miles away from home, she certainly felt surrounded by family in Reno. Nine additional players, as well as coaches, made the trip from Sweden, including her sister, Cajsa.

Five of the 10 players from Sweden advanced to match play. Joining Wegner in the top 64 are 2016 Queens runner-up Sandra Andersson, Cajsa Wegner, Anna Andersson and Ida Andersson.

“I love when there are a lot of Swedish people here,” Wegner said. “It feels like home even though I’m so far away. We have our coaches with us, so it’s very comforting. They’re watching every single shot, and from one block to another we are communicating to each other. I always end up bowling on my birthday and am never at home, so I’m kind of used to it, but being able to lead the Queens is a lot of fun.”

Shannon O’Keefe of O’Fallon, Illinois, finished second with 3,439, and Ukraine’s Daria Kovalova, who led the first two rounds of qualifying, was third with 3,415. Erin McCarthy of Omaha, Nebraska, finished fourth with 3,398, and Stefanie Johnson of McKinney, Texas, rounded out the top five with 3,383.

Defending champion Diana Zavjalova of Latvia finished qualifying tied in 19th place with a 15-game total of 3,283. She’ll face Colombia’s Clara Guerrero in Sunday’s opening round of match play.

Zavjalova, a two-time Queens champion, was guaranteed the No. 64 spot in the double-elimination match-play bracket but was able to improve her seeding through qualifying.

Three bowlers tied for the 63rd position in the bracket, resulting in a one-game roll-off to determine the final two competitors advancing to match play. Sweden’s Nina Flack, Venezuela’s Karen Marcano and Shannon Sellens of Copiague, New York, each finished qualifying with a 3,116 total, a 207.73 average.

Marcano delivered six consecutive strikes in the early going to earn her spot in match play with a 233 game, and Sellens advanced with 168. Flack was unable to recover from three open frames and was eliminated with 160.

Marcano, the No. 63 seed, will face O’Keefe, and Sellens, the No. 64 seed, will bowl Wegner.

The match-play bracket will feature three-game matches with total pinfall determining who advances. The five players who make their way through the bracket will advance to the stepladder finals and have the chance to take home the top prize of $20,000.

All players in this year’s field bowled 15 games of qualifying over three days to determine the 63 competitors joining Zavjalova in match play.

For more information on the USBC Queens, visit BOWL.com/Queens.

2018 USBC Queens
At National Bowling Stadium
Reno, Nev.

Saturday’s results

QUALIFYING – ROUND 3
(Top 100; 15 games)

For seeding purposes, ties are broken by high block.

For complete standings and the double-elimination bracket, visit BOWL.com/Queens

1, Jenny Wegner, Sweden, 3,472. 2, Shannon O’Keefe, O’Fallon, Ill., 3,439. 3, Daria Kovalova, Ukraine, 3,415. 4, Erin McCarthy, Omaha, Neb., 3,398. 5, Stefanie Johnson, McKinney, Texas, 3,383. 6, Liz Johnson, Palatine, Ill., 3,363.
7, Jordan Richard, Tipton, Mich., 3,357. 8, Tannya Roumimper, Indonesia, 3,351. 9, Bryanna Cote, Red Rock, Ariz., 3,344. 10, Diandra Asbaty, Chicago, 3,343. 11(tie), Rocio Restrepo, Louisville, Ohio, and Elysia Current, Ephrata, Pa., 3,338.
13, Sandra Andersson, Sweden, 3,330. 14, Danielle McEwan, Stony Point, N.Y., 3,328. 15, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Keller, Texas, 3,311. 16, Birgit Poppler, Germany, 3,291. 17, Julia Bond (n), Aurora, Ill., 3,290. 18, Aseret Zetter, Mexico, 3,288.
19(tie), Diana Zavjalova, Latvia, and Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 3,283. 21, Taylor Bulthuis (n), Coral Springs, Fla., 3,272. 22, Brenda Padilla, Mansfield, Texas, 3,267. 23, Stephanie Casey (n), Yonkers, N.Y., 3,266. 24, Maria Jose Rodriguez, Colombia, 3,254.
25, Josie Barnes, Nashville, Tenn., 3,245. 26, Sydney Brummett, Wichita, Kan., 3,243. 27, Sierra Kanemoto (n), Riverside, Ohio, 3,242. 28, Giselle Poss, Nashville, Tenn., 3,239. 29(tie), Sharon Limansantoso (n), Indonesia, and Lilia Robles, Mexico, 3,223.
31, Cassandra Leuthold, Lincoln, Neb., 3,222. 32, Tish Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo., 3,218. 33, Megan Kelly, Dayton, Ohio, 3,213. 34, Kayla Bandy, Salisbury, Md., 3,210. 35, Haley Richard, Tipton, Mich., 3,207. 36(tie) Shannon Pluhowsky, Dayton, Ohio, and Cajsa Wegner, Sweden, 3,205.
38(tie), Amanda Fry, Antelope, Calif., and Anna Andersson (n), Sweden, 3,190. 40, Britney Brown (n), Chicago, 3,188. 41, Missy Parkin, Laguna Hills, Calif., 3,182. 42, Verity Crawley, England, 3,180.
43, Jennifer King, Cold Spring, Ky., 3,178. 44, Sandra Gongora, Mexico, 3,175. 45, Clara Guerrero, Colombia, 3,174. 46, Lindsay Boomershine, Perry, Utah, 3,168. 47, Ashly Galante, Palm Harbor, Fla., 3,166. 48, Jennifer Russo (n), Monmouth Junction, N.J., 3,165.
49, Tina Williams (n), Phoenix, 3,161. 50(tie), Samantha Kelly, Waukesha, Wis., and Mandy Etem (n), Cave Creek, Ariz., 3,155. 52, Juliana Franco, Colombia, 3,154. 53(tie), Brandi Branka, Fairview Heights, Ill., and Estefania Cobo (n), Puerto Rico, 3,151.
55, Jackie Carbonetto, Clarksville, Tenn., 3,148. 56, Adriana Perez (n), Mexico, 3,147. 57, Lorie Schmidt (n), Henderson, Nev., 3,137. 58, Daria Pajak, Poland, 3,133. 59, Ida Andersson, Sweden, 3,132. 60, Aldila Indryati (n), Indonesia, 3,130.
61, Briana Zabierek (n), Lockport, Ill., 3,127. 62, Dena Buxton, Melbourne, 3,118. *63(tie), Karen Marcano, Venezuela, and Shannon Sellens (n), Copiague, N.Y., and Nina Flack, Sweden, 3,116.

*The three players tied for 63rd place competed in a one-game roll-off to determine the No. 63 and No. 64 seeds. Marcano (233) and Sellens (168) advanced. Flack (160) did not advance.

DID NOT ADVANCE

*65, Nina Flack, Sweden, 3,116. 66, Kristie Leong (n), Daly City, Calif., 3,113.
67, Katie Ann Sopp (n), White Bear Lake, Minn., 3,112. 68, Olivia Sandham, St. Joseph, Mo., 3,106. 69, Nadia Nuramalina (n), Indonesia, 3,105. 70, Natalie Goodman, O’Fallon, Ill., 3,099. 71, Iliana Lomeli, Mexico, 3,097. 72, Anneli Blomqvist (n), Sweden, 3,092.
73, Jessica Mellott, Lauderhill, Fla., 3,091. 74, Jen Higgins, Westerville, Ohio, 3,087. 75, Laura Plazas, Colombia, 3,080. 76, Elise Bolton, Merritt Island, Fla., 3,077. 77(tie), Annie Thorell, Sweden, and Victoria Johansson (n), Sweden, 3,073.
79(tie), Stephanie Schwartz, Racine, Wis., and Summer Jasmin, Beckley, W.Va., 3,068. 81, Leanne Hulsenberg, Pleasant View, Utah, 3,067. 82, Nicole Wilson (n), Livonia, Mich., 3,063. 83(tie), Jordan Newham (n), Aurora, Ill., Sarah Wille, Hoffman Estates, Ill., and Brianna Andrew (n), Orland Park, Ill., 3,062.
86, Maribel Orozco (n), Mexico, 3,052. 87, Jeanne Naccarato, Tacoma, Wash., 3,042. 88(tie), Trisha Reid (n), Columbus, Ohio, and Jasmine Snell (n), Papillion, Neb., 3,041. 90, Kalee Tripp (n), Butte, Mont., 3,037.
91, Kaidee Sutphin, Orlando, Fla., 3,028. 92, Katie Zwiefelhofer, Racine, Wis., 3,026. 93, Nicole Bower (n), Camp Hill, Pa., 3,025. 94(tie), Putty Armein (n), Indonesia, and Bree Macpherson, Australia, 3,020. 96, Trista Kimmes, Eagan, Minn., 3,018.
97, Amanda Vermilyea (n), Apple Valley, Minn., 3,016. 98, Rebekah Martin (n), Melbourne, 3,002. 99, Lauren Pate (n), Inver Grove Heights, Minn., 2,996. 100, Novie Phang (n), Indonesia, 2,993.

KOVALOVA CONTINUES TO LEAD AT 2018 USBC QUEENS

RENO, Nev. – Ukraine’s Daria Kovalova continued to pace the 191-player field at the 2018 United States Bowling Congress Queens and leads for the second consecutive round.

The 23-year-old right-hander rolled games of 211, 230, 205, 267 and 226 for a 1,139 five-game block Friday at the National Bowling Stadium to bring her overall total to 2,384, a 238.4 average.

Kovalova started the 2018 event with a blistering performance Thursday, averaging 249 for her first block. She was eager to return to the NBS for Friday’s second round and quickly settled in after trying a few different things in the early going on the fresh 38-foot lane condition.

Also helping Kovalova settle in was having several of her former Wichita State University teammates in this week’s field.

Kovalova was a standout during her collegiate career with the Shockers. She was named a National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association All-American in each of her four seasons and was the most valuable player during the 2014-2015 season.

“I tried to not get ahead of myself because I was a little anxious and couldn’t sleep very well last night,” Kovalova said. “But it’s great to have my teammates here. I’m much more comfortable knowing they have my back. They always support me, which really is a big thing.”

Kovalova will continue to keep an open mind heading into Saturday’s final round of qualifying.

“I’ll see what’s going to happen tomorrow,” Kovalova said. “The lanes will play a little different, but I will try to stick to what I’ve been using.”

Sweden’s Jenny Wegner put together the highest block during Friday’s second round to jump into second place with 2,337. Wegner rolled games of 236, 279, 233, 221 and 216 for a 1,185 total.

Two-time Queens champion Kelly Kulick of Union, New Jersey, is third with 2,286, while Shannon O’Keefe of O’Fallon, Illinois, and Bryanna Cote of Red Rock, Arizona, round out the top five with 2,275 and 2,271, respectively.

Defending champion Diana Zavjalova of Latvia dropped to 20th place in the standings after a 1,018 block Friday. She has a 10-game total of 2,178.

Zavjalova, a two-time Queens champion, is guaranteed the No. 64 spot in the double-elimination match-play bracket at Queens, but bowling qualifying will give her a chance to improve her seeding.

Qualifying will conclude Saturday, with both squads bowling on the fresh lane condition. All players will bowl 15 games of qualifying over three days to determine the 63 competitors joining Zavjalova in match play.

With five games remaining in qualifying, there are three players tied for 63rd place. Indonesia’s Aldila Indryati, Debbie Ayers of La Mesa, California, and Samantha Kelly of Waukesha, Wisconsin, each are at 2,086, a 208.6 average.

For more information on the USBC Queens, visit BOWL.com/Queens.

2018 USBC Queens
At National Bowling Stadium
Reno, Nev.

Friday’s results

QUALIFYING – ROUND 2
(Top 100; 10 games)

For complete standings, visit BOWL.com/Queens

1, Daria Kovalova, Ukraine, 2,384. 2, Jenny Wegner, Sweden, 2,337. 3, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 2,286. 4, Shannon O’Keefe, O’Fallon, Ill., 2,275. 5, Bryanna Cote, Red Rock, Ariz., 2,271. 6(tie), Liz Johnson, Palatine, Ill., Elysia Current, Ephrata, Pa., and Diandra Asbaty, Chicago, 2,270.
9, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Keller, Texas, 2,238. 10, Stefanie Johnson, McKinney, Texas, 2,230. 11, Rocio Restrepo, Louisville, Ohio, 2,226. 12, Cajsa Wegner, Sweden, 2,219.
13, Cassandra Leuthold, Lincoln, Neb., 2,217. 14(tie), Erin McCarthy, Omaha, Neb., and Jordan Richard, Tipton, Mich., 2,208. 16, Aseret Zetter, Mexico, 2,192. 17, Jennifer King, Cold Spring, Ky., 2,190. 18, Julia Bond (n), Aurora, Ill., 2,187.
19, Sandra Andersson, Sweden, 2,183. 20, Diana Zavjalova, Latvia, 2,178. 21, Josie Barnes, Nashville, Tenn., 2,176. 22, Birgit Poppler, Germany, 2,172. 23, Tish Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo., 2,171. 24, Sierra Kanemoto (n), Riverside, Ohio, 2,168.
25, Kayla Bandy, Salisbury, Md., 2,165. 26(tie), Tannya Roumimper, Indonesia, and Lilia Robles, Mexico, 2,164. 28, Ashly Galante, Palm Harbor, Fla., 2,162. 29, Haley Richard, Tipton, Mich., 2,159. 30, Lorie Schmidt (n), Henderson, Nev., 2,153.
31, Giselle Poss, Nashville, Tenn., 2,151. 32, Shannon Pluhowsky, Dayton, Ohio, 2,149. 33, Danielle McEwan, Stony Point, N.Y., 2,148. 34, Lindsay Boomershine, Perry, Utah, 2,147. 35, Natalie Goodman, O’Fallon, Ill., 2,145. 36, Clara Guerrero, Colombia, 2,144.
37, Maria Jose Rodriguez, Colombia, 2,138. 38, Katie Ann Sopp (n), White Bear Lake, Minn., 2,133. 39, Jackie Carbonetto, Clarksville, Tenn., 2,132. 40, Megan Kelly, Dayton, Ohio, 2,127. 41, Anna Andersson (n), Sweden, 2,125. 42(tie), Nina Flack, Sweden, and Mandy Etem (n), Cave Creek, Ariz., 2,119.
44(tie), Anneli Blomqvist (n), Sweden, and Taylor Bulthuis (n), Coral Springs, Fla., 2,117. 46, Jennifer Russo (n), Monmouth Junction, N.J., 2,114. 47, Summer Jasmin, Beckley, W.Va., 2,113. 48(tie), Stephanie Casey (n), Yonkers, N.Y., and Victoria Johansson (n), Sweden, 2,112.
50(tie), Verity Crawley, England, Brenda Padilla, Mansfield, Texas, Sandra Gongora, Mexico, and Missy Parkin, Laguna Hills, Calif., 2,111. 54, Estefania Cobo (n), Puerto Rico, 2,107.
55, Amanda Fry, Antelope, Calif., 2,104. 56, Kristie Leong (n), Daly City, Calif., 2,101. 57, Trista Kimmes, Eagan, Minn., 2,100. 58, Stephanie Schwartz, Racine, Wis., 2,099. 59, Leanne Hulsenberg, Pleasant View, Utah, 2,092. 60, Kalee Tripp (n), Butte, Mont., 2,091.
61, Ida Andersson, Sweden, 2,089. 62, Adriana Perez (n), Mexico, 2,087. 63(tie), Aldila Indryati (n), Indonesia, Debbie Ayers, La Mesa, Calif., and Samantha Kelly, Waukesha, Wis., 2,086. 66, Tina Williams (n), Phoenix, 2,084.
67, Elise Bolton, Merritt Island, Fla., 2,083. 68, Daria Pajak, Poland, 2,079. 69, Sydney Brummett, Wichita, Kan., 2,078. 70, Jasmine Snell (n), Papillion, Neb., 2,075. 71(tie), Shannon Sellens (n), Copiague, N.Y., Sharon Limansantoso (n), Indonesia, and Lauren Pate (n), Inver Grove Heights, Minn., 2,074.
74, Nadia Nuramalina (n), Indonesia, 2,072. 75, Annie Thorell, Sweden, 2,067. 76, Jen Higgins, Westerville, Ohio, 2,065. 77, Brandi Branka, Fairview Heights, Ill., 2,058. 78, Bree Macpherson, Australia, 2,055.
79, Britney Brown (n), Chicago, 2,053. 80, Desiree Negron (n), Puerto Rico, 2,050. 81, Juliana Franco, Colombia, 2,048. 82, Iliana Lomeli, Mexico, 2,047. 83(tie), Amber Vega, Orangevale, Calif., and Laura Plazas, Colombia, 2,041.
85, Trisha Reid (n), Columbus, Ohio, 2,039. 86, Olivia Sandham, Saint Joseph, Mo., 2,038. 87, Caycee Landers, Brockport, N.Y., 2,037. 88, Karen Barcal, Albuquerque, N.M., 2,034. 89, Kaidee Sutphin, Orlando, Fla., 2,030. 90, Karen Marcano, Venezuela, 2,027.
91, Brianna Andrew (n), Orland Park, Ill., 2,025. 92, Briana Zabierek (n), Lockport, Ill., 2,020. 93, Stephanie Martins, Brazil, 2,019. 94(tie), Joely O’Grady (n), Matawan, N.J., Amanda Vermilyea (n), Apple Valley, Minn., and Nicole Wilson (n), Livonia, Mich., 2,017.
97, Dena Buxton, Australia, 2,016. 98, Mariana Ayala, Euless, Texas, 2,006. 99, Jodi Woessner, Oregon, Ohio, 2,004. 100(tie), Michelle Sterner (n), Niagara Falls, N.Y., Pamela Alvarez, San Diego, and Liz Kuhlkin, Schenectady, N.Y., 2,001.

KOVALOVA LEADS AFTER FIRST ROUND OF 2018 USBC QUEENS

RENO, Nev. – Ukraine’s Daria Kovalova was at the head of the class Thursday at the 2018 United States Bowling Congress Queens, averaging nearly 250 on the way to capturing the opening-round lead.

The 23-year-old right-hander rolled games of 236, 247, 236, 259 and 267 at the National Bowling Stadium for a 1,245 total.

Kovalova started the 2018 PWBA Tour season with a solid start at the PWBA Las Vegas Open in April, finishing 11th overall.

She missed the next two stops, however, as she finished her degree in art and illustration at Wichita State.

“After bowling the first stop, I had my final exams and graduation,” said Kovalova, a four-time National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association All-American. “Since my parents came up, I was able to practice all of last week before getting ready to travel. I also worked on some visualizations and exercises to make sure my game was sharp.”

Kovalova kept her options open while competing on the burn squad Thursday and let this week’s 38-foot lane condition show her the way.

“I didn’t want to have any expectations on how it would play because you never know when it might go wrong,” said Kovalova, who finished tied for ninth place at the 2017 Queens in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “I tried to come out here with a clear mind and not look at it as a burn squad, but rather as just a slightly different pattern. I was able to see what the lanes were showing me and tried to play it and follow the transition and moves, and it worked.”

Sweden’s Cajsa Wegner was second for the day with 1,218, while Team USA’s Shannon O’Keefe of O’Fallon, Illinois, was third with 1,210. A pair of past Queens champions, Diandra Asbaty (2012) of Chicago and Kelly Kulick (2007, 2010) of Union, New Jersey, rounded out the top five with scores of 1,200 and 1,187, respectively.

Defending champion Diana Zavjalova of Latvia is ninth after Thursday’s five-game block with a 1,160 total.

Zavjalova, a two-time Queens champion, is guaranteed the No. 64 spot in the double-elimination match-play bracket at Queens, but bowling qualifying will give her a chance to improve her seeding.

Competition will resume Friday at noon Eastern with the second round of qualifying. All bowlers will bowl 15 games of qualifying over three days to determine the 63 bowlers joining Zavjalova in match play.

For more information on the USBC Queens, visit BOWL.com/Queens.

2018 USBC Queens
At National Bowling Stadium
Reno, Nev.

Thursday’s results

QUALIFYING – ROUND 1
(Top 100; Five games)

For complete standings, visit BOWL.com/Queens

1, Daria Kovalova, Ukraine, 1,245. 2, Cajsa Wegner, Sweden, 1,218. 3, Shannon O’Keefe, O’Fallon, Ill., 1,210. 4, Diandra Asbaty, Chicago, 1,200. 5, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 1,187. 6(tie), Cassandra Leuthold, Lincoln, Neb., and Giselle Poss, Nashville, Tenn., 1,166.
8, Aseret Zetter, Mexico, 1,162. 9, Diana Zavjalova, Latvia, 1,160. 10, Rocio Restrepo, Louisville, Ohio, 1,158. 11, Jenny Wegner, Sweden, 1,152. 12, Adriana Perez (n), Mexico, 1,144.
13(tie), Elysia Current, Ephrata, Pa., Julia Bond (n), Aurora, Ill., and Haley Richard, Tipton, Mich., 1,142. 16, Sandra Andersson, Sweden, 1,134. 17, Sierra Kanemoto (n), Riverside, Ohio, 1,132. 18, Missy Parkin, Laguna Hills, Calif., 1,125.
19, Natalie Goodman, O’Fallon, Ill., 1,121. 20, Victoria Johansson (n), Sweden, 1,118. 21, Stefanie Johnson, McKinney, Texas, 1,115. 22, Christina Kinney (n), Las Vegas, 1,113. 23(tie), Liz Johnson, Palatine, Ill., and Sandra Gongora, Mexico, 1,110.
25, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Keller, Texas, 1,109. 26, Bryanna Cote, Red Rock, Ariz., 1,108. 27, Jordan Richard, Tipton, Mich., 1,105. 28, Taylor Bulthuis (n), Coral Springs, Fla., 1,100. 29, Estefania Cobo (n), Puerto Rico, 1,099. 30, Lauren Pate (n), Inver Grove Heights, Minn., 1,097.
31(tie), Maria Jose Rodriguez, Colombia, and Clara Guerrero, Colombia, 1,085. 33(tie), Karen Barcal, Albuquerque, N.M., and Kayla Bandy, Salisbury, Md., 1,083. 35, Dena Buxton, Australia, 1,079. 36, Kristie Leong (n), Daly City, Calif., 1,078.
37(tie), Tish Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Josie Barnes, Nashville, Tenn., 1,075. 39, Trista Kimmes, Eagan, Minn., 1,074. 40(tie), Jennifer Russo (n), Monmouth Junction, N.J., Mandy Etem (n), Cave Creek, Ariz., and Katie Ann Sopp (n), White Bear Lake, Minn., 1,073.
43, Danielle McEwan, Stony Point, N.Y., 1,071. 44, Britney Brown (n), Chicago, 1,070. 45(tie), Samantha Kelly, Waukesha, Wis., Annie Thorell, Sweden, and Jackie Carbonetto, Clarksville, Tenn., 1,068. 48(tie), Tracie Ball (n), Las Vegas, and Katie Zwiefelhofer, Racine, Wis., 1,066.
50, Tina Williams (n), Phoenix, 1,065. 51(tie), Stephanie Martins, Brazil, and Erin McCarthy, Omaha, Neb., 1,064. 53, Daria Pajak, Poland, 1,061. 54, Nicole Bower (n), Camp Hill, Pa., 1,060.
55, Sydney Brummett, Wichita, Kan., 1,059. 56, Birgit Poppler, Germany, 1,055. 57, Anneli Blomqvist (n), Sweden, 1,053. 58, Lilia Robles, Mexico, 1,052. 59(tie), Emily Peterson (n), West Fargo, N.D., and Anna Andersson (n), Sweden, 1,051.
61(tie), Laura Plazas, Colombia, and Stephanie Casey (n), Yonkers, N.Y., 1,050. 63(tie), Brenda Padilla, Mansfield, Texas, and Verity Crawley, England, 1,048. 65, Shannon Pluhowsky, Dayton, Ohio, 1,047. 66(tie), Jen Higgins, Westerville, Ohio, and Sarah Wille, Hoffman Estates, Ill., 1,044.
68(tie), Jennifer King, Cold Spring, Ky., and Rebecca Broerman (n), Altoona, Iowa, 1,042. 70, Nicole Wilson (n), Livonia, Mich., 1,039. 71, Amanda Vermilyea (n), Apple Valley, Minn., 1,037. 72(tie), Amber Vega, Orangevale, Calif., and Sharon Limansantoso (n), Indonesia, 1,034.
74, Summer Jasmin, Beckley, W.Va., 1,033. 75, Shannon Sellens (n), Copiague, N.Y., 1,030. 76(tie), Lindsay Boomershine, Perry, Utah, and Debbie Ayers, La Mesa, Calif., 1,029. 78, Elise Bolton, Merritt Island, Fla., 1,026.
79(tie), Nina Flack, Sweden, and Jessica Mellott, Lauderhill, Fla., 1,024. 81(tie), Brandi Branka, Fairview Heights, Ill., Karen Marcano, Venezuela, and Megan Kelly, Dayton, Ohio, 1,021. 84(tie), Lorie Schmidt (n), Henderson, Nev., Tannya Lopez, Mexico, and Shawna Strause (n), Tucson, Ariz., 1,019.
87, Juliana Franco, Colombia, 1,018. 88, Blair Blumenscheid (n), Columbus, Ohio, 1,016. 89(tie), Aldila Indryati (n), Indonesia, and Maribel Orozco (n), Mexico, 1,015.
91, Briana Zabierek (n), Lockport, Ill., 1,013. 92(tie), Brandi Calderon (n), Mesa, Ariz., and Brooke Bower, Camp Hill, Pa., 1,012. 94, Tannya Roumimper, Indonesia, 1,011. 95, Natalie Dutton (n), Jenks, Okla., 1,010. 96, Ida Andersson, Sweden, 1,009.
97(tie), Liz Kuhlkin, Schenectady, N.Y., and Brianna Andrew (n), Orland Park, Ill., 1,008. 99, Kelly McCutcheon, Middletown, Pa., 1,007. 100(tie), Olivia Sandham, Saint Joseph, Mo., and Novie Phang (n), Indonesia, 1,006.

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