The PWBA Wichita Open

Last week, I competed in the PWBA Wichita Open at Northrock Lanes in Wichita, Kansas. I flew in just before the Thursday practice session and was able to get a good 45 minutes of practice in. Unfortunately, I was battling a stiff neck that I had treated at home, but it was still not going away. I didn't really realize how bad it was until practice. Every time my swing got to a certain height, it would pull on my neck, hurt extremely bad and cause me to therefore miss my target left. I figured it would hopefully go away by the next day so I could feel 100% going into the tournament.

After the practice session, we had an EBI photo/video shoot and than went back to the room to rest before competition the next day.

This week we bowled on a 38 foot sport pattern with  25.8 mL of oil

The next morning, we started our first six games of qualifying. My neck still wasn't the greatest and I used Bio Freeze to loosen it up a bit. I really struggled the first 3-4 games with my execution, missing a couple of easy spares and even missing the headpin left. I can't even tell you the last time I missed the headpin left, but I did spare the 1-3-6-9. After some Advil and constant Bio Feeze on my neck, I finally was able to start executing and ended up shooting +40 on the block using my Ebonite Game Breaker 2 and Hammer Red Legend.

The next block, luckily everything physically felt better and I was able to fully execute. The lanes were much flatter the 2nd set of 6 games, and scores definitely dropped. I started out on the end pair and struggled, shooting 163 to start the block. I brought it back with clean games of 218 and 214, before hitting another bad pair (on Xtra Frame) and shooting 162. I made a ball change to my new Columbia 300 Urge and shot 234 to have a chance at the cut with a big game. I moved to my last pair and started out the game great, but the lanes changed a bit and I got a little caught up in the transition and ended up shooting 190 the last game to be +21 overall. I missed cashing by 14 pins.

Although I am definitely disappointed with my performance this past week, I am taking care of my injuries with proper care, so that I am ready for next week's competition. Many people don't realize the amount of games that we are competing in does take a toll on our body and really does require proper care. We are athletes and should be treating ourselves as such. Besides practice and working out with my trainer, I also make sure to get the proper care that my body needs. I've been getting a sports deep tissue massage every week and seeing my chiropractor as needed in between the PWBA Tour stops. This week I will be getting at least two deep tissue massages and also a chiropractic adjustment. Hopefully along with some rest, that'll do the trick.

BIG congratulations to Hammer staffer and good friend Stefanie Johnson for dominating and winning the PWBA Wichita Open using the new Track Paradox.

After the PWBA Wichita Open, I caught a ride with Maria Jose Rodriguez and Nathan Bohr from Wichita to Austin, Texas. I'm staying in Austin this week with Maria and Clara Guerrero before heading to our next tournament in Houston. I've never been to Austin before, so I'm excited to see some of the sights. So far I've been to the Oasis, an amazing restaurant overlooking Lake Travis with a gorgeous view of the sunset.

 


I'm excited for this week's upcoming event - The Luci Bonneau Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles. Scott Norton and I look to defend our titles in one of my favorite tournaments of the year! It's also one of the best run events and for such a great cause that is extremely dear to my heart - breast cancer. With one of my bowling Moms passing away from this horrific disease, I always try to do anything and everything to support finding a cure for breast cancer.

Subscribe to Xtra Frame to watch all of the best PWBA/PBA bowlers in the world compete at this amazing event starting Thursday, July 30th.  Until then...