Missy Comes in 3rd in Inaugural PWBA Event

This past weekend, I competed in the first regular PWBA event in over 12 years - the PWBA Sacramento Open. I was still in compete and utter shock that I wasn't dreaming on my 7 hour drive up to Sacramento. We do actually have a full-time Women's Professional Bowling tour, which we will be competing in throughout the entire summer!

After the unofficial practice session on Thursday and then the official practice session on Friday morning, we then completed two 6-game blocks of qualifying, followed by a sold-out pro-am later that night.

Prior to the opening qualifying block, I was given the privilege to throw out the first ball of the tournament, alongside Hall of Famer Betty Morris and little 5 year old local Zoe. We represented the past, present and the future of bowling.

Then competition began. The amount of applause, cheering and sheer electricity inside the bowling center was unlike anything I had ever experienced.  I quit honestly had a hard time not tearing up during my first few frames of the actual tournament. Just knowing that my dreams were actually coming true was an overwhelming feeling (and I'm not a super emotional kind of girl.) The center was jam-packed all weekend long, with standing room only for the entire event. It was definitely an amazing opportunity to be able to compete in front of a crowd like that.

My first block of qualifying was very steady, shooting games of 223, 223, 231, 183, 216 and 224  for +100 using my new Columbia 300 Urge, Track Paradox and Ebonite Pivot. I was currently in 6th place. After a quick break, we were back out on the lanes again for round 2. I shot games of 203, 214, 233, 213, 203 and 192 for +158 overall, qualifying 11th going into the top 16 round for MatchPlay.

The next day, we bowled 16 games of round robin matchplay with 30 bonus pins awarded to the winner of each match. I knew winning matches was key. The first block of matchplay was definitely a bit of a roller coaster for me. I won 5 out of 8 matches and had my highest game of the tournament thus far - a 259 and my lowest game - a 168 back-to-back games.

I was tied for 3rd place going into the final 8 game block of the tournament. The top 4 qualified for the live-streamed stepladder finals. Luckily, I had a much more consistent block. I won 4 out of 7 matches going into the stepladder finals and was currently in 4th place. With not many pins between 3rd-6th, I knew I needed to win my match to secure my spot in the stepladder finals. I threw the ball really well and kept the ball in play, defeating Rocio Restrepo 225-185 to move into 3rd place for the stepladder finals.

Qualifying as the tournament leader and absolutely obliterating the field was Kristina Wendell, 2nd seed was Elysia Current and 4th seed was Rocio Restrepo.

First of all, the crowd for the stepladder finals was amazing. The setting was exactly like a TV show with fans along the side of the approach and a HUGE amount of people in the bowling center. All of the fans and many of the bowlers came back for the stepladder finals to watch all of the action unfold. I must say it was an electrifying atmosphere to bowl in.

In the stepladder finals, I faced Rocio Restrepo in the first match. Using my new Track Paradox during the finals, I never missed the pocket the first match coming out of the gates strong and stringing strikes. Rocio started striking in the middle of the match to get back in it, but then missed a difficult spare in the 9th frame to force me to mark in the 9th and 10th frames. I went up and doubled, winning the match 216 to 202.

The 10th frame of Match 1

I then faced Elysia Current in the next match. She had incredible ball reaction and I knew I was going to need a big game. She started out with the first 6 strikes and I was still in the match despite a couple of 10 pins. However, in the 10th frame she needed a mark to lock me out, and left the 3,6 and spared it for the win. I ended up losing 248 to 233.

Elysia then faced tournament leader Kristina Wendell. Elysia kept her great look, shooting another big game - 246 to defeat Kristina's 194 for the win. Congratulations to Elysia Current on her first PWBA Title!

To watch the entire stepladder finals of the PWBA Sacramento Open, click here.

The next stop for the PWBA is the PWBA Lubbock Sports Open from July 16-18 in Lubbock, Texas. Watch all of the action LIVE on Xtra Frame and stay up-to-date with results, bios and news on www.pwba.com 

#letsbowl

Missy Gearing up for Return of PWBA Tour

The 2015 PWBA season returns to action starting with the PWBA Sacramento Open hosted by Steve Cook's Fireside Lanes from July 9-11.

Stay connected with Missy's travels and progress during the PWBA Tour by following Missy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Be sure to follow all of the action this season by visiting the PWBA website - www.pwba.com.

You can also watch all of the action LIVE every tournament by subscribing to Xtra Frame, the online bowling channel. Click here for more information.

Missy Practicing with the New Columbia 300 Urge

See you on the lanes! #letsbowl

Missy Wins PWBA Regional; Baby Reesa Charity Pro-am a Success

Last weekend, I competed in the Parkin's Bowling Supply PWBA Open at Bowlium Lanes in Montclair, CA. The weekend featured three divisions - PWBA, PBA50 and PBA. This also marked the first of several PWBA Regional events since the announcement of the comeback of the PWBA Tour.

The weekend started off with the Baby Reesa Foundation Charity pro-am event immediately following the practice session of the PBA Regional. The pro-am started with a demo day that allowed participants to try out the latest and greatest products from all four EBI brands - Columbia 300, Hammer, Ebonite and Track.

The Demo at the Baby Reesa Foundation Charity Pro-am

Following the demo, we started the 3-game, 9-pin no-tap pro-am event which also featured a silent auction and raffle. The event was a huge success, raising a significant amount of money for the Baby Reesa Foundation. The Baby Reesa Foundation helps families that have children that are born with Krabbe disease, a rare fatal infantile disease. Baby Reesa was diagnosed with this rare disease at six months old. Her parents quickly set up this foundation to help other families deal with the costly medical expenses that are associated with it. For more information on the Baby Reesa Foundation or to donate, please click here.

Pro-am Pros with Baby Reesa and her parents 

The next day, we started the Regional event. The format for the event was 8 games of qualifying. The field was then cut to the top 8 qualifiers for 8 games of round robin matchplay. During qualifying, I shot games of 187, 266, 208, 222, 268, 196, 203 and 200 for +151 to lead qualifying. I used my Columbia 300 N'Sane Antics and Ebonite Game Breaker 2 the entire day.

Top 8 Finalists in the PWBA Regional

Top 12 Finalists of the PBA Regional Event

Top 12 Finalists in the PBA50 Regional Event

Then in round robin matchplay, we faced each opponent once, plus a final position round. For each match win, bowlers received 30 bonus pins and 15 bonus pins for a tie. I went 7-1, losing my only match during the position round, shooting +177 scratch for the 8 games. I averaged 220 for the tournament on the challenging conditions and won the tournament by over 250 pins.

Team C300 and EBI had a strong showing as Clara Guerrero finished in 2nd position and newly joined PWBA member Ginell Walton finished in 3rd place using all EBI products.

The title was even more special since I won alongside best friend Scott Norton, who took home the PBA Regional Title.

For the entire story of the weekend's festivities, click here. 

Until next time...

The 1st official PWBA Stop - The USBC Queens

The 1st official PWBA Stop - The USBC Queens

This week I travelled back to Green Bay, WI for the USBC Queens, which marked the first stop on the new PWBA Tour. It definitely was much warmer than my previous visit in February when it was a brisk -20 (the coldest weather I've ever been in.)

The week started with a ton of photo shoots, a practice session, the first official meeting for the PWBA as well as our 1st official pro-am. With all of the excitement of the new tour and positive energy surrounding the event, I just knew it would be a great week.

First PWBA Pro-am

First Official PWBA Meeting

For the Queens, we bowled on a 42' pattern with heavy volume using the Kegel fire oil. During the first block of qualifying, I bowled very consistent and was happy with my execution shooting games of 247, 226, 201, 213 and 197 for +84. I used my Columbia 300 Disorder, Ebonite Game Breaker 2 and Code of Honor as well as my Track LX16, which put me in 29th overall.

Day 2 of qualifying we bowled on the burn, meaning they did not re-oil the lanes after the first squad. I again bowled well shooting games of 259, 223, 221, 225 and 216 using my Track LX16 and Game Breaker 2. This put me at +228 as I jumped up into 10th place overall.

The final day of qualifying we bowled another 5 games on the fresh. They definitely played flatter and tighter and I struggled to carry consistently but still managed to shoot +7 for the day for +235 overall and qualified in 17th going into match play.

During qualifying we managed to have some free time and tour Lambeau Field, the Home of the Green Bay Packers. The tour was awesome, as we were able to go inside one of the stadium's biggest suites and also were able to go through the same tunnel the players go through every game. Although I'm not a Packers fan, it was still pretty awesome to hear all of the history and stories about the team.

After qualifying, the field was then cut to the top 63 players, plus last year's defending champion Maria Jose Rodriguez. This is where the tournament really begins. The format is 3-game total pin fall matches with a double elimination format.

In my first round of match play I faced Hall of Famer Anne Marie Duggan. I came out swinging, stringing strikes for a clean 259 and then followed it up with a 205 and was up 46 pins going into the last game. I shot a clean 218 to win 681-617.

In my next match, I faced Jodi Woessner on the burn. I unfortunately did not have a good look on the pair and struggled a lot only shooting 573 to her nice 700 series.

Unfortunately the name of the game is to stay in the winner's bracket as long as possible. Since I was thrown into the contenders bracket early, I knew I would have a long road ahead of me.

In the first round of the contenders bracket, I faced Mariana Ayala from Puerto Rico. We again had to bowl on the burn and not wanting to make the same mistakes, I changed my strategy playing further inside with a Columbia 300 Mad Antics.

The match was close. Game one I shot a clean 210 and she shot 202. The 2nd game she came back and shot 229 and I shot 211 and was down 9 pins going into the last game. Not having a great look on the lanes, I managed to stay clean and needed to mark in the 10th frame to win the match. I luckily made a good guess, moved in the 10^th and threw a great shot to strike and win in the close match of 616-604.

The next day, I faced Brenda Padilla. Having a different strategy in mind, I decided to try and break down the lanes far to the right and create some room using a lot of surface. This unfortunately didn't entirely work as I created a good shot but couldn't find a ball that would go through the pins correctly to carry. I never missed the pocket and shot 184 (with a pocket 7-10.) I then managed to string a few strikes together for a 221. I was down 48 pins going into the final game. Knowing I needed a big game, I never missed the pocket but the carry fairy was nowhere to be found, as I shot a clean 216 and lost the match 645-621.

Although I am disappointed with my finish at the USBC Queens this year, I am very happy with how well I am throwing the ball. I'm excited to be home for a bit, work on my game and then bowl the rest of the PWBA Tour this summer.

BIG congratulations to the newest USBC Hall of Famer Liz Johnson for winning the 2015 USBC Queens.

Until next time...

Missy Heads to Hawaii for PBA Regionals

This past week, I headed to the Big Island of Hawaii as well as to Oahu for three total PBA Regional Tournaments. These events are by far one of my favorites throughout the year! I’ve been competing in Hawaii since I was 12 years old, bowling the Aiea Singles Junior Bowling Tournament for many years, prior to competing in PBA Regional events. So it’s always nice to be able to visit with many that I’ve known for a long time, as well as make new friends along the way!

At the first event held at KB Xtreme in Kona, Hawaii, we held a high school bowling clinic prior to the practice session and pro-am. The next day we started qualifying for the PBA Kona Open. I started out with games of 228, 268, 203, 246, 253, 200, 225 and 184 for +207, being the only female and leading the entire field. I used my Columbia 300 Disorder, N’Sane Antics and Eruption Pro.

The field was then cut to the top 8 players for singles elimination matchplay. I faced local boy Rodney Torres in the Round of 8, making his first PBA cut/check debut.  In close matches, I ended up winning the first 3 games, shooting 214, 200 and 198. I then went on to face Josh Blanchard in the Round of 4 for the single game match. Although I bowled well and didn’t miss the pocket, Josh threw the first 8 strikes to prevail. I lost 224-268, coming in 3^rd place overall in the tournament. Not a bad start for the trip!

Besides the bowling Scot Norton and I ventured around the island, visiting petroglyphs, sea turtles, Waipio Lookout, Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls. Then it was off to Oahu for the next two PBA Regional events.

Waipio Lookout

Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls

Before the next two events, we had a day off and took that opportunity to venture to North Shore Oahu. We visited turtle beach, Waimea Bay, Pipeline and Sunset Beach, which were getting some decent surf that day. We then hit up the shrimp trucks for some amazing garlic shrimp – a MUST for all that go to North Shore.

The next day, we competed in the one day event at Schofield Bowling Center. I started out well, but then struggled in the transition and ended up missing the cut with +37 coming in 16^th place. However, I did then cheer on bestie Scott Norton to  a 3-peat as he won the tournament defeating Tom Daugherty.

We then had another day off and used that day to travel to parts of the island that I had never seen before (which is saying a lot since I’ve been to Oahu 15+ times.) We visited a secret tunnel near the blow hole, ate amazing shaved ice at Uncle Clay’s House of Aloha (highly recommend), stopped to see the Makapu'u lighthouse and then ended up at Lanikai Beach, which is absolutely breathtaking!

The following day, we bowled practice session and pro-am for the last of the 3 PBA Regional events at Hickam AFB. Qualifying was the next day and I bowled very well, shooting games of 245, 204, 255, 185, 258, 193, 188 and 233 for +161. I used my Hammer Red Legend to qualify 3^rd overall and face Josh Blanchard in the Round of 16.

The Round of 16 was a best of 5 format so the first person to win 3 games would move on to the Round of 8. The first game was close, but I left a 10 pin in the 10 frame to lose 183-189. I won the next two game 223-192 and 245-237. I then lost some carry at the end of game 4, losing 224-269. So it came down to the last and final game. I couldn’t carry on one lane in the beginning of the match. Meanwhile, Josh pulled a repeat of Kona, striking the front 7 strikes. I ended up striking out for 239, but lost to Josh’s 278.  I finished 9^th place overall for the tournament. 

I then cheered on Scott for the rest of the tournament. He went on to win, again defeating Tom Daugherty in the finals. Scott definitely likes bowling the regionals in Hawaii as this now marks 4 of his 9 PBA Regional titles being captured in the islands.

Overall, the PBA Regionals were a lot of fun and I feel very good going into my next event – the USBC Queens in Green Bay, WI.

Til next time…

Missy Bowls the USBC Women's Championships

Missy recently competed in the USBC Women's Championships at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev.

Competing with fellow teammates Samantha Schaden, Bryanna Caldwell and Cassandra Leuthold, the team faired pretty well.

Missy used her Ebonite Code of Honor for most of the tournament.

Check out the full story here.

Missy Ventures to Munich for Euro Challenge

Last week, I competed in the Bruswick Euro Challenge at Dream Bowl Palace in Munich, Germany as part of the World Bowling Tour/European Bowling Tour.

After a very short week at home (after competing in the Middle East), I hopped the pond again, but this time to Europe. I was very excited for the week ahead and happy to be competing in the Euro Challenge once again.

The Brunswick Euro Challenge consists of 6 games of qualifying in a beat the board type of format. You can re-enter as many times as you'd like. The top 52 bowlers make the cut with the top 12 earning a bye into the second round of the finals. There was also an early bird special qualifying which advanced the top 8 bowlers from the first 6 squads that had not already qualified in the main cut. Women again received 8 pins of handicap per game.

After a long flight, I decided to combat the jet lag by bowling a squad since it was part of the early bird special qualifying. I bowled decent shooting games of 224, 201, 220, 189, 206 and 226 for +66 scratch, which wouldn't be enough for the cut, but definitely gave me some ideas on how the lanes would be playing.

The next day, I again bowled another squad as it was the last day for the early bird qualifying. I started out very well shooting games of 243, 226, 223, 224, 202 and ended on a rather sour note shooting 185. Overall this put me at +103 scratch (+151 with handicap), which would be very close for making the early bird cut. I used my Columbia 300 N'Sane Antics as well as my Hammer Red Legend for the entire block.

The following day, was the highlight of my trip. Anyone that really knows me, knows that I have a fascination with castles, specifically medieval and a HUGE love for Disney. With that said, one castle has been on my bucket list for a VERY long time - Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps. This castle built in the 1800s inspired Walt Disney when he built Sleeping Beauty's Castle inside Disneyland and Cinderella's castle inside Disney World.

After a trolley, subway and train ride, we arrived 2.5 hours later at the magnificent little town which housed the amazing castle perched up on the mountain. What made the trip even more fun was that Kelly and I had a big group of bowlers that came along for the adventure - Sean Rash, Tom Hess, Jason Sterner, Danielle McEwan and Marshall Kent.

We took a horse-drawn carriage up to the castle and took a tour of the inside. The castle was never fully completed as the King died during the construction. After the tour, we ventured to a bridge that was above a waterfall and had amazing views of the castle in its entirety. The path was a little icy, but that definitely didn't stop us from going to see the views. We were also able to see King Ludwig II's summer home as well. The castle was definitely everything I imagined it would be and more!

The next day, I bowled another squad, as I was still not sure if my scores from the early bird would be enough. I shot games of 220, 204, 235, 221, 191 and then experimented the last game a bit. Although my scores were't higher, I did learn a few things for the finals. I again used the same bowling balls, as well as my Ebonite Code of Honor.

The next day, I took the day off from bowling as it looked like my scores would hold up from the early bird. I ventured to downtown Munich and watched the glockenspiel clock that performs every day at noon. I ventured to the famous Hofbrauhaus to see the crazy beer hall. I also visited a few churches and climbed 304 stairs to the top of St. Peter's church for some amazing views of Munich.

Inside the Hofbrauhaus 

View from the top of St. Peter's Church 

The finals were the next day. The first round of the finals consisted of 6 games from scratch with 52 total bowlers competing, with the top 16 advancing to the next round. I bowled very well shooting games of 235, 242, 224, 203, 198 and 230 for +132 scratch and came in 7th for that round. I again used my Columbia 300 N'Sane Antics and Hammer Red Legend the entire block.

The 2nd round of the finals consisted of 28 bowlers (16 that advanced as well as the top 12 from the qualifying rounds). We bowled another 6 games from scratch with the top 8 advancing to the next round. I didn't have a great look to start and ended up playing the lanes wrong to start out, luckily I brought it back and ended much better. Although I didn't advance to the next round, I still had a great tournament coming in 17th place overall.


BIG congratulations to C300 Teammate Josh Blanchard for leading qualifying and the finals and going on to win the Brunswick Euro Challenge, earning his first National PBA title. #letsbowl #TeamC300