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...

Missy Comes in 3rd in PWBA Lubbock Sports Open

This past week, I competed in the 2nd PWBA Tour stop - the PWBA Lubbock Sports Open in Lubbock, TX.

Coming off of last week's stepladder finals, I felt great going into this week. This week, we competed on a 40 foot pattern with higher volume, so a few feet shorter than Sacramento's 44 foot pattern. Each week, we find out the pattern just before our Thursday afternoon practice session. Here it is. 

In the first block of qualifying, I started out of the gates strong, shooting 279 (and I was on the live stream pair.) I followed that up shooting very steady with games of 197, 196, 226, 218 and 235 for +151 using my New Hammer Red Legend Solid.

We then had a short break and came back for 6 more games of qualifying later that afternoon. The 2nd block the lanes were definitely flatter and more difficult in my opinion. I shot games of 215, 204, 207 and then hit the end pair 39-40. To say I struggled a lot was an understatement. I tried a variety of bowling balls and angles and couldn't seem to stay clean shooting 137 game 4. I then brought it back shooting 199 and 259 to end the block at +21 shooting +172 overall for the 12 games of qualifying. Luckily 39-40 were out of play during match play.

I qualified 2nd going into the top 16 round robin match play finals, behind Singapore's Jazreel Tan who was dominating the field at +297. We then bowled 16 games all on Saturday to determine who would advance to the top 4 stepladder finals. The winner of each match received 30 bonus pins and 15 pins for a tie. So again, winning matches was key.

In the first 8 games of match play, I won 5 out of 8 matches and used my Hammer Red Legend Solid, Ebonite Warrior and Hammer Red Legend. With 8 more games of match play to go, I was currently in 3rd place for the stepladder finals and not very far in the top 4 cut.

I knew I needed a big set and definitely needed to win matches. I shot very steady my next 8 games of matchplay and had won 4 out of 7 matches going into the position round match. I shot a huge game 5 - a 268 to jump me into 2nd place and only 100 pins back from Jazreel Tan who had remained in 1st place. 100 pins sounds like a lot, but I knew I would be facing her in game 7 of matchplay and also in the final position round, so winning both matches would get me within 40 pins, which was doable. Unfortunately, game 6 and game 7, I lost both matches by less than 5 pins, making the gap between 1st and 2nd pretty big.

I was 2nd seed going into the final position round and needed to win my match and shoot a decent game to stay the No. 2 seed. Stefanie Johnson had picked up some ground and was only 46 pins behind me.  With not a great look on the position round pair and using my Hammer Red Legend on the left lane and Ebonite Warrior on the right lane, I managed to string a few strikes together to defeat Jazreel 204-202 in the position round and secure my spot as the No. 2 seed.

Here are the Top 4 for the stepladder finals (from right to left): 

Leader - Jazreel Tan, 2nd - Missy Parkin, 3rd - Stefanie Johnson and 4th - Danielle McEwan

The stepladder finals were bowled again on the same pair as my position round game. Although I will admit that was not my favorite pair in the house, I was still very confident going into the stepladder finals, especially after a great performance during last week's stepladder finals in Sacramento. I faced fellow EBI staffer Stefanie Johnson, who had defeated Danielle McEwan in the opening match 233-159.

After practicing on the pair prior to the start of the stepladder finals and even prior to my match, I thought I had a good look. Well that quickly changed as I couldn't get my ball to face up correctly and had to change balls 3 times during the match. Even though I ended up shooting 158, I will say that is probably the best 150 game I've ever bowled. I made a lot of great shots, I just couldn't get my ball to face up correctly.

I'm definitely disappointed with my 3rd place finish this week. I know that I did improve some things from last week's 3rd place finish in Sacramento. Last week, I had some crazy spare issues during match play. This week, I bowled much better at my spares and in 29 games, I missed one single pin (which is still unacceptable, but definitely better than the previous week.) I also bowled more consistent overall and am throwing the ball better physically as well.

Although I still have some things to work on and am still seeking that 1st PWBA title, I am pleased with making back-to-back stepladder finals and feel confident going into next week's tournament in Wichita, Kansas. Congratulations to Singapore's Jazreel Tan on winning the PWBA Lubbock Sports Open!

Until then...

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…