It hasn't happen since May of 1998 but Marianne DiRupo, Succasunna, NJ took home her seventh career title after defeating Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, Calif. 180-158 at the Miller High Life National Players Championship at Funquest Lanes. DiRupo earned a first place check worth $13,000.

"It's been four years since I've won so this is a wonderful feeling," said DiRupo, who was seeded fifth entering the championship round. "I've made a lot of changes in my game in the off-season. Fortunately tonight all of that hard work paid off."

DiRupo's march to the finals started in the opening shootout when she defeated Tammy Turner, Ogden, Utah and Kelly Kulick 266-190-152. DiRupo dominated the game tossing nine strikes including a seven-bagger from frames five thru ten.

In the semi-finals DiRupo continued her surge of momentum by upending Michelle Feldman, Skaneateles, NY 243-191. The graduate from South Carolina University notched nine strikes to Feldman's four.

Billed as the overwhelming favorite based on how she bowled the past week, Barrette was described by one member of the media in attendance as the potential conqueror of the lanes. The 25-time titlest came to Collierville having won two of the last three Professional Women's Bowling Association tournaments. Through the 48-game preliminaries Barrette led the field with a 221.25 average, a 11,130 pinfall and a 17-7-0 match play record.

However, in the finals the scoring pace took on a different look than the previous two matches. Both players marked thru the first five frames but in the sixth Barrette missed a two-pin. In the seventh she failed to pick up the 1-2-10. The back to back open frames helped DiRupo to a 21-pin lead as she continued to mark. DiRupo left the ninth open but Barrette could not make up the gap.

"I just kept my focus frame to frame," said DiRupo. "With Leanne she can get hot quickly so I wasn't going to feel safe until the last ball was thrown."

For her second place finish Barrette collected $7,000. Feldman earned $4,600 for third place while Kulick and Turner took home $4,200 and $3,700 respectively.

Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, Calif. secured the No. 1 seed at the close of the 48-game preliminaries of the Miller High Life National Players Championship at Funquest Lanes. The 25-time titlest earned the top spot after posting a 221.25 average, an 11,130 pinfall and a 17-7-0 match play record. Barrette led the tournament in all six rounds.

"I had a great week but tonight I almost ran out of gas, " said Barrette. "There are so many quality players out here so it's very tough to lead a tournament wire to wire."

The five-time Women's International Bowling Congress All-American has led a tournament in 16 preliminary rounds this season. Thursday's TV finals appearance will be Barrette's fifth straight. The 35-year old has won two of the last three Professional Women's Bowling Association events.

Michelle Feldman, Skaneateles, NY leapfrogged Tammy Turner, Ogden, Utah and Kelly Kulick, Union, NJ with totals of 218.16, 11,042 and 19-5-0 to land the No. 2 seed. The ninth year pro has one title this season and will be making her fifth championship round appearance. Feldmanﾕs 19 wins led the tournament.

The 2001 Rookie of the Year, Kulick, went 7-1 on the evening to give her a 17-7-0 record. The former star bowler from Morehead State University finished with a 216.35 average and a 10,895 pinfall. Kulick is making her first TV finals appearance this season and is seeking her first career title.

Turner, who for rounds three thru five was in second place, fell back two spots to fourth with 218.39, 10,843 and 12-12-0. The former TEAM USA member averaged 258.8 in her last five games of round five, however in the sixth Turner posted her worst eight-game block averaging 197 while going 3-5. Last week at the Dallas Open Turner missed making her first championship round appearance of 2002 when she finished sixth, missing the top five by 31 pins.

Marianne DiRupo, Succasunna, NJ landed the fifth seeded position with 213.64, 10,705 and 15-9-0. DiRupo made her biggest move of the week in the third round when she went from 20th to sixth. Like Kulick and Turner, she will be making her first TV finals appearance of the year.

　

Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, Calif. had no problem keeping her lead after five rounds at the Miller High Life National PlayersChampionship. The 25-time champion is on top of the leaderboard with a 226.12 average and a 9,435 pinfall. Barrette went 5-3-0 in the morning round of match play giving her a 13-3-0 record overall (Ed. note - players earn 30 bonus pins for each match won during match play rounds).

"Obviously having a chance to be the top seed for the TV finals is a nice position to be in," said Barrette. "But, I don't want to lose any momentum so bowling well tonight is still very important."

Being the tournament leader is nothing new to Barrette. The five-time Women's International Bowling Congress All-American has led a tournament in 15 preliminary rounds this season. Entering the players championship the 35-year old has been red-hot having made the championship round the last four weeks while winning two of the last three tournaments.

Tammy Turner, Ogden, Utah stayed in second place after 40 games with 222.67, 9,177 and 9-7-0. The former TEAM USA member averaged 258.8 in her last five games helping her post the highest eight-game pinfall of the round with a 1,888.

Michelle Feldman, Skaneateles, NY trails Turner by 199 pins with totals of 214.95, 8,988 and 13-3-0. Like Barrette, Feldman has been one of the tourﾕs hottest players. The ninth-year pro is attempting to win her second title of the season. Thru nine tournaments she has six top 10s and has appeared in the TV finals four times.

2001 Rookie of the Year Kelly Kulick, Union, NJ is in fourth place with 214.32, 8,873 and 10-6-0. After some inconsistencies thru the first five games Kulick caught fire notching a 728 series in her final three (226-246-256).

Marianne DiRupo, Succasunna, NJ moved into the top five trailing Kulick by 62-pins.ﾊ DiRupo's totals of 214.27, 8,811 and 8-8-0 keep her 60-pins ahead of sixth place Karen Stroud, Victoria, Texas (212.02, 8,751, 9-7-0). With 240 bonus pins available in tonight's final match play round, six additional players still stand in contention to grab one of the five championship round spots.

Some of the top players lurking in DiRupo's rear view include Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, NY (8th - 210.02, 8,701 and 10-6-0), reigning Player of the Year Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas (10th - 210.57), 8,633 and 7-9-0 and Kendra Gaines, Sebring, Fla. (11th - 211.02, 8,621, 6-10-0).

Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, Calif. continued her blistering pace after the four rounds of the Miller High Life National Players Championship. The former Professional Women's Bowling Association Player of the Year went 8-0 in match play (Ed. note - players earn 30 bonus pins for each match won during match play rounds) helping boost her tournament average to 226.78 with a 7,497 pinfall.

"I definitely happy about the way I bowled tonight, but I've seen big leads disappear so by no means am I comfortable," said Barrette. "I had great ball reaction tonight and hopefully it will continue tomorrow."

Nicknamed "Boomer", Barrette got out of the gates quickly with a 760 series (259-268-233). Thru the eight-game block's first six matches she averaged 253.5 including three scores of 259 or higher.

Barrette entered the players championship red-hot having made the championship round the last four weeks. The 25-time titlest has won two of the last three tournaments. Currently she ranks fourth in the PWBA in earnings ($33,690), fifth in competition points (5,484) and first in averages (217.71).

Tammy Turner, Ogden, Utah maintained her spot in second place with 219.34 and 7,139.ﾊ Turner went 4-4 on the evening with a high series of 734 (242-246-246).

Michelle Feldman, Skaneateles, NY charged up the standings to third with the help of a 7-1 mark. The native New Yorker posted victories over six of the tournaments top ten including Karen Stroud, Victoria, Texas (256-200), Turner (258-242), Marianne DiRupo, Succasunna, NJ (278-203), Rachel Perez, San Marcos, Texas (214-179) and Kelly Kulick, Union, NJ (223-192). Feldman finished the evening with 214.75 and 7,082).

"The biggest difference for me tonight was I used a Vortex II Particle which I hadn't used all week," said Feldman. "The ball change definitely helped."

Kulick trails Feldman by 25-pins with 215.84 and 7,057. Seeking her first career title, the PWBA Rookie of the Year went 5-3 on the night.

Stroud, who has been quietly moving up the ladder all week, rounds out the top five with 214.53 and 7,045. The two-time collegiate All-American went 6-2 finishing the session with a 704 series (202-268-234).

Marcia Kamrowski, Boca Raton, Fla., who was serving as the eventﾕs alternate entering the match play rounds, replaced Australian Cara Honeychurch who had to withdraw from the tournament due to illness.

　

For the third consecutive round Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, Calif. ended the eight-game session as the tournament leader. The 16-year pro is averaging 221.75 with a 5,322 pinfall after 24 games.

"Going wire to wire is very tough in an event like this," said Barrette. "With match play coming up anything can still happen."

Tied for third all-time in titles in the Professional Women's Bowling Association annals with 25, Barrette is attempting to win her third championship in the last four weeks. The five-time Women's International Bowling Congress All-American entered the players championship red-hot having made the TV finals the last four weeks.

Moving up from seventh to second was Tammy Turner, Ogden, Utah. Turner's 237 round three average helped her register the best eight-game block of the tournament with a 1,896 pinfall. The former TEAM USA member has tournament totals of 219.45 and 5,267.

Turner started the morning with a 157 but bounced back with six of seven games above 235 including two of the highest scores of the round (272 and 279).

Australian Maxine Nable (215.25 and 5,166) and Rachel Perez, San Marcos, Texas (214.95 and 5,159) stayed at the top of the leaderboard in third and fourth while Rookie of the Year Kelly Kulick, Union, NJ moved into fifth with 213.16 and 5,116.

Marianne DiRupo, Succasunna, NJ made the biggest move of the morning going from 20th to sixth with 212.25 and 5,094. DiRupo completed her block with the top series of 768 (235-267-266).

Laura Lee Daniel, Corona, Calif. was the last player to make the top 24 with 197.70 and 4,745. Jackie Snyder, Cooksville, Ill. was the last to cash in 36th with 177.70 and 4,265.

Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, Calif. continued her assault of the lanes at the Miller High Life National Players Championship. The 25-time titlest maintained the tournament lead with a 225.56 average and a 3,609 pinfall.

"With the kind of talent we have out on tour you can't afford to be complacent, even if you have a lead," said Barrette.

A winner of two of the last three tournaments, Barrette fashioned a 1,775 second round tally including high games of 258 and 257. Through 16 games the five-time Women's International Bowling Congress All-American leads the eventﾕs "200 club" with 14 of 16 above par.

Moving up one spot to second place was Australian Maxine Nable. Nable, who finished the evening with 220.31 and 3,525, completed the second round with the best series of the night registering a 751 (258-268-225).

Reigning Player of the Year Carolyn Dorin-Ballard moved up nine spots to third place with 215.12 and 3,442. Dorin-Ballard posted the top second round total with a 1,819 pinfall. The resident of N. Richland Hills, Texas is coming off a victory last week at the Dallas Open.

Rachel Perez, San Marcos, Texas stayed among the top four with totals of 214.62 and 3,434. Perez's fourth place standing puts her 10-pins ahead of Jennifer Swanson, Shelton, Conn., who ended the night with 214 and 3,424.

Karen Stroud, Victoria, Texas, made the biggest jump in the standings at the close of day one. The two-time collegiate All-American went from 29th to 18th with a 204.50 and 3,272.

Top individual score of the evening session was a 278 by Pauliina Aalto, Finland. Aalto sits in 22nd position with 199.62 and 3,194.

　

　　【PWBA】　Miller High Life National Players Championship　【Round 1】

BARRETTE TAKES AIM AT MILLER HIGH LIFE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Leanne Barrette

　

　　【JPBA】　六甲クイーンズオープン　【ラウンドロビン】

　

　

Carolyn Dorin-Ballard defeated Tiffany Stanbrough, Oklahoma City, Okla. 223-184 to claim the Dallas Open at Don Carter West. The victory, which earned her $10,000, was Dorin-Ballard's first of the 2002 Professional Women's Bowling Association season.

"This is a special win for me," said Dorin-Ballard. "The people of this area have always treated me like one of their own. They really have made me feel like I am one of the family."

A resident of N. Richland Hills, Texas, Dorin-Ballard came into the tournament finals as the event's top seed. During the 42-game preliminaries she had amassed a 215.90 average, a 9,518 pinfall and a 15-9-0 match play record.

In the title match Dorin-Ballard came out red hot striking in the first five frames while Stanbrough registered two strikes and three spares. The defending champion broke the match open in the sixth frame after Stanbrough failed to pick up a 3-7-9 split putting the lefthander behind by 55-pins.

"Even though Carolyn was off to a great start I kept telling myself to hang in there. In any given frame a match came turn around," Stanbrough said.

Following the sixth Stanbrough marked throughout the rest of the match, however Dorin-Ballard proved to be too tough as she never let the lefty pull within more than 38-pins.

"Tiffany is very talented. She's capable of putting strings of strikes together so I wasn't going to take anything for granted until the match was over," said Dorin-Ballard.

Stanbrough, who was the No. 2 seed, earned her way into the finals after defeating Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, NY 194-167 in thesemi-finals. Johnson won the opening shootout 220-212-159 over Kim Terrell, Antioch, Calif. and Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, Calif.

For second place Stanbrough took home a check for $5,500. Johnson earned $3,800 for third while Terrell and Barrette took home $3,000 and $2,500 respectively.

Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas ended the 42-game preliminaries of the Dallas Open at Don Carter West as the tournament's top seed entering Friday night's ESPN2 stepladder finals. The defending champion averaged 215.90 with a 9,518 pinfall and a 15-9-0 match play record (Ed. note - players earn 30 bonus pins for each match won during match play rounds).

"It's extremely rewarding to earn the No.1 seed here in front of family and friends," said Dorin-Ballard. "It's been a tough week of competition and hopefully tomorrow I can make the most of this opportunity."

The reigning Professional Women's Bowling Association Player of the Year, Dorin-Ballard is seeking her first championship of the 2002 campaign. The 13-year pro claimed the 2001 title at the Don Carter's in Fort Worth after defeating Dede Davidson, Las Vegas, Nev. 217-213.

One of four PWBA'ers standing in the way of Dorin-Ballard's title defense is Tiffany Stanbrough of Oklahoma City, Okla. Seeded No. 2 with totals of 213.33, 9,410 and 15-9-0, Stanbrough is seeking her first career title. The lefthander is making her third TV finals appearance this season.

Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, NY, who in rounds' one and three was the tournament leader, ended Thursday in the No. 3 slot with 211.57, 9,276 and 13-11-0. Johnson posted the top individual score of the week on Wednesday when she tossed a 300 against Dorin-Ballard.

Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, Calif. (209.97, 9,276, 15-9-0) finished the week seeded No. 4. Barrette is attempting to win her third consecutive title with victories in the last two PWBA events at the Greater Syracuse Classic and the Empire State PWBA Classic. A win for the five-time Women's International Bowling Congress All-American would tie a PWBA record for the most consecutive titles in a single season. Four other bowlers have accomplished the feat including Dorin-Ballard (2001), Tish Johnson, Northridge, Calif. (1990), Lisa Wagner (1988) and Patty Costello (1976).

Completing the top five cut is Kim Terrell, Antioch, Calif (209, 9,213, 14-9-1). Terrell needed a 205-157 victory over Kelly Kulick, Union, NJ in the final game of match play to secure the last TV finals spot. Terrell leads the PWBA in 2002 TV appearances with six. Including the Open the former TEAM USA member has finished in top 10 in seven of nine tournaments this year.

Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, NY regained the lead after 30 games at the Dallas Open at Don Carter West. Johnson is averaging 217.70 with a 6,741 pinfall. The native New Yorker went 7-5-0 in the first of two 12-games match play rounds (Ed. note - players earn 30 bonus pins for each match won during match play rounds) and completed the day with the tournamentﾕs first 300-game.

"It's funny because I was struggling a little bit before the 300," said Johnson. "I had hit a bad stretch of games and then I got onto a good pair and made the most of it. With 12-game blocks you never know what can happy. I'm just happy I've put myself in a good position for tomorrow."

Johnson's perfect game was the 19th of her career. In 2001 the former TEAM USA member made national news when she notched a 300-game in the title match of the Paula Carter Classic.

Trailing Johnson in second place is Kim Adler of Cocoa, Fla. Adler went 7-5-0 on the day and has totals of 214.10 and 6,633. The 15-time titlest ranks first in the Professional Womenﾕs Bowling Association in earnings ($36,360), third in competition points (5,095) and seventh in averages (215.45).

Defending champion and reigning PWBA Player of the Year Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas moved from 9th to 3rd place with a 7-5-0 mark and sums of 214.06 and 6,632. Dorin-Ballard leads Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, Calif. by 18-pins.

Barrette finished the day with the best match play record with a 10-2-0 mark to accompany her totals of 210.46 and 6,614. The five-time Women's International Bowling Congress All-American is attempting to win her third consecutive title and qualify for her fourth straight championship round.

Tiffany Stanbrough, Oklahoma City, Okla. rounds out the top five with 6-6-0, 213.23 and 6,577. Karen Stroud, Victoria, Texas, made the biggest jump of the round moving up from 23rd to 13th with a 8-4-0 record and 200.90 and 6,267.