USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. – Paula Landis of Riverton, Wyo., made her mark Sunday at the 2024 United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships as she tied for the lead in Ruby All-Events.
Having a strong start in team, Landis finished with a 688 series that set her up well. She continued a steady pace of 631 in doubles and finished with 584 in singles. This gave her a final total of 1,903 to tie Amanda Moore of Twin Falls, Idaho, for the lead.
The news of taking the lead always is exciting for bowlers at the USBC Women’s Championships. Bowlers are mainly out on the lanes at the National Bowling Stadium to have fun and compete, and for Landis, it was no different. She was very joyful to hear that she tied for the lead after having a striking run at the 2024 tournament.
“I am flabbergasted. I was not expecting that, and I didn’t even think I bowled that well,” Landis said. “I’m just pretty happy. Singles and doubles were OK, but doubles was better than singles. I was over average 99% of the time, so I was really happy.”
When bowling in a tournament like the Women’s Championships, Landis focuses on her game and keeps all the distractions to the side. The Wyoming bowler tends to not watch the score and just tries to bowl well. This mindset is what helped her performance throughout the weekend.
“I don’t pay attention to the scoreboard at all,” Landis said. “There’s less pressure not watching, especially when we come here to have fun.”
Wrapping up the tournament, Landis is hopeful and excited that there’s a possibility of sharing the title at the end of the 2024 event. Earning this win would mean the world to her and everyone who supported her all the way.
“It will be crazy – it might be a once in a lifetime type of thing for me,” Landis said. “I just think it would be so cool.”
Landis made her 24th appearance at the Women’s Championships this year, and it was her best overall performance. She hopes to keep doing better and better as time goes on.
“This is one of the best times I’ve had at nationals, “Landis said. “I would love to shoot a 300 here at nationals. That would be amazing.”
Overall, it has been a fulfilling experience for Landis, from bowling with her mother and scoring high at the event. The Wyoming bowler leaves with some success on the lanes and great news to share with family and friends.
“It’s been a great time, and everyone is so kind,” Landis said. “It was fun that doubles and singles walked out like team. It set a good vibe for the games!”
The Ruby Division features bowlers with entering averages of 156-175.
ANOTHER 300 ROLLED
Shana Halsey of Norfolk, Neb., helped set the record for 300s at the Championships on Sunday as she rolled the eighth perfect game of the 2024 event.
The previous record of seven 300s in a single edition of the USBC Women’s Championships took place last year at the South Point Bowling Plaza in Las Vegas.
Halsey looked composed and confident throughout her gutsy 300 performance. She fired her 300 right away Sunday in Game 1 of doubles.
“Well, it set the bar kind of high for the rest of the five games that had to come after that,” Halsey said.
After Halsey bowled her perfect game, she was filled with happiness and disbelief.
“I did not think I would ever bowl a 300 game at nationals, because it’s such an intense environment and the shots are a little bit more challenging,” Halsey said.
Her family and friends were also very elated about Halsey’s perfect performance.
“It’s still pretty magical having my teammates cheer me on, and my husband was super-duper excited when I texted him,” Halsey said.
She handled the pressure well, and after 196 in Game 2, Halsey almost bowled another 300 in her third game of doubles. She ended up shooting a solid score of 279 for a 775 series.
“Something that I have always worked really hard at is just trying to keep my mind calm in the situation,” said Halsey, who added 625 in singles and 547 in team for an all-events score of 1,947 in her 11th appearance at the Women’s Championships. “It’s just a shot, so I try to stay focused throughout the roll.”
Halsey has been bowling for most of her life.
“I’ve been bowling since I was a young child, maybe around the age of 4,” Halsey said. “You are just kind of brought up by family and friends when it comes to bowling, and I grew up in a bowling alley.”
The seven other competitors to roll 300 at the 2024 Women’s Championships are:
- Amber MacLeod, Conway, S.C. (singles on April 30)
- Alyssa Ferraro, Deltona, Fla. (singles on April 30)
- Kaylene Bishop, Medical Lake, Wash. (team on May 7)
- Christy Antunez, Grayslake, Ill. (team on May 10)
- Presley Gissendanner, Winter Haven, Fla. (team on May 27)
- Kelly Zapf, Lakewood, Colo. (doubles on June 7)
- Cayla Hicks, Salem, Va. (singles on June 10)