TF bowlers compete at national tourney

Eight women from Thompson Falls earned a chance to go to the 99th USBC Women's Championships. The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) hosted the annual tournament in Reno, Nevada, where ore than 16,000 women came to compete in the six different divisions. The players came from all over America and there were even a few players from some international countries. The whole tournament lasted 74 days.

The two teams that represented Thompson Falls were the Fun Team with Peggy Reller, Renee Klinger, Nancy Fields, and Ginger Ward, and the Scatter Pins with Wendy Kelley, Nancy Gressang, Sandi Torres, and Tammy Kearby.

The Scatter Pins took 182nd place in the Ruby division, which is the second hardest division to compete in, they also made the payout. Nancy Fields took 114th in the Amethyst division and got a payout. Peggy Reller took 171st in the Topaz division, with a payout. In the doubles event, Nancy Gressang and Wendy Kelley took 348th in the Amethyst division, with a great payout.

The big winner of the group was Wendy Kelley, bowling 20-30 pins over her average, every game for nine games. Kelley placed 79th in all events, 145th in singles, 182nd in team, and 348th in doubles. Kelley played in the Amethyst division for all of her events except for the Team division, which she played in the Ruby division.

"This was Wendy's first year competing in Nationals. She is looking forward to next year for the 100th tournament in Wichita, Kansas," said teammate Sandi Torres.