NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt bowling student-athletes past and present opened summer competition at USBC Queens and USBC U22 Queens with action being highlighted by associate head coach Josie Barnes’ title win.
“It’s honestly still hard to believe,” Barnes said. “As a young girl growing up watching the best of the best on TV, you wanted to win the Queens or the U.S. Open. I somehow now get to say I’ve done both. I’m truly lucky that I get to live out two dreams side by side: being a coach of young women and still being able to compete at the highest level.”
Barnes was joined by Commodore alumnae Isabel Allen, Maria Bulanova, Jessica Earnest, Kristin Quah and Natalie Tackett (Goodman) at USBC Queens in Las Vegas. After three days of qualifying, Allen, Barnes and Earnest made the cut to advance to bracket play. Barnes earned the top seed heading into the final match and won the championship over Malaysia’s Li Jane Sin. It is Barnes’ second major and fifth overall PWBA title.
“It was really nice having so many Vandy people there throughout the week,” Barnes said. “We had several bowl, and Jess (Earnest) and Isabel (Allen) both made the bracket. Having them and Kris Quah in the stands during the show meant so much to me. When John (Williamson) told me he was coming out for the show, I was a bit speechless. It’s such a quick turnaround from being in the bracket to making the show, so him dropping everything to be there was meaningful. He’s seen me at my best and worst and watched my progression since I was 15. It was only fitting he was finally able to see a professional title in person.”
At the U22 event, which was held in Detroit, Syndey Bohn led the 82-woman field after two days of qualifying with Alyssa Ballard ranking fifth and Kaylee Hitt in the No. 24 spot. Based on her finish in the qualifying rounds, Bohn earned a spot on Junior Team USA for the second consecutive year. All three Dores were among the top 32 competitors advancing to match play. Ballard and Hitt finished inside the top 16.
