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Mother edges daughter for Springfield bowling title

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1:45 AM Sunday, February 12, 2012

Susan Hartley has competed in countless tournaments, collecting numerous titles and facing intense competitors with unwavering determination.

But this wasn’t just any competitor.

This time, the competition was her daughter, Andrea Behr. And a berth in the title match of the Springfield Queens Tournament was on the line.

It was the first time the mother and daughter had crossed paths in tournament match play, although both had won the Queens title.

“I was very emotional,” Hartley said. “I probably cried until the third or fourth frame. The drive to win comes down quite a few notches when you are competing against your child.”

While Hartley struggled, Behr took it in stride.

“I figured at least one of us was going on in the tournament,” she said. “And I thought, ‘If I have to lose, what a great person to lose to.’ ”

Behr did lose, as Hartley edged out her daughter by 13 pins to advance to the final match against Jenna Poppe at Shamrock Lanes on Jan. 29. Ten frames later, the match was knotted at 215. It took three roll-offs for Hartley to capture the title, her second Springfield Queens crown in the past three tries.

“People said, ‘The old woman still has it,’ ” said Hartley, 54, smiling. “It was fun to hear that.”

Behr didn’t doubt her mother’s drive or ability for a minute.

“I saw where my mom said she was on the ‘downside’ as far as her bowling career and I don’t believe that at all,” Behr said. “She doesn’t give herself enough credit. She is a tough competitor who has the fight and focus to go through three roll-offs.

“I hope to accomplish half of what she’s done in her career.”

Hartley’s bowling accomplishments include local and state hall-of-fame inductions — three in all.

The Englewood bowler has earned a position on the Dayton Women’s Bowling Association and Greater Dayton USBC All-Star teams 12 times, starting with the 1990-91 season.

She has earned 10 local tournament titles and has rolled 17 300 games.

Behr, 29, knows she has some big bowling shoes to fill, but the Trotwood bowler has started building her own resume with her first perfect game in 2010 and the Springfield Queens title last year.

“Andrea is an incredible bowler; I love watching her compete,” Hartley said. “Give her another year and she will be a strong contender for any title.”

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