“It’s a very competitive field, you’ve really got to bring your A game, especially when there are numerous PWBA bowlers in the field,” DeWitt said. “But something clicked for me at the right time and I was keeping up with these women. I was in disbelief.”
DeWitt, 24, made it through double-elimination match play with a perfect record, snagging the No. 1 seed for the finals. She then played spectator for three matches waiting for her opponent to be determined.
With DeWitt undefeated in match play, defending champion Higgins would have to beat her twice for the championship. She was up to the challenge, topping DeWitt 279-204 and 259-168. The 168 was DeWitt’s lowest score of the weekend.
“That break killed my mojo,” DeWitt said. “And I think I just ran out of gas at that point.
“And Jen is an incredible bowler so that didn’t help.”
While DeWitt was disappointed with her finish, there was much to be pleased with.
“I don’t think I have ever felt as good as I did this weekend throwing the ball,” she said. “I came up just a little short in the finals.”
DeWitt is quick to share the credit with her family, who cheered her on. Her sister Teresa Suber, who advanced to Sunday’s match play, helped DeWitt remain calm and focused.
“She was my rock, especially during the finals,” DeWitt said. “She’d come up and squeeze me and tell me ‘do what you need to do.’ ”
DeWitt already has her sights set on next year.
“I usually go in hoping to do better than last year,” she said. “Now, I guess, I’ve got to win it all.”
Tourney notes: Of the 88 competitors in this year's state Queens Tournament, 27 were from the Greater Dayton USBC. Of those, 16 advanced to the semifinals and seven advanced to match play.
Natalie Miskiel (Greater Toledo), Melissa Van Dyke (Cleveland) and Jodi Woessner (Greater Toledo), rounded out the top five.
Dayton resident Susan Hartley competed in her 31st state Queens event. She’s the only woman in the state who has bowled every year since the event’s inception in 1986.
About the Author