Fields, who volunteers at a local food pantry and regularly visits people who can’t get out themselves, has bowled for decades. She also worked as a certified American Junior Bowling Congress coach in the 1980s and continues to serve as a league secretary at Congress Lanes.
But Fields isn’t just a league bowler — she’s a tournament champion. The Jefferson Twp. bowler was one of five champions crowned at the Greater Dayton United States Bowling Congress. Fields won the 75 and older division while Jean Spreher (70-74), Paulette Hanselman (65-69), Carol Weaver (60-64) and Hilda Young (50-59) won their respective age divisions in the event that wrapped up on March 21 at Pla-Mor Lanes.
“I wasn’t satisfied with my scratch score but handicap helps,” Young said.
Young was thrilled by her first singles championship, but she won more than a city title. As one of the local city seniors’ champions, she was invited to bowl with the professional bowlers from the PBA Senior Tour in the Alz Stars Bowling for Alzheimer’s event held at Capri Lanes on April 16.
“I had a delightful time,” Young said. “I talked with Johnny Petraglia and told him that the last time I saw him was before either of us had gray hair.”
The honors for the veteran bowler haven’t stopped. Fields was recently recognized for participating in her 25th Ohio USBC Women’s Bowling Association State Championship. Competition is one of the things the grandmother of two enjoys most about bowling.
“Bowling is demanding because it’s an individual sport,” she said. “If you don’t do well, it’s all on you.”
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