NJ woman oldest competitor at USBC Women's Championships [Archive]

tyketto

04-20-2009, 05:25 PM

Caught this today in the Las Vegas Review Journal. I'm trying to see if there's anything more in Reno's paper, but this is a nice feel-good story. Enjoy.

http://www.lvrj.com/news/43266717.html

Centenarian bowler oldest ever at event

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

RENO -- A 100-year-old woman from New Jersey has become the oldest competitor in the history of the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships.

Emma Hendrickson of Morris Plains, N.J., was presented Saturday night with a plaque and a medallion to commemorate her 50th consecutive appearance in the tournament. She also received a pendant with her birthstone in recognition of her status as the tournament's oldest participant.

The great-great-grandmother rolled a 115, 97 and 106 for a 318 series during team competition at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno.

Hendrickson, who celebrated her birthday less than a month ago, said her teammates sometimes help her line up because her eyesight has diminished over the years.

She previously shared the record with Ethel Brunnick of Santa Monica, Calif., who competed in 1987 at 99.

Hendrickson's bowling activity is supported by her 27 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

"I think it's what keeps her going," granddaughter Karen Mariani, 45, told the Reno Gazette-Journal. "It's something she did with her husband, with our mother."

BL.

Lonewolf300800

04-21-2009, 12:08 AM

here's the release at bowl.com

100-year-old bowler makes history and ESPN headlines

4/20/2009

By Wendy Clem and Aaron Smith
USBC Communications

Emma Hendrickson of Morris Plains, NJ waves to the crowd assembled for her USBC limo arrival at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno.

Emma (center) poses with her NJ team, The Five Bowling Bags, (l-r): Bea Reinacher, Ruth Rahn, Ruth Peterson and Joan Shiel.

Emma waxes poetic on being 100 with KOLO-TV Channel 8 reporter Daniel Chanin, the Reno ABC affiliate station.

Emma (r) receives a standing ovation from her peers in the USBC Squad Room before bowling at the National Bowling Stadium.

Emma plants a bus on Tournament Manager Eric Pierson following his cheek kiss.

USBC Women's Championships homepage

ESPN NEWS: Centenarian Bowler Sets Record

RENO, Nev. - With friends, family and a squad of grateful and honored women cheering her on, Emma Hendrickson of Morris Plains, N.J., celebrated a historic moment at the 2009 USBC Women's Championships on Saturday as she became the oldest participant in tournament history at the age of 100.

The record-breaking achievement wasn't the only business on Hendrickson's agenda, however.

Her trip to this year's event also marked her 50th consecutive appearance on the tournament lanes, and with her teammates surrounding Center Aisle, Hendrickson was presented with a plaque, a bouquet of flowers and a medallion to commemorate her 50 years of participation. She also received a pendant with her birth stone in recognition of her becoming the tournament's oldest participant. Hendrickson previously shared the record with Ethel Brunnick of Santa Monica, Calif., who competed in the 1987 event in Hartford, Conn., at 99 years old.

"I'm excited to be here," said Hendrickson, who competed in her first USBC Women's Championships in Denver in 1960. "I'm going to do the best I can when I'm bowling."

On her way to the record achievement, Hendrickson has left a lasting impression on the bowling world. She helped to establish the Morris County Young American Bowling Alliance and served the local youth bowlers for more than 30 years. The Morris County USBC Women's Bowling Association also has named a youth scholarship after her. Every year, the Emma P. Hendrickson Scholarship Award is presented to a female youth bowler, who not only excels on the lanes, but in the classroom as well.

Hendrickson's services have resulted in three hall of fame inductions: Morris County Women's Bowling Association (1982), New Jersey State Women's Bowling Association (1995) and Morris County Bowling Association (2004). She was just the second woman to be elected to the MCBA Hall of Fame.

Hendrickson is just as dedicated on the lanes, too. Although her eyesight has diminished over the years, she still is able to compete with help from her teammates, who help her line up on her spare attempts.

"I can see the ten pins standing clearly, but it's difficult to see what pins are standing for spares." Hendrickson said. "My teammates help me out there."

Hendrickson and her teammates, Ruth Peterson, Ruth Rahn, Bea Reinacher and Joan Shiel call themselves the 5 Bowling Bags. Bowling with them, and other New Jersey teams, helps to keep Hendrickson on the go.

"I love bowling because I get to be with people," Hendrickson said. "And because I'm not at home sitting on a rocking chair."

Several of Hendrickson's granddaughters also were in attendance at the National Bowling Stadium this weekend. Although her husband and two children have passed away, she is still supported in her bowling endeavors by eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Hendrickson has no intentions of stopping at 50 Women's Championships. She already is signed up for the 2010 event in El Paso, Texas, which will mark the first time the tournament lanes will be constructed in a convention center, similar to the set-up used for the USBC Open Championships.

"Once a bowler, always a bowler," Hendrickson said. "I have always believed in that saying."

Hendrickson celebrated her milestone appearance with a 318 series in team, 262 in doubles and 107 in singles for a 687 all-events total. Her singles began and concluded with the 107 game before she decided to sit the rest of the evening out and watch her New Jersey colleagues carry the ball.

Presenting sponsors for the 2009 USBC Women's Championships are Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus Reno. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Sands Regency Casino Hotel, Harrah's Hotel and Casino, Club Cal Neva, and Storm Products Inc.