BubbaRay
10-07-2007, 06:46 PM
RENO, Nev. - With a victory secure in the quarterfinals at the 2007 U.S. Women's Open, a United States Bowling Congress event, Shannon O'Keefe of Rochester, N.Y., had the unique opportunity to just relax and enjoy the moment.
After stringing 11 consecutive strikes to start her match against Stefanie Nation of Orlando, Fla., O'Keefe stepped up with a chance to accomplish something only three women have done on television - bowl a perfect game.
Needing just one more strike for perfection, O'Keefe made a good shot but left a weak 10 pin on her final ball, claiming a 299-159 victory over Nation and locking up the final spot in the live ESPN-televised semifinals at 1 p.m. Eastern next Sunday at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev.
"I just wanted to have fun with it, throw good shots and whatever was going to happen was going to happen," said O'Keefe, a three-time member of Team USA who was the top seed after 32 games of qualifying. "I was actually more relaxed throwing those shots in the 10th frame than I was the rest of the match."
In all, O'Keefe strung 18 consecutive strikes over her two matches. In the opening match against Olivia Sandham of Wichita, Kan., O'Keefe trailed by 29 pins after five frames but struck on her last seven shots to win 247-209.
"I was so nervous I couldn't even get the ball off my hand the first couple shots," said O'Keefe, who opened with four spares in the first five frames against Sandham. "My heart was beating out of my chest, and I was almost hyperventilating. I had to calm myself way down because I was starting to think too far ahead. I just had to stay in the moment and focus on one shot at a time."
Nation, who advanced by defeating Wendy Macpherson of Henderson, Nev., 184-181, said she never felt comfortable in her match against O'Keefe.
"It was a combination of me not throwing it so great and bad ball reaction," said Nation, who trailed O'Keefe by 79 pins after just five frames. "I tried to get more on top of the ball, but it still didn't give me the reaction I was looking for. Shannon bowled great, though, and it's hard to beat a strike machine when you aren't striking."
O'Keefe earned the final spot in the semifinals and is joined by Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of North Richland Hills, Texas; Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y.; and Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas. The four will battle for the U.S. Women's Open title on Oct. 14.
"I have to stay focused and just make sure I'm prepared coming back for the semifinals," O'Keefe said. "It's all about winning, it's not about having a good time anymore."
The quarterfinal rounds and qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open took place Aug. 13-18 at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno.
After stringing 11 consecutive strikes to start her match against Stefanie Nation of Orlando, Fla., O'Keefe stepped up with a chance to accomplish something only three women have done on television - bowl a perfect game.
Needing just one more strike for perfection, O'Keefe made a good shot but left a weak 10 pin on her final ball, claiming a 299-159 victory over Nation and locking up the final spot in the live ESPN-televised semifinals at 1 p.m. Eastern next Sunday at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev.
"I just wanted to have fun with it, throw good shots and whatever was going to happen was going to happen," said O'Keefe, a three-time member of Team USA who was the top seed after 32 games of qualifying. "I was actually more relaxed throwing those shots in the 10th frame than I was the rest of the match."
In all, O'Keefe strung 18 consecutive strikes over her two matches. In the opening match against Olivia Sandham of Wichita, Kan., O'Keefe trailed by 29 pins after five frames but struck on her last seven shots to win 247-209.
"I was so nervous I couldn't even get the ball off my hand the first couple shots," said O'Keefe, who opened with four spares in the first five frames against Sandham. "My heart was beating out of my chest, and I was almost hyperventilating. I had to calm myself way down because I was starting to think too far ahead. I just had to stay in the moment and focus on one shot at a time."
Nation, who advanced by defeating Wendy Macpherson of Henderson, Nev., 184-181, said she never felt comfortable in her match against O'Keefe.
"It was a combination of me not throwing it so great and bad ball reaction," said Nation, who trailed O'Keefe by 79 pins after just five frames. "I tried to get more on top of the ball, but it still didn't give me the reaction I was looking for. Shannon bowled great, though, and it's hard to beat a strike machine when you aren't striking."
O'Keefe earned the final spot in the semifinals and is joined by Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of North Richland Hills, Texas; Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y.; and Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas. The four will battle for the U.S. Women's Open title on Oct. 14.
"I have to stay focused and just make sure I'm prepared coming back for the semifinals," O'Keefe said. "It's all about winning, it's not about having a good time anymore."
The quarterfinal rounds and qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open took place Aug. 13-18 at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno.