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  • USBC NEWS
    LYNDA BARNES TO RETIRE FROM TEAM USA PROGRAM

    By Lucas Wiseman

    USBC Communications

    Lynda Barnes, the most tenured and one of the most successful bowlers in the history of the Team USA program, will retire from Team USA at the end of the year.

    Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, has been a member of Team USA a record 12 times and will step aside to spend more time with her family.

    "I think it is time to focus more on my life and on my children," said Barnes, 42, who is married to professional bowling star Chris Barnes and has twin 7-year-old boys, Ryan and Troy. "When Troy was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes last year, it really changed the way I started to look at things.

    "We are now very involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and that has given me something to focus my attention on. Plus, I don't want to miss anymore of watching the kids play baseball, bowling or basketball."

    Barnes first joined Team USA in 1989 and left the program twice (1992 and 1998) to turn pro but has been on the team since 2005. After she returned from her short professional bowling stints, Barnes returned to win the U.S. Amateur title each time, claiming the title in 1995 and 2005 and then again in 2007.

    In international competition, Barnes has won dozens of medals, including winning the QubicaAMF World Cup in 2005 and a gold medal in team event at the 1991 Pan American Games.

    Though she's retiring from Team USA action, Barnes will not give up the sport entirely. She plans to continue bowling leagues and local tournaments, while also gearing up for a couple of big events each year.

    Barnes said she plans to compete in the United States Bowling Congress Queens, U.S. Women's Open and USBC Women's Championships on an annual basis and perhaps other events as well.

    "There's a big difference between bowling for your country and bowling for yourself," said Barnes, who won the Queens in 1998 and 2008. "When I'm bowling for Team USA, that's a year-long commitment in terms of training. When I'm bowling for myself, I can put as much or as little into it as my time allows."

    Barnes will remain a Team USA member through the end of 2009. She will also continue to stay active in the sport as a member of the USBC Board of Directors.