Iowa bowler celebrates 50 years at USBC Women's Championships
May 02, 2018
By Tony Contini and Aaron Smith
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Ann Keerbs of Spirit Lake, Iowa, has experienced the joy and excitement of winning a title at the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships, capturing a singles title at the 1969 event in San Diego.
The 78-year-old right-hander now can add another experience to her collection after celebrating her 50th tournament appearance this week at the National Bowling Stadium.
Keerbs was recognized Saturday for her participation milestone and received a plaque, chevron and necklace to commemorate the achievement.
Her tournament career began at the 1966 event in New Orleans, and in her third appearance, Keerbs was able to claim the Division 1 Singles title with a 649 series.
Keerbs has been active in sports her entire life. She played basketball in high school, taught women's physical education for eight years and coached softball, basketball and track. She retired from teaching to raise her son and daughter, who also bowl.
Keerbs has been driven by the desire to reach 50 years at the USBC Women's Championships.
"I had to get here," said Keerbs, who has traveled to 34 cities and 23 states throughout her tournament career. "Where I live, there's a ton of snow and ice, and this girl was very careful where she walked. I didn't want to break something and not get to roll my 50th."
Keerbs has had fun throughout her trip to Reno this week. When all of her friends showed up to celebrate her milestone, she teared up, especially noticing a friend from Missouri who came for a surprise visit.
"I was the one who got her into tournaments," Keerbs said. "She just hit her 40th year and told me I had to stick around for her 50th. I said, 'Are you kidding me? I'll be 88!' But as long as my body holds up, I'm going to bowl."
She stressed that bowlers of all skills levels can compete, but it's also important to have fun along the way.
"As you get older, your talent level goes down," Keerbs said. "But, we just go and do the best we can."
Her favorite part of the sport is getting the chance to spend time with friends and meet new people while together on the lanes.
"Bowlers are a friendly lot," Keerbs said. "We are all glad to be here. We are all bowlers. Once you go to your first national event, it gets in your blood."
In her 50th appearance, Keerbs rolled consistent sets of 485 in singles, 471 in doubles and 470 in team for a 1,426 all-events total.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women's Championships page.
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Ann Keerbs of Spirit Lake, Iowa, has experienced the joy and excitement of winning a title at the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships, capturing a singles title at the 1969 event in San Diego.
The 78-year-old right-hander now can add another experience to her collection after celebrating her 50th tournament appearance this week at the National Bowling Stadium.
Keerbs was recognized Saturday for her participation milestone and received a plaque, chevron and necklace to commemorate the achievement.
Her tournament career began at the 1966 event in New Orleans, and in her third appearance, Keerbs was able to claim the Division 1 Singles title with a 649 series.
Keerbs has been active in sports her entire life. She played basketball in high school, taught women's physical education for eight years and coached softball, basketball and track. She retired from teaching to raise her son and daughter, who also bowl.
Keerbs has been driven by the desire to reach 50 years at the USBC Women's Championships.
"I had to get here," said Keerbs, who has traveled to 34 cities and 23 states throughout her tournament career. "Where I live, there's a ton of snow and ice, and this girl was very careful where she walked. I didn't want to break something and not get to roll my 50th."
Keerbs has had fun throughout her trip to Reno this week. When all of her friends showed up to celebrate her milestone, she teared up, especially noticing a friend from Missouri who came for a surprise visit.
"I was the one who got her into tournaments," Keerbs said. "She just hit her 40th year and told me I had to stick around for her 50th. I said, 'Are you kidding me? I'll be 88!' But as long as my body holds up, I'm going to bowl."
She stressed that bowlers of all skills levels can compete, but it's also important to have fun along the way.
"As you get older, your talent level goes down," Keerbs said. "But, we just go and do the best we can."
Her favorite part of the sport is getting the chance to spend time with friends and meet new people while together on the lanes.
"Bowlers are a friendly lot," Keerbs said. "We are all glad to be here. We are all bowlers. Once you go to your first national event, it gets in your blood."
In her 50th appearance, Keerbs rolled consistent sets of 485 in singles, 471 in doubles and 470 in team for a 1,426 all-events total.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women's Championships page.