Texas bowler takes Sapphire All-Events lead at 2018 USBC Women's Championships

By Ryne Navarro and Aaron Smith
USBC Communications

RENO, Nev.
- Kimberly St. Romain of Baytown, Texas, wanted to leave her mark at the 2018 United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships, and she did just that as she took the top spot in Sapphire All-Events.

St. Romain rolled sets of 572 in singles, 519 in doubles and 500 in team at the National Bowling Stadium for a 1,591 all-events total. She surpassed Canada's Carol Quesnel, who previously held the lead with 1,585.

St. Romain's singles score, which featured games of 207, 177 and 188, also placed her in third in Sapphire Singles. Jennifer Williamson of Stafford, Virginia, leads with 582.

For St. Romain, a trip to the USBC Women's Championships usually means the opportunity to get away for a few days with her family and friends, but she also comes in focused and ready to perform.

"I come into the tournament with only one goal," said St. Romain, who made her third Women's Championships appearance. "That's to close frames and bowl a good game."

She admitted that she did not look at the leaderboard as she approached the lead in two events, but instead was hoping to add another 200 game to her collection.

Although an open in the 10th frame cost her a chance at the Sapphire Singles lead, her overall performance leading up to it was enough to put her at the top of the standings in all-events.

"I kind of got upset during my last frame because I wanted to close out with another 200 game," St. Romain said. "But I didn't know I was close to the top of the leaderboard."

With less than two weeks remaining at the 2018 Women's Championships, St. Romain is eager to see if her score holds up and continue her career at the event.

Sapphire Singles and All-Events features bowlers with entering averages of 145-159.

Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women's Championships page.