This weekend, Berkeley BLBC member, Nikki Schrager, won the qualification round (“Playdowns”) to represent the Pacific-Inter Mountain Division (PIMD) at the 2013 US National Championships. This is the second year in a row that Berkeley will provide a PIMD representative at the Nationals, following the success of Jonathan Burnoski last year who went on to win the Men’s Singles title, at age 19 the youngest-ever bowler to do so. Jonathan’s father, Tom, also played in the 2012 nationals, as part of the Men’s Pairs team. To qualify, Nikki had to overcome Angie Peet of Sunnyvale in a Sunday tie-breaker, each having won an equal number of games the day before. Sweet revenge, since Angie had actually defeated Nikki in the Saturday round of play.

Nikki will face bowlers from each of the other Bowls USA divisions at the finals in Santa Anita over the period October 16-20. The format will be a round-robin of seven games over four days, a tough and grueling set-up, especially if there should be a late Southern California heat wave.

We all wish Nikki every success!