Published: April 14, 2008 11:40 pm            

In search of tougher competition, Valley female bowlers rolling in male leagues

TERRE HAUTE — hese girls have got serious game.

Years ago, Terre Haute women bowlers Crystal Sullivan, Vicki Rich and Mandy Wilkins — as talented as they are — didn’t have the option to bowl in a traditional “men’s” league. They could only bowl in an all-women’s league or a two-man, two-woman mixed league.

But mercifully, the times they are a changing. While United States Bowling Congress-sanctioned men’s leagues are not required to allow women to compete, a few leagues locally have changed their bylaws to allow women that competitive outlet.

Sullivan recently competed in the Smith Trucking “men’s” league at Imperial Lanes this season, the first year since the league changed its bylaws to allow women.

“They would tease me when the league started … saying, “are you here to bake cookies?’, Sullivan said. “I told them, ‘No, I’m here to bowl.”

And bowl she does. Sullivan, 30, averaged 226 in the league this year, saying, “I’ve averaged 200 or better for about 12 years now.”

She has rolled a pair of 300 games, giving her eight for her career. She also rolled her first 800 series, an 802 (258-244-300).

In the New Year’s Day Sweeper at the Terre Haute Bowling Center5, she averaged 232 and finished third, losing to eventual winner Scott Johnson in match play. She led women’s bowlers in February’s Super Bowl tournament at Imperial Lanes, averaging 231. She has bowled in the area “men’s” travel league for three years.

Last year, Sullivan rolled a 300 game, ironically in the “Men’s” City Tournament at Imperial Lanes. In 2004, she rolled a 300 game in the Women’s State Tournament — only the sixth overall — when it was here at Vigo Bowl.

Sullivan also enjoyed bowling in the PBA experience league at the Bowling Center. “That was tough … I hope they do that again this year.

“Most of the guys know me. Most of them don’t care one way or the other [if she bowls],” Sullivan stated. “A few of the older generation seem to have a problem, but it’s a sign of the times.

“I still bowl in mixed leagues for fun … to be with my family. But I prefer men’s leagues over women’s leagues. [Men] are there to bowl, not talking all the time about Tupperware,” Sullivan laughed. “I’m there for the competition.”

Sullivan is currently an English instructor at Indiana State University and Ivy Tech Community College. She plans to finish her master’s in English this year, and soon will be going for her Ph.D.

Rich, 30, is a teacher at Sarah Scott Middle School. She is also a talented bowler, a past member of the Indiana University women’s bowling team.

Rich rolled her first 800 series on July 11, 2005 in the Huff Amusement League at Vigo Bowl, earning her the prestigious United States Bowling Congress Bev Ortner Award for the highest 800 series by a woman — nationally — for the 2004-05 season.

Last year, Rich averaged 224 in the Springhill Wholesale “men’s” league at Vigo Bowl, with a high game of 299 and a high series of “about” 790.

“Competition, absolutely,” Rich quickly said of why she prefers to bowl in a men’s league. “When I was in Bloomington, it just wasn’t not done. But when I came to Terre Haute, I thought, wow!

“For the guys, [bowling] is a little bit more higher stakes. Most of the guys I’ve bowled with have accepted me. … didn’t question whether I should be there. I just like to bowl with people I like [guys or girls]. I really don’t think about it.”

Rich has a 300 game and four 800 series to her credit. She is not bowling in a men’s league this year, but is averaging 230 in the Monday Mixed League at Imperial Lanes.

Rich also pointed out that Lindsay Jarvis (formerly Chandler), a former Wichita State University bowler, Melissa Dressler and Anya Fisher as other local women having bowled in traditional “men’s” leagues.

Mandy Wilkins (formerly Bedwell) is another standout women’s bowler, a past three-time All-American (second team once, honorable mention twice) on the Indiana State University women’s bowling team.

“I won’t bowl in women’s leagues,” stated Wilkins. “They are there more to socialize, not so much to bowl. The pace is too slow … sometimes they don’t know where their bowlers are [when it’s their turn].”

Wilkins has bowled in a “men’s” scratch league every year, usually at Vigo Bowl, for the past eight years.

She bowled in the Tuesday doubles scratch league at Vigo Bowl this year, her team placing third overall while individually recording a 222 average.

By her count, Wilkins has had a pair of 800 series (high of 813), eight 300 games, three 299 games and a pair of 298 games.

Wilkins regularly bowls in the “Men’s” Shootouts at Vigo Bowl and Imperial Lanes, but noted that the Bowling Center’s Men’s Shootout is still, by rule, for men only. She has also bowled in the USBC National Tournament — formerly the ABC Tournament — four times.

All three compete with talented men’s bowlers in their personal lives — Sullivan (fiancee Jason Hiddle), Rich (husband Richard, who has bowled in PBA Regional events), Wilkins (husband Matt).

Sullivan and Hiddle have come very close twice the past two years of getting 300’s on the same team in the same game. Both times, Hiddle blinked (Crystal getting 300 games on those two occasions, Hiddle scoring 286 and 279).

“One of these days, we’ll do it if her partner ever shows up,” Hiddle predicted with a laugh.

        

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