By Aaron Smith
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Janine Primrose of Gardnerville, Nev., came back from an early deficit to defeat Dana Miller-Mackie of Albuquerque, N.M., in the championship match of the 2009 USBC Senior Queens at the National Bowling Stadium on Wednesday.
Primrose, who was the only undefeated bowler leading up to the championship match, bowled games of 164, 233 and 231 on her way to a 628-598 victory in the three-game, double-elimination match play finals. She received $3,000 and a tiara for the win, while Miller-Mackie took home $1,700.
Despite finding herself down 28 pins against Miller-Mackie after the first game, Primrose, who competed in her first USBC Senior Queens, fought her way back in the second game to square the series up at 397 after two games.
"I think it was nerves going in," Primrose said. "I dug myself a hole in every match of this tournament, but fortunately made my way out of each one. After evening up the series, I felt I had the momentum going into the final game, and it came at the right time."
That momentum helped Primrose strike on her first five shots of the third game, while Miller-Mackie was unable to double early in the game.
"The quick start to the final game put the pressure on my opponent early," Primrose said. "Dana is such an awesome bowler that it actually makes me nervous, so I knew I couldn't let down."
Miller-Mackie, who was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 2000, has had success previously in the USBC Queens, but never was able to win the event, finishing second in 1983 and 1992.
"It's felt like I've finished second here about six times now, but the entire week was great," said Miller-Mackie, who also made her Senior Queens debut. "Janine bowled great all week, and all of the senior ladies were just wonderful."
In accepting her tiara, trophy and prize check, Primrose dedicated her performance to her mother, who had recently passed away.
"This was for her," Primrose said. "I expected her to be with me this week, but I know she was looking down on me today."