An Aberdeen bowler's success at the local level has earned her a spot to compete on the national stage.
Brianna Kuckelburg recently won the Under 20 Girls' division at the USBC Pepsi Tournament at the Village Bowl. The Aberdeen Central junior rolled a 279 in her final game, defeating a Sioux Falls opponent and now advances to the 2013 North Point Junior Olympics tournament in July. For her efforts, Kuckelburg is the American News Athlete of the Week.
This was the first state championship for the 16-year-old, who has entered the event four times. Her previous best finish was second. The feeling of winning was still new to her.
"It doesn't seem like it was real," Kuckelburg said.
The tournament took place March 23-24 and Kuckelburg was among 190 youth bowlers from across the state, vying for a chance to represent South Dakota at the national event in Detroit.
She bowled four games in the qualifying round on the opening day and four more the second day, before the one-match final, where she won 279-192. Kuckelburg said she was a bit nervous, but judging by her performance, one would have never known.
"I was a little nervous," Kuckelburg said. "I haven't been bowling many tournaments this year."
Her high game of the tourney came at the best time, during her final match. That score is not her best ever, though, as she rolled a 290 two years ago. She carries an average of 218.
This won't be the first trip to a national tournament for her, either. She has competed in Las Vegas and Indianapolis as well. Those tournaments were just like the one she'll be attending in Detroit, she said.
The national tournament draws bowlers from all over the country, plus Mexico and Canada as well. Kuckelburg expects there to be about five or six hundred bowlers in the Under 20 division.
Kuckelburg has bowled since she was three years old. While she bowls right-handed, she has tried using her other hand as well, but found she should stick with being a righty.
"I wasn't too terrible, but definitely shouldn't do it all the time," she said.
Kuckelburg bowls once per week, during youth bowling on Saturdays. The sport offers a chance to socialize, which she enjoys doing.
"I like going places and meeting new people," Kuckelburg said.
With so much experience and coming from a family well-known in Aberdeen bowling circles, is there anything difficult about the game for her?
"I have a harder time bowling on different oil patterns," Kuckelburg said.
Kuckelburg has her eye on collecting more hardware while she is still able to compete at the youth level. She can compete as a youth up until age 20, but will probably join an adult league at age 18.
"I want to win another state title as a youth bowler," she said.
Personal
Family: Parents, Cliff and Val Kuckelburg, brother Brandon Kakwitch (27), sister Tanisha James (22).
Favorite athlete: Professional golfer Rory McIlroy.
Other sports: Golf.
Advice to new bowlers:"Concentrate on getting spares."
Favorite athletic memory:"Making all-conference in golf my freshman year."