DETROIT, Mich. | Alabama State University Freshman Payton Hartgrove competed in the inaugural USBC U22 Queens Tournament on May 24-27 at Thunderbowl Lanes.
Hartgrove finished the weekend with an exciting fourth place overall. Many of the young ladies that Payton finished ahead of or defeated were Jr Team USA members like Victoria Varano, whom Payton defeated twice in bracket play.
The event featured 75 of the top women bowlers from across the country in the field, many from nationally ranked collegiate programs. Bowlers competed in two seven-game qualifying rounds, and then the field was cut to the top 32 bowlers, who then went into match play in a double-elimination bracket.
“Going from bowling 14 games in two days to 14 games in one day was extremely tiring, both mentally and physically, especially given the level of competition where every shot matters, Hartgrove said. “Focusing on staying positive, reading the lane, and executing good shots is what I credit for making it as far as I did. I’m extremely pleased with my performance this weekend and know there is still work to do. But this one, I’m going to let soak in a little while. It feels great.”
“I and the whole ASU bowling team are extremely proud of Payton,” Head Women’s Bowling Coach Andrew Chatmon said. “I kept telling her mother, “Tell her to stay calm and make quality shots, execute, execute, execute. Payton is ALWAYS putting in the extra work, and this was a demonstration of that extra effort.”
Payton’s qualifying rounds put her in the top 10 heading to match play. After round one, Hartgrove was in fifth (1488 / +88) and she finished round two in ninth (1374 / -26). Hartgrove then led a charge on Saturday through match play, surviving seven rounds against impressive opponents, several where she had to strike out to overcome a deficit to win.
Her quest ended in round eight, falling to eventual tournament champion Dannielle Henderson of Jacksonville State. Her elimination left her just short of the televised program finals, which included the top three.
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