Florida’s top women bowlers roll for state titles in Fort Myers

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — The lanes at Lightning Strikes were busy Sunday as the Florida State USBC Women’s Championship wrapped up its final weekend in Fort Myers.

The tournament brought bowlers from across Florida for three weekends of singles, doubles, team and all-events competition.

“We have 556 ladies actually competing from Pensacola all the way down to the Keys,” Tournament Director Debbie Whitten said.

The field included bowlers chasing both scratch and handicap titles, with prize money and plaques going to the winners.

The scores showed how competitive the tournament got.

“We have had some pretty heavy hitters this week,” Whitten said. “We've had one, 300, one, 299, several 279s, a 280.”

Krissy Stewart was one of the Southwest Florida bowlers in the field. Stewart has spent decades in the sport and has competed at a high level.

“I'm in the local Hall of Fame. I'm in the State Hall of Fame, and I bowled on tour for five years, so I've been very blessed in the bowling industry,” Stewart said.

Stewart said tournaments like this are about more than the money.

“Anybody wants to win the state title, whether it's a singles title, a doubles title, all events, or team event,” Stewart said. “It’s a big camaraderie weekend also, for everyone.”

For Stewart, the key is staying locked in from one roll to the next.

“You've got to make one shot at a time and do you and not worry about everyone else,” Stewart said.

The tournament wrapped up Sunday in Fort Myers.