Thedford – A new national championship trophy sits in the home of its owner in Thedford. Josephine Morris on Friday, August 3 in Reno, Nevada received the honor of the 2018 United States Bowling Congress Senior Champion. The National Bowling Stadium recognized twelve champions from eleven states.
Nearly 400 bowlers from across the United States and Canada came to the 78-lane venue and competed in one of two divisions – Open or Women’s. The divisions had six age classifications (50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 and above). Josephine won the 70-74 age division.
The competitors bowled three games on Wednesday and Thursday to determine the six players in each division that would go into Friday’s medal round. The six qualifiers were determined by a total pinfall, including handicap. That number was erased for the final round. How the six ranked with their pinfall number though garnered them points going into Friday’s round – 50 pin bonus was awarded to the woman in first, 40 pin bonus to 2nd, and so on. “It was the bonus pins I received that helped me win my division,” she said.
Morris has been an avid bowler for over 50 years. She is on leagues at Hondo Lanes in Mullen. When her husband, John Paul ‘JP’ was healthy they bowled as a couple, making it to nationals with Troy and Linda Renfro from Mullen. The couple have four daughters, Jonita, Joleen, Jolinda, and Jamie. All but Jamie live with their families in Pilger. Jamie and her family calls Grand Island home. The daughters picked up the bowling bug from their mom, they even have enjoyed trips to nationals together.
The third generation of Morris bowlers are making their marks as well. Jonita’s oldest, daughter Allison won a bowling scholarship from Midland Lutheran college. Jamie’s son Logan bowls on his high school team, while her 11-year-old son Camron is also on a traveling team.
