SYRACUSE -- When you meet 102-year-old bowler Emma Hendrickson for the first time, you can't help but notice just how witty she is.
The New Jersey native is a straight-shooter, has an answer for anything you ask her and, in the words of her teammates (who together call themselves "The Five Bowling Bags"), Emma is a hot ticket. Emma is the oldest bowler to ever compete at the Women's Championships --and will tell anyone, bowling is the best sport in the world. This is her 52nd consecutive year on the tour -- and doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
"It's a challenge within yourself," she said. "If you want to do it, you'll do it and if you don't like it....then get out."
Saturday night, Emma was honored before her team hit the lanes at the Oncenter in downtown Syracuse. She was presented with some memorable keepsakes from the Salt City, including a personalized SU basketball jersey with her name stitched on the back and a stuffed Otto the Orange.
But outside of all the awards and media attention, Emma is an inspiration for so many people, bouncing back from major surgery just months ago to make it to Syracuse. Folks waited in line early in the evening just to meet her.
"When we hear that there's someone here who's 102 and still bowling -- you want to see that person, you want to hug her...you want to congratulate her," said Nancy Barnes, a bowler from Minnesota.
Emma said she's already looking ahead to next year's nationals, which will be held in Reno, Nevada.
