SYRACUSE -- It's hard to say what's more impressive, the fact that Mini Tvaska was competing in her 65th straight USBC Women's Championship, or that she was doing so at the age of 93. The St. Petersburg, Florida native was honored at the OnCenter's temporary bowling lanes on Wednesday afternoon before competing in both the team event and the doubles and singles events later in the day.
Tvaska has competed in more Women's Championships that any other bowler in history, beginning her Championship career back in 1947. Since then she's competed in 48 different cities and 28 different states.
"When I was about 18 or 19 we went bowling in stocking feet in a little old dumpy bowling lane," recalls Tvaska, "and that was in 1936 or (1937) something like that, and then I just kept doin' it. I got shoes and bought my own ball, and I loved it since, haven't missed a year since I started."
Earlier coverage today:
A 93-year-old woman is proving age is just a number as she takes on the U.S. Bowling Congress Women's Championships.
Mini Tvaska, of St. Petersburg, Florida, knows a thing or two about bowling. She's making her 65th consecutive appearance in the tournament this year.
She's participating in the event at the Oncenter Convention Center in downtown Syracuse today, and she's being honored for her accomplishments.
Tvaska has competed in more Women's Championships than any other bowler and secured the record at the 2008 tournament in Detroit when she competed for the 62nd time. Only four competitors in the 92 year history of the event can say they've participated for 60 years.
Tvaska started her career at the event in Grand Rapids, Michigan back in 1947. She has followed the tournament to 48 different cities and 28 states.
