COLUMBIA 300 STAFF MAKE ALL-AMERICAN TEAMS
August 26, 2011
Bowlers Journal International recently announced their 73rd All-American Teams. Among the honorees were Columbia 300 staff members Wendy Macpherson and Chris Barnes.
Macpherson, Henderson, Nev., was named captain of the Women’s Squad. The righthander is making her 12th All-American appearance, a women’s record for the award. With a lack of women’s events in the United States, Macpherson took her talents overseas. Her 2010-11 resume included three Japan PBA titles, including a ¥1 million bonus ($121,000 in U.S. dollars) for rolling a televised 300 game in the Japan Open. Macpherson also won the Australian Nationals and Masters in Sydney.
Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, is also making his 12th appearance on the All-American Team. In 2010-11, he topped the PBA points list and was second in earnings with $133,260. His crowning achievement was a win at the PBA World Championship, making him the sixth player to complete the PBA Triple Crown (World Championship, U.S. Open and Tournament of Champions).
Liz Johnson, who is signed to a four-brand contract with the Brands of Ebonite International, was also a First-Team honoree. The Niagara Falls, N.Y. native became the first woman to win the Petersen Classic in Chicago. She also added all events and team gold to her four-medal haul at the Pan American Bowling Confederation Women’s Championships. The appearance was Johnson’s eighth on BJI’s All-American Team, and her fourth straight selection to the First Team.
In addition, Ebonite International staff member Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., was named Captain on the First Team. While he only won one title last season, it was a big one, with a $250,000 purse. His Tournament of Champions win was one of the four majors he appeared in, making him the first bowler in BPA history to do so, and earning him Player of the Year rights.
Bowlers Journal International, the world’s oldest sports publication, dates its “official” All-American selections from 1938. At that time First, Second, and Third teams were chosen. Women weren’t selected until 1962. The selections were based on credentials accrued during the June 15, 2010 to June 14, 2011 season.
Barnes was joined on the First Team by Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., Bill O’ Neill, Southampton, Pa, and Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich. Macpherson and Johnson shared First Team honors with Brittni Hamilton, Webster, N.Y., Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J. and Missy Parkin, Lake Forest, Calif.
— Columbia 300 Bowling Balls & Bowling Equipment - Based in Hopkinsville, Ky., Columbia 300 is a long-time power brand servicing the bowling world with quality and professional products. Its parent company, Ebonite International, Inc., is a privately-owned company that services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets both domestically and internationally. The company’s other consumer product brands include Ebonite,Hammer,Track, Robby’s, and Powerhouse™; its commercial product brand is Ebonite Bowling Center Direct.
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