Liz Johnson Claims U.S. Women's Title

With the crowd roaring around her, television cameras in her face and
bright lights shining down on her, Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y.,
managed to block it all out. As far as she was concerned, she was the only
person inside the National Bowling Stadium last Sunday.
Johnson's intense focus paid off as she defeated Team USA's Shannon
O'Keefe of Rochester, N.Y., 248-215 to win the 2007 U.S. Women's Open, a
United States Bowling Congress event.
"I just felt like I was in a really good place, like nobody was even
around me out there," said Johnson, who also won the U.S. Women's Open in
1996. "Once I stepped out on the lanes, I felt aggressive and focused. I
really haven't felt that good in a very long time and I think it showed on
the lanes today."
Johnson, who won 11 titles on the now dissolved Professional Women's
Bowling Association Tour, grabbed the momentum early in the championship
match against O'Keefe, starting with five consecutive strikes before
leaving a solid 7 pin. O'Keefe, meanwhile, struggled to start the match
with just one strike in four frames.
The 2007 U.S. Women's Open, a USBC event, is sponsored by Banquet, the
Eldorado Hotel/Casino in Reno, Nev., the National Bowling Stadium and
Kegel, the official lane maintenance provider for USBC.
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body,
ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides
programs and services to more than 2.6 million adult and youth members and
enhances the bowling experience.