BARNES EARNS TOP SEED AT USBC QUEENS

CANTON, Mich. - Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, earned the top seed Tuesday for the live televised finals of the 2008 United States Bowling Congress Queens.

Barnes, who won the 1998 Queens, went undefeated in match play, winning six consecutive three-game matches against a field of the best women bowlers in the world at Super Bowl Lanes. The championship round will be televised live on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. Eastern from Skore Lanes in Taylor, Mich., on Wednesday.

Joining Barnes in the stepladder finals are second seed Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., third seed Amy Stolz of Castle Rock, Colo., fourth seed Joy Esterson of Annapolis, Md., and fifth seed Carol Gianotti of Australia.

"When I won the national amateur title last year it had been 10 year since I'd won that event, and if I win tomorrow it will be 10 years between Queens titles," said Barnes, 40, an 11-time Team USA member and three-time U.S. Amateur champion. "I've had to work for it more now that I'm older and it would be very rewarding after 10 years to win again."

Barnes was clutch when she needed it most, firing her best three-game set of the tournament by nearly 70 pins as she defeated Johnson, 736-680, to earn the top seed.

"I knew I would have to bowl my absolute best and would have to bowl my highest set of the tournament to beat Liz," said Barnes, whose husband is PBA Player of the Year Chris Barnes. "I felt like I thought much clearer and physically, that was the best I've bowled all week."

The top four seeds were the final four players remaining in the winners bracket, while Gianotti made her way through the contenders bracket. Gianotti, the 1989 Queens champion, defeated defending champion Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., 698-631 to earn the final spot in the finals.

The USBC Queens featured a field of 337 of the top female bowlers in the world competing for a total prize fund of $200,000 with $30,000 going to the winner.