A new ball, a new record for Branka
Branka adds to list of accolades after joining women’s pro tour, starting to coach in college
We haven’t seen Brandi Branka here in the Southland since shewas the top female bowler at Orland Bowl in the winter of 2014-15.
There have been some good reasons. Delightful reasons.
For one thing, she joined the Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour. Her career best has been a second-place finish in the 2017 Sonoma County Open in California.
For another, Branka became a college coach at Maryville University in Town and Country, Missouri. She moved from Momence to Belleville.
Those two achievements are big enough to warrant an update. But this one is the real topper.
On Nov. 18, Branka set a new women’s state record by bowling an 868 series at Bel-Air Bowl in Belleville. The previous record was an 865, set in 2014 by Stacy Keating at Bowlero in River Grove.
Branka was excited but humbled. And she thought immediately of two people — her father, Bob, and her late mother, Pam.
“I’ve been doing this since I was 3 years old,” Branka said. “My dad and my mom were the ones who got me into it. My dad used to bowl seven nights a week when he was younger.
“This is one of those sports that I feel I can be doing for the rest of my life. Just knowing my parents were the ones who led me to it is pretty special.”
Branka set the recordon the final night of bowling before leagues were shutdown due to a recent upsurge in COVID-19 cases.
It was certainly an interesting set, featuring 27 strikes. She started with a 290, then shot a 279. She finished with a 299.
What made it even more amazing is Branka walked into the bowling center that night with an undrilled, brand-new Hammer WebMD.
“I got it drilled literally 20 minutes before league started,” Branka said. “I threw a couple of practice shots with it, but I had no idea what itwas going to do.”
In the first frame, she had a light pocket hit and left a 7 pin. One adjustment and it was pretty much lights out.
Branka had a nine count in the first shot of the 10th frame in Game 2. In Game 3, she threw 11 strikes before leaving a 10 pin on her final ball.
“I was more nervous trying to shoot the 300 than I was to shoot the 800 series,” Branka said. “I was actually shaking on the approach. When I let go of the ball, I flat-handed it and just lost it at the bottom.
“I knew right away that I was going to leave a flat 10.”
Branka was denied her fourth career 300 game. It wasn’t long, however, before she received quite a consolation prize.
“Probably 15 minutes after I was done bowling, the guy behind the counter came up to me and congratulated me,” Branka said. “He told me, ‘I think you set a record for the state.’
“He had his manager find out, and not even two minutes later, he came back and said, ‘Yep, you set a record.’ I was like, ‘Oh, my God.’ Thatwas pretty cool.”
It has been quite a ride for Branka since we last talked.
Branka, who was an All-American bowler in college at McKendree, posted the highest women’s average in the Southland in 2014-15. She finished with a 226 average in the Wednesday night league at Orland Bowl.
In May of 2015, she joined the PWBA and went on the road.
“Obviously, the competition from college to the tour was completely different,” Branka said. “I loved every minute of it. It was enjoyable and I learned so much.”
The same summer, Branka was hired to start the bowling program at Mary ville. Five years later, they’ve earned a Top 25 ranking in the nation. They already have one tournament victory this season — which is nowon hold until mid-January.
“We started five years ago with three girls and we’ve grown ever since,” Branka said. “I really enjoy teaching these girls all about the game and helping shape them into young adults. These girls mean more tome than anything.”
Given her achievements, that’s saying a lot.