Lori Reasoner strikes her way to tiara
It had been close to two decades since the sparkly tiara was hers, but Lori Reasoner came to play at the Greater Dayton USBC Angie Kreitzer Memorial Queens Tournament.
“The old Lori came out this weekend — the mental piece, the drive and the passion,” Reasoner said. “I didn’t think I had that passion or confidence in me.”
The 51-year-old Centerville resident emerged on top from a field that included many bowlers half her age. The win last Sunday at Capri Lanes put Reasoner in elite company as a repeat winner of the prestigious tournament, last claiming the title in 2002.
“Back in my 30s, I felt like I was in my prime, I was at the top of my game,” she said. “Every tournament you win is wonderful but you have to work so much harder to compete as you get older.”
The competition was tough and Reasoner had to fight to even advance to match play after throwing a 137 in her third game of qualifying.
“I got so deep into my head, something you don’t want to do,” she said.
She made a ball change and regrouped and followed up the 137 with a 219 and a pair of 200s to move up from 29th to 13th. The top 16 advanced to match play Sunday.
Once she made the cut, Reasoner started to prepare, selecting the right balls for the lane condition. She was ready for whatever and whoever she would face.
“I had the utmost confidence,” Reasoner said. “Which is good because I think I was behind in every match.”
Reasoner topped fourthseeded Jessica Wolfe in the first round and went on to beat Haley Cummings, Micki Sumner and Stephanie Burkhardt to remain as the last bowler standing in the winner’s bracket. It was time for a break as Reasoner had to wait to see who would emerge from the consolation bracket to challenge her for the title.
“I threw some food in my belly and tried to stay loose,” she said. “It also gave me time to look at my equipment again.”
Former University of Pikeville bowler Angel West rolled through the consolation bracket to take on Reasoner. The match was tight from the beginning but West needed to double in the 10th for the win and could not. Reasoner squeaked out the win 204-195.
“You had to execute every shot, which was not easy,” Reasoner said.
Much to her surprise, Reasoner reclaimed the tiara.
“I didn’t think I had it in me,” she said. “Something just clicked this weekend, I don’t know where it came from.”
The tournament is especially meaningful for Reasoner because she was friends with the event’s namesake. “Angie and I grew up together and I know what she brought to the game,” Reasoner said. “This means more to me because it helps keep her memory alive.”