100-year-old Woman Become The Oldest Competitor Bowling Congress Women's Championships

Emma Hendrickson of New Jersey has become the oldest competitor in the history of the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships. She is now 100-year-old.

It is her 50th consecutive appearance in the tournament. The organizing committee gave her a pendant with her birthstone in recognition of her status as the tournament's oldest participant & 50th consecutive appearance too.


She celebrated her birthday less than a month ago. She said her teammates sometimes help her to line up because her eyesight has diminished over the years. She rolled a 115, 97 and 106 for a 318 series during team competition at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno this year.


Hendrickson broke the record of Ethel Brunnick of Santa Monica, California, who competed in 1987 at 99.


She has 27 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Her husband and two children have passed away. She says her family supports her very much & also gives courage to compete in 2010 event in El Paso.


"I think it's what keeps her going," granddaughter Karen Mariani, 45, told the Reno Gazette-Journal. "It's something she did with her husband, with our mother."