Name:
Joanne Harris
Name:
Joanne Harris
Birthday: 08/12/65
E-mail Address: joannebwlr@aol.com
How long have you been bowling? 16 years
High Game: 300 High Series: 803
300's: 1 800's: 1
Are you a native Texan? No
If not, where were you born and how did you end up in Texas? I was born in Milton, FL. My father was a pilot in the Navy and we moved very frequently, including a couple tours in Texas. I graduated from the University of Texas in 1987 and then returned to Texas in 1996 to take a job with Compaq after living in the Washington, DC area for about 8 years.
Left Handed or Right Handed: Right
What equipment do you throw? I throw mostly Storm equipment because I'm most comfortable with it and know a lot of the staffers.
What is your favorite all-time bowling ball? The original Black Thunderstorm
What female bowler(s) do you admire the most and why? In general, I highly admire the PWBA players who maintain a classy, professional image for the sport. More specifically, I admire Carolyn Dorin-Ballard for her dedication, work ethic and intense will to win.
What female bowler(s) from Texas do you admire the most and why? I admire my fellow Texas transplant, doubles partner and good friend, Monica Chieco -- she is deadly consistent, keeps a very cool and patient demeanor and fears nobody! As for "real" Texans, Regina Loveall, Donna Conners and Shana Ray are not only fierce competitors but some of the nicest people you'd ever want to know. Also, I'll always hold Luci Bonneau in high esteem as she truly embodied everything you'd admire in a person as well as a great bowler -- poise, character, professionalism, talent and more.
Describe your most memorable bowling experience(s): When I won a gold medal the singles event at the 1995 US Olympic Festival. It was a really difficult, low-scoring lane condition, and I had taken the lead near the end of the event, just ahead of Lucy Giovinco (Sandelin). She finished the last game before I did, and I knew I needed to shoot in the 190s to win gold. I was so nervous on every shot, my heart was just pounding, but I was able to stay clean and win the event. It was a great feeling to be able to execute on a demanding condition with all that pressure.
What is the funniest or most embarassing thing in bowling you have ever seen or experienced? My most embarrassing bowling moment was in a league in Virginia. I threw a shot and stepped sideways to watch the ball roll toward the pocket. My skirt ripped all the way up the back seam!!! Talk about feeling a draft! We tried to pin it, but it wasn't going to work. So I tucked a bowling towel into my waistband, hanging over my rear and covering the seam, and I finished the night. Some guy came up to me and asked if he could use my towel to wipe off his bowling ball! The whole night was quite a laugh.
List awards, honors, titles, etc.: Three-time Virginia Queens Champion three-time Virginia Amateur Champion (1992-1994) 2 gold medals (singles/team) and 1 silver medal (doubles), US Olympic Festival (1995) Washington DC Area WBA Hall of Fame (1996) two-time PWBA SW Region Champion (2000)