“There’s extra pressure as the defending titlist. I’m sure everyone in the bleachers will be looking at me.”


FACE-OFF: Last year, Kulick made history as the first woman to win a PBA title when she defeated Barnes, 265-195. Will history repeat itself?


mind. I’m not expecting to win or to even make the show. I know I can’t always be the best, but I always strive to do my best. If I can get ev- erything on my prep checklist down and secured, I feel great about my chances.” Barnes finished fourth overall


at the World Series of Bowling and he made the TV show for the PBA World Championship, which will be bowled just a week before the Tour- nament of Champions (Jan 14, 15 and 16 on ESPN and ESPN2). “I’m really not thinking a whole


lot yet about the Tournament of Champions specifically,” says Barnes. “My goal is to be in great bowling shape for every competi- tion, and the first one is the World Championship, which is also in Las Vegas. From there, I go directly to the Tournament of Champions and


20 USBOWLER JANUARY 2011


I hope that I can come in on a high note.” Barnes won the Tournament of


Champions in 2006 and finished as the runner-up three other times (last year to Kulick and in 2008 and 1999). The only player to ever repeat titles in the tournament was Jason Couch, who won three in a row be- tween 1999 and 2002 (there was no event held in 2001). “There’s extra pressure as the


defending titlist,” says Kulick. “I’m sure everyone in the bleachers will be looking at me. But I know Jason Couch, and I think, ‘If he can do it, I can do it,’” she laughs. “That’s no disrespect to Jason! I always believe anything is possible.” Whatever happens, at the end


of the day, you can bet that both Barnes and Kulick will give it their all.


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