During her spare time, Wisnieski a striking success
JERRY AULDS

The boys have been rolling down the lanes after her hot pursuit, but thus far local high rollers can't catch El Campo's passionate grandmother and bowler, Rebecca Wisnieski.

This good-natured, friendly gender battle of strikes, spares and high average takes place three nights a week out at the El Campo Bowling Center for the office manager and bookkeeper at Rice Farmers Coop.

Monday, Wisnieski rolls with the ladies while on Tuesdays and Thursdays she hits the lanes in mixed league competition. In all but the Thursday night mixer, Wisnieski posts the highest average for both women and men.

"I'm second to Thomas Chitwood on Thursday, but he's a young, strong 18-year-old teenager who was born on a bowling lane," she said flashing a grin.

Bye the bye, Wisnieski averages over 200 in each of the three leagues. And while she does not go head-to-head with the men on Wednesdays, earlier this year when the ITA Tournament made a stop in El Campo, one of the men's teams was short a bowler. Becky stepped in and helped that team win and her ladies team also swept to a first place finish.

And Becky's success on the lanes has not been limited to just the local scene. In 2005, the pretty grandmother captured an individual state title in "All Events" and her women's team also snared a state crown.

Whence cometh Wisnieski's passion for spares, strikes and going head to head with the "Big Boys?"

Becky counts the influence of her family and sessions at Wood Bowl.

"Mom, Dad and my brother were all good bowlers and 25 years ago, we put in lots of time on the lanes at Wood Bowl."

Then after a 25-year hiatus came the start-up of the El Campo Bowling Center and Becky's passion was reborn. But when she needs a straight ball to nail a spare, "I still have my Mom's ball from back in the old days. It's got her name, 'Marcel,' on it. Mom has always been a straight shooter," she proudly declared.

Despite her love for bowling, Becky says her two granddaughters rank as her number one passion, although she admits to buying each of them their own small plastic bowling balls and pin sets.

Becky expects when her grandbabies do take up bowling, just like Grandma, the boys will be chasing to catch up.

Back to the present bowling front, Mike Bergstrom, manager of the El Campo Bowling Center and a 2006 state double champ, wanted us to know that Becky does not always triumph in the guy versus girl matches.

"Me and her boss Bob Little each took 50 cents off her on Thursday," he vowed.

For the record, Bergstrom does not give or get pins. Little does.

Next Thursday should be an interesting, way-above-average night.