Sports are a matter of degree. And in a never-ending cycle of more and more games, the most striking outcomes can get lost in lists of “the best ever” and “greatest hits” and “most important earth- shattering end-all highlight forever and ever.”
But Kelly Kulick’s stunning run through the Professional Bowlers Association’s Tournament of Champions last month in Las Vegas marked a major point in individual sports. Kulick — who upset tour heavyweight Chris Barnes with a final-round 265, including a run of six consecutive strikes — became the first woman to win a PBA Tour event.
And she did it in a bowling major. For comparison, Kulick’s win would be like Michelle Wie winning the Masters or Danica Patrick winning the Daytona 500.
This weekend, Kulick, of Union, N.J., returns to the lanes for the Don and Paula Carter Mixed Doubles tournament at the Brunswick Zone in Wheat Ridge. Match play starts today with two rounds and finishes with finals Sunday, airing live on ESPN at 11 a.m.
“It’s been very chaotic,” Kulick said of the whirlwind that followed her win. “I’m happy to be back on the lanes to do my job. I’m more comfortable on the lanes than off. I’d rather be there.”
Attention suddenly shifted to pro bowling, much of it to Kulick. Even NFL star receiver Terrell Owens took notice, sending a Twitter message to his sizable audience: “Kelly Kulick just defeated Chris Barnes 265-195 to become the 1st woman ever to win the PBA Tour!! Congratulations Kelly!”
“It’s not distracting me from bowling, it’s just gotten me out of a routine,” Kulick said. “I need to find a balance. I really need to be bowling.”
Kulick’s surprise victory has become a point of pride for the women’s series.
“Most of the women were ecstatic,” she said. “They threw me a surprise party. It was a great achievement that I hope everyone can be proud of.
“I think I’m always gonna have that to remember. But I’m not taking anything for granted. I just want to see what happens.”
After two qualifying rounds at Wheat Ridge, Kulick earned a fourth seed from the women’s bracket. She will be paired with the No. 4 men’s player today for the start of doubles play. Michelle Feldman of New York earned the top women’s seed.
“It’s been deceiving,” Kulick said of the “Scorpion” oil pattern on the lanes in Wheat Ridge. She averaged a 218.79 over 14 games Thursday. “I can get the ball to the pocket, but I’m trying to match up better with the equipment.”
Before the men’s second round finished late Thursday, Australia’s two-handed bowler Jason Belmonte led men’s qualifying through 11 games. Barnes was seventh.
AROUND TOWN
Bears suffer setback, but still remain a Big Sky player.
The Northern Colorado men’s basketball team suffered a setback last week when host Weber State beat UNC to get the inside track to host the Big Sky Conference Tournament, with an NCAA Tournament berth at stake.
But Northern Colorado is hardly out. After beating Eastern Washington 58-54 in Greeley on Thursday, the Bears host Portland State on Saturday. The Bears’ 21 wins are the most since 1966.
The 7 p.m. tipoff at Butler-Hancock will be the last chance to see UNC in conference action this season.
After a Tuesday nonconference game against Johnson & Wales, UNC faces Sacramento State on Feb. 27 in the season finale. The Big Sky Conference Tournament starts March 6.
Then, it’s the NCAA Tournament that will be on the line.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
Metro State honors past
Any legitimate college basketball fan in Colorado ought to know. But for reminders: The Metro State men’s basketball team is the winningest program in Division II history, capturing national titles in 2000 and ’02.
On Sunday, the school celebrates the anniversary of the first of those national titles with a pair of alumni games. The Roadrunner men host Nebraska-Kearney at the Auraria Events Center at 3 p.m. The Metro women follow at 5 p.m. against the Lopers.
Among those alumni on hand will be Lee Barlow, who played on the 2000 national title team and was inducted into the Metro Hall of Fame this week. Also inducted was the 1989-90 team, the first squad to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
STAY ON THE COUCH
Tough run for Nuggets.
The NBA’s all-star break gave most of the Nuggets some healthy time off — minus Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and George Karl, who helped make up the West team. But the NBA didn’t do Denver any favors with the schedule when the team came back.
Back-to-back games Thursday and Friday have the Nuggets traveling to Cleveland and Washington. They turn around for a Sunday game in Denver against the Celtics at 1:30 p.m.
The Boston tipoff will be the first of two consecutive nationally televised Sunday games featuring the Nuggets on ABC (KMGH-7). They also play the Lakers in L.A. on Feb. 28.
ABC’s broadcast team will have plenty to pontificate about, with the Nuggets newsier than ever. Anthony, Billups and Kenyon Martin are back from injury. And Karl’s announcement Tuesday that he’s again fighting cancer adds drama to the backdrop.
GET OFF THE COUCH
A chilly running weekend.
Snow moved over the Front Range on Thursday. Typical for a February. For runners, they say to the brrr: “pshaw!” Still, a running cold moves into the area this weekend, with two temperature-themed races dotting the landscape.
On Saturday is the Chilly Cheeks Duathlon at Cherry Creek State Park. The race includes a 10-mile ride on paved path and a 4-mile run on road and dirt trails. Check for information.
On Sunday, head to Boulder for the Frozen Foot 5K at 9 a.m. on the University of Colorado campus. The race is a fundraiser for the CU triathlon team, with hopes of sending it to the collegiate nationals. Go to for info.
