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Allen, Johnson Earn Second BWAA Bowler of Year Honors
courtesy of the BWAA

To be named Bowler of the Year is the highest and most sought-after annual award offered to the sport's top athletes. To win it twice in a three-year span is an exceptionally more remarkable accomplishment.

Duplicating their efforts of 2005, Patrick Allen and Liz Johnson have been voted the nation's top male and female bowlers of 2007 by the Bowling Writers Association of America.

Allen of Wesley Chapel, Fla. began 2007 by breaking out of a serious slump, winning the H & R Block Classic in Reno, Nev., the first week of January. Further victories in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Baltimore made the 37-year-old lefthander the most titled player on the Denny's PBA Tour during the calendar year. In all, he qualified for the championship (TV) round in seven events, helping provide the statistical firepower Allen needed to outpoll some of the most prominent names on the pro tour.

Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y. prevailed in the 2007 USBC Women's U.S. Open as well as the PBA's Ladies & Legends tournament. She finished no lower than fifth during the four-event Women's Series on the PBA Tour and rolled an 843 three-game set during match play of the Masters tournament. Johnson's 14th place finish represented the highest finish by a woman in the history of the Masters.

Allen received 43 first place votes, 19 seconds and 16 thirds for 269 points. Walter Ray Williams Jr. was runner-up with 24 first place votes and 208 points. Others receiving votes were Sean Rash (12-134); Chris Barnes (15-114), and Pete Weber (6-60).

Johnson earned 46 first place votes along with 26 seconds and 10 thirds for 292 points. Diandra Asbaty was next with 20 firsts and 173 points. Others receiving votes were Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (17-156); Kelly Kulick (13-132), and Wendy MacPherson (3-28).

The BWAA has named the country's top male bowler on a calendar year basis since 1941 and the leading female bowler every year beginning in 1948.

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