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From left to right: Erin McCarthy, Natasha Roslan, Josie Barnes, New Hui Fen, Emma Friant
Full Bracket Results
LAS VEGAS – The field of 199 competitors at the 2026 United States Bowling Congress Queens has been trimmed to five players for Tuesday’s live stepladder finals at Gold Coast Bowling Center in Las Vegas.
Qualifying leader Erin McCarthy of Elkhorn, Nebraska, bucked recent Queens history and earned the top seed in the stepladder finals, the first time since the 2016 event that the leader of qualifying has made the telecast. McCarthy averaged more than 240 during match play while going undefeated in the double-elimination bracket, defeating Malaysia’s Natasha Roslan for the No. 1 seed.
“When I found out I was the top seed (for match play), I definitely thought about the omen behind it,” said McCarthy. “My goal was to win at least one match and then take it game by game.”
It’s McCarthy’s first major stepladder appearance since her 2022 U.S. Women’s Open win and first championship-round appearance since 2024. With the switch to a new ball company and some physical game changes heading into this season, there was a learning curve to start the year.
“It was definitely a sluggish start to the season, not terrible by any means,” she said. “To make the cut here was almost a relief, especially at the Queens. I made the Queens show 11 years ago and the nerves were pretty high, but I’ve learned since then to stay in the moment and let whatever happens, happen.”
Joining McCarthy and Roslan will be defending Queens champion Josie Barnes of Hermitage, Tennessee, as the No. 3 seed, defending Professional Women’s Bowling Association Player of the Year New Hui Fen of Singapore as the No. 4 seed and France’s Emma Friant as the No. 5 seed.
Barnes has struck a lot in the last month in national competitions, first rolling a 300 at the USBC Open Championships in Reno before another 300 at the USBC Women’s Championships last week in Las Vegas at the South Point Bowling Plaza. She added a third 300 and an 822 during her match against Gianna Brandolino of Channahon, Illinois, on Sunday.
Despite the recent success, Barnes said continuing to compete at the highest level remains especially meaningful as she balances competition with coaching and the preparation needed to stay sharp against younger players.
“I think every year as I get older, you kind of have this thing in the back of your mind like, ‘Okay, this could be it,’” said Barnes. “But I think being able to still compete at the highest level just shows that the work that I'm putting in when I'm not doing this is paying off.”
Barnes also credited the work she has put into her fitness and preparation away from the lanes.
“I've really taken a lot of time to invest in working out and getting my body in a place that I can compete with these young 21-, 22-, 23-year-olds,” said Barnes. “It takes a lot of commitment and a lot of work, and it feels really nice to see that play out.”
Barnes has made a lot of history over the past month and can add even more history Tuesday if she can successfully defend her Queens title. If Barnes does that, she would become the first player to repeat at the event since Katsuko Sugimoto of Japan won in 1981 and 1982.
“Anytime you can add your name to a list like that, I think it feels pretty special,” said Barnes. “For me, I don't really feel like I have to defend anything because no one's come into my house and taken that tiara away from me. Would it be cool to add a twin to it? Absolutely.”
The 2026 USBC Queens saw a lot of strikes during the week as 14 perfect games were thrown along with five 800 series’, both of which are the most in the event’s history and set up the potential for a high-scoring stepladder finals.
Tuesday’s stepladder finals begin with Friant facing New in a matchup of youth versus experience. New is seeking her seventh PWBA title and third major, while Friant is looking for her first title in just her third event as a professional. The winner will advance to face Barnes, while Roslan awaits in the semifinal match before McCarthy bowls for the title as the top seed.
The stepladder finals begin at 6 p.m. Eastern and will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network, with the champion earning the tiara, title and $60,000 top prize.
For more information on the USBC Queens, click HERE.