ARLINGTON, Texas - The rookie class on the 2015 Professional Women's Bowling Association Tour only can be described as one for the ages.
With the return of the PWBA after a 12-year hiatus, an incredible collection of players gathered in bowling centers across the country for the first time as PWBA members. Players who already were household names, such as Missy Parkin, Shannon Pluhowsky and Clara Guerrero, were a threat to win every week while recent collegiate standouts such as Liz Kuhlkin, Amanda Greene and Diana Zavjalova showed they were ready for the next step.
But no player matched the rookie campaign of Stefanie Johnson of Grand Prairie, Texas. The 31-year-old right-hander won the PWBA Wichita Open and led the tour in cashes and match-play appearances en route to Rookie of the Year honors.
Few should have been surprised to see Johnson leading the way. Her resume includes three consecutive titles at the Junior Gold Championships, a collegiate Most Valuable Player award and 11 stops on Team USA. Despite those credentials, preparing for the weekly grind of a tour was something different.
"I prepared the same way as I would for any other major event, but really made sure I was mentally prepared," Johnson said. "I went in with an open mind and not really knowing what to expect, but the one thing I was sure of was that the other girls were going to be on top of their game, and I needed to be as well."
Johnson hit her stride early in the season, making it to the stepladder finals at the PWBA Lubbock Sports Open and advancing to the championship match. Despite a 246 effort in the finals, it was not enough to knock off Singapore's Jazreel Tan, who fired 257 to capture the title.
The sting from the second-place finish did not last long.
To just say Johnson won the PWBA Wichita Open the following week would not do justice to her performance at Northrock Lanes. She put together a dominating 14-2 record in match play to lead the field by nearly 400 pins, and secured her first PWBA title with a 247-221 victory over Kelly Kulick.
"Though I didn't win in Lubbock, I bowled great, so I didn't leave hanging my head," Johnson said. "If anything, it helped me in Wichita because it let me know that I belonged out here, that I could compete and that my time would come. Each week was a new tournament, a new pattern, a new center, and just taking everything one week at a time really helped me a lot."
Also helping throughout the season was a strong support system at home. Johnson and her husband, 2004 Professional Bowlers Association Rookie of the Year Chris Johnson, welcomed their first child, Levi, in 2014, which made the weekends away tough for the new mother.
The support and guidance from Chris throughout the season helped her add a second Rookie of the Year trophy to the family mantle.
"Being away from my family was the toughest part, being a first-time mom," Johnson said. "You never know the moments you're going to miss, especially as young as Levi is. Chris has been super supportive as a husband and with our family, which really helped me on the lanes knowing I didn't have to worry about anything back home. That was a huge key in my success out there this year, and I'm forever in debt to him and my mom for giving me that opportunity."
As the season continued and hit its homestretch, Johnson added a pair of second-place finishes, including at The Smithfield PWBA Tour Championship, to her season totals. As she became more comfortable with the week-to-week routine of touring, she also was able to create a stronger relationship with her fellow competitors.
"I really liked being able to spend some of that downtime with the girls," Johnson said. "Even getting to say, 'see you next week,' was neat, because we really never had the chance to say that before."
With her rookie campaign in the record books, Johnson is excited to see if she can raise the bar in 2016 and hopes there are a few more titles awaiting her soon.
As for the upcoming rookie classes, Johnson offers this advice to the players who will look to add their name alongside hers as the top rookie in 2016 and beyond.
"Jump all in," Johnson said. "If this is something you're feeling and have the opportunity to do, go for it. See where you fall and don't get discouraged. We all have to start somewhere. Just commit to it, be all in and give it all you've got."
