More than 60,000 bowlers will make the journey to Albuquerque, N.M., to compete in this year's USBC National Championship tournament

A total of 12,615 five-player teams have registered, making it the second-largest tournament ever held outside of Reno, Nev. The last time that the event was held in Albuquerque was in 2000, when 54,000 bowlers competed.

The largest tournament held outside of the National Bowling Stadium was in 2005, when 13,222 teams visited Baton Rouge, La.

The tournament runs from Feb. 16 to July 7. More than $5 million in prize money will be distributed.

In 1995, the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., hosted the national tournament and attracted the largest number of five-player teams. How many teams competed? a. 17,285, b. 16,860, c. 15,454, d. 20,020. Answer at the end of the column.

Most leagues and bowling centers allow their leagues to practice before play begins. This is an important time to get ready for the competition ahead of you.I recommend that you make sure your body is physically ready to go before you even pick up your ball. Deep knee bends, wrist rotations, arm extensions and back stretches are great ways to limber up.Next, pick up your ball and take a practice approach without rolling the ball to be sure that you aren't going to have issues with sliding.After completing that step, roll a practice shot to loosen up some more. Then you can start to practice rolling at your target.Bowling is no fun if you are injured in any way. Be sure that you are physically prepared before bowling.

• Chuck Dight led the way in the Armco C league with a 266 game and 698 series. Others who bowled well were: Dave Peters 266 (660), Joe Yusko 241 (664), Tim Hoffman 243 (652).• Craig Buck led the Kelly Automotive League with a 257 (702). Other scores: Chuck Lorenzini 257 (689), Lou Rome 258 game• <B>Firearms:</B> Mike Keefer 266 (670), Skip Weyand 258 (725), April Baird 204 game, Courtney Baird 186 (518)• <B>Automotive League: </B>Don Clark 279 (721), Paul Zitzman 278 (721), Dave Morgan and Gary Swidzinki 675 series• <B>Fox's Pizza Den:</B> Bob Eppinger 268 (720), Jim Hepler 254 (699)• <B>Buckhorn:</B> Wayne Dunkle 257 (684), Dan Bothell 224 (663), Mike Fair 259 (653), Ron Jackson 178 all-spare game• <B>Coins League:</B> Linda Smith 203 game, Sandy Mickey 554 series• <B>Armco A:</B> Steve Sofi 246 (657).

Michael Haugen Jr. overcame a 50-pin deficit to defeat Chris Barnes 215-214 to win the PBA Tournament of Champions.Ryan Shafer beat Pete Weber 215-213 in match one, and Barnes beat Shafer 257-215 in the semifinal.Haugen won $50,000 and earned a two-year exemption in the PBA Tour.The pros are off this week.

In 1995, 17,285 teams competed in the USBC Tourney, then known as the ABC tournament.