Blanche Deal of Marshall has been bowling in the Show Me State Games since 1989. She’s back again this year, still going strong at the age of 84. Deal says her bowling career began with a gift from her children in 1949. Her children saved up money from working in the cornfields to buy her a pair of bowling shoes. Deal says she once averaged about 170, but now, in her prime, she carries an average of 136. She’s trying this weekend to add to her collection of 25 medals. Deal is one of over 30-thousand people who are expected to take part in the Show-Me State Games, which get underway today in Columbia. The games feature 33 different events, and run over the next three weekends.
