Pro Bowler Set For All-Star Event

By: Travis Bell

TAMPA - Lucy Sandelin/Pro Bowler: "The bowling center is my home right now. I started my own company."

Thus Lucy Sandelin is living her dream - as a bowling instructor.

"Being a bowling coach, ironically, is helping my bowling because I'm focusing on the basics with most students. And I'm obviously listening to myself because my bowling is getting better."

So much better that she won the Senior Queens last year, but...

"I had no idea of what was lying ahead. I got this e-mail that said you're invited to participate in an event, a new event that's going to be on CBS Sports called the Clash of Champions. I thought this can't be real."

But it was true. Now Lucy's journey - which started January 26, 2005 - breathes new life. That's when she was diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer.

"It was quite a shock. I was an athlete. I was busy. I didn't have time for cancer. You must have made a mistake."

The news was real, but she's battled to recovery. Lucy says she's a better person - and bowler - from getting cancer.

"It's like a whole new outlook with my bowling. I was probably a little more intense before cancer. Maybe get a little more upset if I didn't do as well as I expected, but all that has changed."

For the better.

"It's a sport. It's a game. It's something I enjoy, but it's not life and death. It's something that I cherish."