Ruiz Competes at Team USA Trials, Places 56th Overall

(Reno, NV) – Junior Marissa Ruiz competed at the 2025 USBC Team USA Trials that were held in Reno, NV on January 2-7 against the best professional bowlers in the country. Ruiz was 97th out of 99 competitors after day one, but worked her way up to finish 56th overall and was 45th in the amateur standings with an average of 189.3. Each of the five rounds consisted of six games. Click here for the full results.

"As someone who has competed in this event before, Team USA Trials is the hardest, yet most rewarding tournament in bowling," Head Coach Brian Fink said. "Ruiz's performance at this tournament is something that I think every Bronco should aspire to. Throwing yourself into the fire against the strongest competition in the world, getting knocked down and being able to learn and apply something every single time you do. Their mental strength throughout the tournament, and her growth they have made as a bowler, is incredible."

Ruiz had a terrific final round by finishing tied for 18th with PWBA bowler Sydney Brummett. In the final round she bowled games of 186, 161, 177, and 198 in the first four games. She got over the 200 mark at 209 in game five and concluded her day with the second-highest game six score at 257. Her 1188 final round score gave her an average of 198 for the round.

"On day five, the overall scoring was very low because the pattern was extremely difficult and unlike a typical oil pattern. The last pair I bowled on gave me some miss room, something I didn't have much of previously. I was in the right part of the lane with the right ball, and it all lined up for me. Determined to finish on a good note, I really dialed in!" Ruiz commented on her day five.

In round one, Ruiz bowled a 1006 for an average of 167.67. She started moving up in round two with a pin count of 1079 and average of 179.83. She had the fifth-best game five score in round two at 248 that helped put her 80th in the round to move up to 96th overall.

"Competing against the best bowlers in the nation was such a unique learning experience! The intensity of the competition really pushed me to be the best version of myself," Ruiz said. "The women I competed with were all so knowledgeable that I was able to learn from them, where they were playing on the lane and what equipment they used."

Ruiz improved again in round three, finishing tied for 44th in the round to move up to 86th overall. She posted a game-high 257 in game three and had a 226 in game five en route to a 1774 pin count and 195.67 average in the third round. In round four, Ruiz was 40th and moved up to 74th overall with a round of 1232 and average of 205.33. She had four games of over 200, including 223 in games one and three.

"The whole Bronco bowling family is very proud of her performance and we look for more of our bowlers to take on this incredible challenge in the future," Fink said.

Ruiz says she hopes that she can use what she learned at the Team USA Trials to help her close out the season strong.

"For the remainder of my college season, I do have high expectations for myself. I know that I am able to compete at a high level and I expect to do so! Doing this while having fun and enjoying my team is the important part. Using what I learned at Team Trials will allow me to help myself as well as my teammates as we finish out the season!" Ruiz concluded.

The Broncos will return to the lanes on Saturday, Jan. 18 for the two-day Kegel Isbpa Midwest Classic in Addison, IL.