November 2016 -
11
Puerto Rico’s Ayala Will Be
One To Watch During 2017
PWBA Season
By Matt Cannizzaro
ARLINGTON, Texas - When Mariana Ayala was 21
years old, she took a gamble.
No, it wasn't the traditional sports bet or challenging
choice between red, black and the less-likely green
double-zero many might try at that age.
Instead, she bravely left her native Puerto Rico to
chase her competitive bowling dreams at Wichita State
University in Wichita, Kansas.
The decision was easy and challenging for different
reasons, but her passion for a sport, one she first tried
in elementary school, was the deciding
factor. That passion far out-weighed the
uncertainties of an unfamiliar environ-
ment and significantly different culture.
"I was studying architecture in Puerto
Rico, and that's what I really wanted to
do, but I loved bowling more," Ayala
said. "At that time, I had to make a deci-
sion between going to the U.S. or stay-
ing in Puerto Rico. I knew if I stayed at
home, I wouldn't be able to reach some
of my goals. I knew Wichita had the
best program, and that's where I
wanted to be. I wanted to be a Shocker.
I changed schools, packed my bags
and went to Wichita to try out for the
team in 2006."
Ayala found herself more than 2,200
miles from home in search of a new
major and new friends, but, most impor-
tantly, ready to improve on the skills
that helped her become a regular mem-
ber of Team Puerto Rico starting in her
early teens.
Adjusting to life away from home was-
n't the only challenge the soft-spoken Ayala encoun-
tered.
Along with learning new things about bowling, she had
to pick up a few basic life skills, too, simply because
island life in Puerto Rico was so different than life in
Kansas.
This includes things many of her teammates might
take for granted, like using a vacuum cleaner or dryer,
both conveniences that are rare or unnecessary in
Puerto Rico, since most homes don't have carpet and
rely on the warm tropical breeze to dry their clothes on
a clothesline.
Ayala adjusted well, decided on graphic design as a
new career path and earned a spot on Wichita State's
developmental team. That gave her two years to learn
from the program's experienced coaches and talented
players.
Finally, her hard work and dedication earned her two
years on the traveling team, and she got to be a part of
a national-championship win in 2009.
Armed with immeasurable bowling experience and
knowledge from her time with the Shockers, Ayala
found herself at another crossroad after graduation.
In a way, she had turned into an architect of sorts,
after all, building a bridge between Puerto Rico and the
world of college bowling in the United States, crossed
by many young Puerto Rican bowlers since. She also
had been able to maintain her place on Puerto Rico's
national team and shared with her teammates much of
what she'd learned about the strategies of bowling.
But, would Ayala return home to begin her formal
work career in the sunshine of Puerto Rico or remain in
the United States, where she also could continue her
progress on the lanes at a faster pace?
Again, the decision had its pros and cons, ultimately
she decided that staying in the United States would
allow her access to top-tier competition and coaching.
Ayala set her sights on Dallas as a career-starting
destination, despite not knowing the city or anyone
there. It just happened to be centrally located and eas-
ier on the checkbook than cities such as Chicago, New
York and San Francisco.
"I saw my life here in the U.S., and I knew I needed to
stay if I was going to continue getting better on the
lanes," Ayala said. "There's just more opportunities for
me here, both for work and bowling. Life in Puerto Rico
is nice, but it's hard right now, especially since we're
going through a bit of an economic crisis. If I went back,
this road would've have been a little tougher."
Not long after her decision to make the Lone Star
State her new home, a series of events began to un-
fold, that looking back, made Ayala seem destined for
success on the
which still was a few years
from its 2015 return.
Around that time, the
as being added to the International
Bowling Campus in Arlington, and the home of Team
USA also would become Ayala's training ground.
The venue introduced her to Team USA coaches Rod
Ross, Kim Kearney and Bryan O'Keefe, Team USA
members Shannon O'Keefe and Stefanie Johnson and
many others, and she began to build an unexpected
"family" from among the ITRC and USBC staff.
"When I went to Dallas, I was nervous about having to
make new friends and getting comfortable in a new
place," Ayala said. "With the ITRC, I was excited to be
able to practice there, but I never knew how my life
would change because of everyone there. I met some
great people and felt like I was creating a little Dallas
family. They were, and still are, very important in my
life."
Ayala also had the benefit of being able to learn from
former Team USA head coach Jeri Edwards, who was
brought in by a generous Puerto Rican Olympic Com-
mittee to coach the national team. Both the committee
and Edwards have helped in the elevation of Ayala's
game, which became even more important in 2015.
Like many others, the return of the PWBA Tour gave
Ayala a chance to live a life she never expected to
have.
She left college knowing there would be the traditional
major women's events and some international competi-
tion in which she could compete, but she'd have to rely
on her degree for a "real job," which landed her a role
as a marketing and media coordinator for a medical
supply company. In her limited free time, the 31-year-
old right-hander now is pursuing a master's degree in
marketing at the University of Dallas.
Thanks to some creative time manage-
ment and an understanding boss, Ayala
gets to enjoy both careers, while continu-
ing to show improvement and advance-
ment in both areas.
A combination of her time at the ITRC,
her work ethic and Edwards' guidance
left her prepared for the PWBA, and just
being a regular on the Tour has given
Ayala the chance to learn even more
from some of the best players in the
world. It has helped her physically, and
some early success has helped her with
her mental game and confidence.
"I haven't had the success I want to
have, but my bowling has improved so
much," said Ayala, who cashed eight
times and made match play at two
events during the 2016 PWBA Tour sea-
son. "I feel like I'm a lot more competi-
tive. I've become better with making deci-
sions and taking risks, and being around
the great players on the PWBA really has
pushed me.”
Ayala may be quiet on the lanes and silent in her
climb up the PWBA's statistical categories this year, but
that's just the way she likes it.
"It has always been my dream to bowl professionally,
and I am very grateful for the support that allows me to
do that and continue to bowl for Team Puerto Rico,"
Ayala said. "I feel like I'm a little sleepy monster waiting
to wake up. I believe I'm close, and my moment is go-
ing to come."
Ayala's hard work first paid off in 2013 in the form of a
bronze medal in singles at the World Bowling Women's
Championships, while each year and event since has
served as a steppingstone.
Up next is the 2017 PWBA Tour season, which will
kick off its 14-event schedule next April in Rohnert
Park, California.
"I always wanted to be good at something, and I tried
out for other sports, but the first time I walked into a
bowling center, I knew it's what I wanted to do, and I
wanted to be great at it," Ayala said. "Seeing myself on
the Tour is a dream come true. I see that as an accom-
plishment in itself, but, at the same time, I still have a
lot more goals."
