Former PWBA star posts highest league average for female bowlers in 2007-08 season By Joan Taylor
11/21/08
It's great when one of our locals distinguishes him or herself locally, and better when it happens statewide. But something rare has just occurred and it's an achievement that only one in more than a million can only dream of accomplishing.
Marianne DiRupo (pictured), Succasunna, has been informed that she posted the highest average for a (sanctioned) female USBC Bowler for the 2007-2008 season at 240.27. This was in the Strikes and Spares League at Circle Lanes. "I was speechless when I read the letter (from USBC)," she said. "I had to read it three times."
Those who have watched her thirty-seven year career may not be surprised, as this is the woman who rolled four 300 games in one professional tournament, two being back-to-back.
She made the All American team several times as a professional bowler. She was Rookie of the Year. She has won the national, state and county Queens tournaments. In 2003 the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) folded "forcing me into an earlier retirement than I had planned," she said.
Fortunately she had a college degree, and currently she is a teacher at Jefferson High School (health and physical education). But she is able to combine that with her true passion, bowling, as the coach of the school's bowling team.
Although the school's program is only two years old, DiRupo is proud to say that her team won its sectional title the first year, and successfully defended it the second year. She also coaches individuals at Circle Lanes, about five minutes from her home. "I live through my 'kids,'" she says.
Recently DiRupo won her division at the county's Elite Tournament, which pits outstanding bowlers from each of the area's centers against each other. And just a week ago, she posted a 300 game en route to her new personal best 800 series of 822.
Marianne is happy to be on the staff of the Mo Rich bowling ball company. Tommy Semiz drills all of her equipment.
"I think it's important to any bowler to have a pro shop that he or she is comfortable with and that spends time drilling equipment for that person's particular game and style. I know that Mo (Pinel, owner and founder of Mo Rich) and Tommy (Semiz) work well together to drill my equipment. All I have to do is put the ball in my hand."
Having ten professional titles on her resume is no small accomplishment either. So what is her goal? "To stay competitive and on top of the technology. Although I miss the competition, I still enjoy the everyday challenge of bowling."
And so once again Marianne has put Succasunna, Morris County, and New Jersey on the map.
If you want to see and learn more about Marianne, check out her fan site.
Column
It's great when one of our locals distinguishes him or herself locally, and better when it happens statewide. But something rare has just occurred and it's an achievement that only one in more than a million can only dream of accomplishing.
Marianne DiRupo (pictured), Succasunna, has been informed that she posted the highest average for a (sanctioned) female USBC Bowler for the 2007-2008 season at 240.27. This was in the Strikes and Spares League at Circle Lanes. "I was speechless when I read the letter (from USBC)," she said. "I had to read it three times."
Those who have watched her thirty-seven year career may not be surprised, as this is the woman who rolled four 300 games in one professional tournament, two being back-to-back.
She made the All American team several times as a professional bowler. She was Rookie of the Year. She has won the national, state and county Queens tournaments. In 2003 the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) folded "forcing me into an earlier retirement than I had planned," she said.
Fortunately she had a college degree, and currently she is a teacher at Jefferson High School (health and physical education). But she is able to combine that with her true passion, bowling, as the coach of the school's bowling team.
Although the school's program is only two years old, DiRupo is proud to say that her team won its sectional title the first year, and successfully defended it the second year. She also coaches individuals at Circle Lanes, about five minutes from her home. "I live through my 'kids,'" she says.
Recently DiRupo won her division at the county's Elite Tournament, which pits outstanding bowlers from each of the area's centers against each other. And just a week ago, she posted a 300 game en route to her new personal best 800 series of 822.
Marianne is happy to be on the staff of the Mo Rich bowling ball company. Tommy Semiz drills all of her equipment.
"I think it's important to any bowler to have a pro shop that he or she is comfortable with and that spends time drilling equipment for that person's particular game and style. I know that Mo (Pinel, owner and founder of Mo Rich) and Tommy (Semiz) work well together to drill my equipment. All I have to do is put the ball in my hand."
Having ten professional titles on her resume is no small accomplishment either. So what is her goal? "To stay competitive and on top of the technology. Although I miss the competition, I still enjoy the everyday challenge of bowling."
And so once again Marianne has put Succasunna, Morris County, and New Jersey on the map.
If you want to see and learn more about Marianne, check out her fan site.
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