Bowling One-On-One with Lauren Russo: Commitment to Success
As a three-time member of Team USA where she won a doubles gold medal, a team gold medal, and a trios bronze medal at the 2021 PANAM Elite Championship, Lauren Russo is completely dedicated to her craft as a professional bowler and as a coach. She is determined and committed to reach her own goals while sharing the knowledge with others to help them reach their goals. I had the opportunity to spend some time with Lauren and I asked her about her bowling journey.
Talk about how you got started in the sport of bowling and when did you realized that bowling would become a big part of your future?
“My parents were bowlers in their younger years, and they met in a bowling center, which then carried on over to their kids. They wanted to get us into bowling at a young age, so they entered us (my brothers and I) at the age of 3 in Saturday morning league at Drkula’s 32 Bowl, and the rest fell into place. The love for the sport grew at a young age and I knew when I was a junior in High-School I wanted bowling to become a big part of my life because I was able to witness my brother, Nick, go off to college and see what college bowling was all about by watching him. For college recruiting, I felt I had my mind set on one school until Junior Gold of 2014 in Buffalo, NY, where Shannon O’Keefe (McKendree University) saw me and I instantly fell in love with the campus and wanted to bowl for McKendree University.”
You had a successful career at McKendree University where you were named the 2015-16 NTCA Rookie of the Year and also a three-time All-American. You also helped the Bearcats to a 2017 NCAA National Championship and a 2017 ITC National Championship.
It would seem that naturally, coaching would be in the cards for you at some point in your future, but that actually was not part of the plan. Nonetheless, sometimes opportunities come knocking when you least expect them. And, in September of 2022 you were named the second Maryville University women’s bowling coach in program history. You made a strong and positive impact winning the NTCA Division II Coach of the Year and GLVC Coach of the Year. In the 2022-2023 season, Maryville earned the first appearance to the NCAA Tournament in program history before taking second at the ITC National Championships in April.
Talk about how this opportunity came about, your thoughts about coaching as you started this new journey and your excitement and expectations as you look ahead for the Maryville University women’s bowling team.
“Coaching was not on my agenda, it was something I never had a love for, I just had the love and passion for the sport. I had just finished my Master’s Degree from McKendree University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and was looking to find a full-time job as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor until this opportunity came about in August of 2022. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but I did know what it took to be a successful college athlete and the work that was required to achieve dreams and goals many athletes have – winning National Championships. I learned quickly in my new role that I wanted to pass that success down to younger women and help guide them through collegiate athletics. In my first year of coaching, the level of trust the girls gave me lead them to success on the lanes. In that moment, as we bowled McKendree University (irony of bowling my alma mater) on the ITC show, I knew that I wanted to build a legacy at Maryville, and the love of coaching became apparent. My love for coaching is much more than just ‘coaching’, it’s the impact I have on these young women’s lives and what they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. It’s the education I can provide to them on and off the lanes, and the hardships that I went through, I am able to help guide them through their hardships. Being a coach is not an easy task and it takes time and dedication to these young adults, but the rewards and the result of success is what makes these moments worth blood, sweat, and tears. I am proud to coach these young women and I am excited to see what this season has in store for these young women.”
Your inner fire and passion to compete individually at the highest level continues to burn. You joined the PWBA in 2019 and you’ve steadily increased your prize winnings each year. You have a career-high finish of third place at the Grand Rapids Classic in 2023. How have you been able to continue to improve your game out on tour?
“Every year on the PWBA I have learned a lot about my game – areas I need to work on – physically and mentally. In late 2022, I made a fit change, which turned out to be a good change, but in 2023, I decided to make a bigger change within my game, and that was to sign with the Hammer under the Brands of Brunswick. I believe this change gave me the most confidence within myself that I could potentially win on the PWBA. During the first Tour stop, I came out firing with a 245 average on the first block, which solidified my decision of switching brands and reassured that my decision was the best one. And after that first block, I felt comfortable the entire year knowing my decision was correct. I continued to put myself in new position to make TV shows and I made my first PWBA show in Grand Rapids, where I finished 3rd, and the following week I put myself in position of making my second show but fell short and finished 6th. I kept telling myself if I put myself in position to make TV shows, I will put myself in position to win, and that’s all I can ask for.”
With the PWBA national and regional season just around the corner, what are some of your goals and expectations as you look ahead?
“For 2024, the goals and standards are set higher. I’ve made a TV show, which means I now am looking to win my first PWBA title, which I believe is going to happen. I have to stick to my own process and trust my own abilities to get the work done. With being a college coach, I feel I use my coaching approach with myself all the time, I am always asking myself ‘what would I say to the girls if they were in this position?’ So, being able to use those roles has also helped me build confidence within myself and my game.”
As you are keenly aware, the PWBA is full of talented bowlers. What’s it like to compete against the best? And, are there particular bowlers that you might especially admire or look up to, past or present?
“Competing against the best in the world is one of the best things. I love being surrounded by so much greatness. Bowling with some of the best has strived me to become one of the best. I have shifted my mindset where instead of competing against the best in the world, I am one of the best in the world. The work I’ve put in, the long days of practice – mastering the physical aspects of the game – has led me to be one of the best.”
“With my past college success, I feel it is easy to say Shannon O’Keefe is someone who I admire because she has been so successful and dominant on the PWBA Tour. Being one of her athletes during her time of success was very rewarding for me because I was learning from one of the best and that is something a lot of people didn’t have. Learning from her helped me love the sport even more than when I started in college, and it gave me clarity on dreams and goals I had set outside of college – winning PWBA Titles.”
With a busy schedule and a very full plate already, I imagine free time is minimal, but when there is time, what other interests or hobbies might you have outside of bowling?
“I am a big homebody and love to be at home with my cats and of course, my husband. My time spent at home is cherished the most because I feel with all my traveling, I don’t get very many moments in my own space.”
As a collegiate coach, a professional and strong supporter of youth bowling, what brief tips or advice would you give to bowlers out there who working on their dreams to become a better bowler and perhaps of bowling collegiately or professionally one day?
“Be confident within yourself, trust what you know and most importantly, have fun! Results don’t happen overnight, but that does not mean hard work goes unnoticed. Continue to work hard and your work will do the talking.”
Lauren, thank you so much for taking time to share your bowling journey. You are making a real difference and such a positive impact on the sport of bowling. Your dedication and commitment to success is an inspiration to others and their hopes, goals and dreams. I wish you the best of luck on the PWBA Tour and also with the Maryville University Saints women’s bowling team.
“Thank you for the opportunity to share my story and get a different perspective of my outside life – coaching. I especially want to thank my friends, fans and most importantly my family, and husband, who support me while I live out my dreams. Being able to give back to the sport makes this journey that much more special. Thank you for having me!”
*Images courtesy of USBC, PWBA, Hammer, Maryville University and Lauren Russo.
