"My name is Kayla Verstraete, and bowling has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in Loves Park, Illinois, and was introduced to the sport at a young age. What started as something fun quickly turned into a passion that shaped my work ethic, competitive drive, and long-term goals. I continued my bowling career at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where I competed as a Division I student-athlete. During my time there, I was fortunate to be part of a national championship team in 2021 and earn multiple All-American honors. Competing at that level taught me discipline, resilience, and how to perform under pressure. Those lessons continue to guide me today as I compete professionally on the PWBA Tour, where I am focused on growing my game, gaining experience at the highest level, and pushing myself to compete for titles against the best in the world. Outside of bowling, I am finishing my master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. I’m passionate about strategic communication, public relations, and sports marketing, and I love finding ways to connect athletics with storytelling and brand building. Fun facts about me: I’m a Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs fan, I love a good coffee run (especially 7 Brew), I enjoy trying new recipes in the kitchen, and I absolutely love crime shows. Bowling may be what I’m known for, but I’m just as driven in the classroom and in my professional goals as I am on the lanes.