Maria Bulanova



    BIOGRAPHY

    I like to think of myself as an easy-going and fun person to be around as I joke a lot and am very easy to get along with. I can be shy at first, but it will take me about 10 minutes of conversation to get comfortable and show you my true self. I can look very serious while I'm bowling, but don't let that fool you.

    I grew up in Moscow, Russia and I started bowling when I was 6 years old. The summer before I went to the 1st grade, both of my parents worked and didn't want to leave me alone in our apartment. Luckily for us, there was a bowling alley right next to my dad's work at the time that had a bowling camp. We enjoyed different activities throughout the day, but bowling, obviously, was my favorite. At the end of the session, the camp hosted a mini-tournament and I won my division! The coaches noticed me and invited me to practice with them in the fall. Who would have known that this little camp could change my life so much? Pretty much every major event in my life has been connected to bowling. I am where I am right now because of this sport, and I will be forever grateful!

    I think my favorite thing to do outside of bowling is puzzles. I've been doing them since I was a kid and have a huge collection at home! Unfortunately, I don't get to do them too often anymore, but I have a lot of fun when I do. I also enjoy cooking, that's something I picked up my senior year of college and during the pandemic. I'm an extremely picky eater, but somehow enjoy making new recipes, especially desserts.




    ACCOMPLISHMENTS

    • Sanctioned 300s: 3
    • Highest Sanctioned 3 Game Series: 809
    • Highest Sanctioned 6 Game Series: 1483
    • Collegiate - Vanderbilt University
    • 4-time All-America Team selection (3 First teams and 1 Second team)
    • 2017 NCAA D1 Rookie of the Year
    • 2017 Southland Conference Champion
    • 2018 NCAA Women’s Bowling National Champion
    • 2019 and 2020 Southland Conference Bowler of the Year
    • 2019 NCAA D1 Player of the Year
    • 2019 and 2020 Tennessee Female Amateur Athlete of the Year
    • Adult
    • Multiple winner and medalist of the Russian Championships in All Event, Singles, Doubles, Trios and Team events (2012-2016)
    • Winner of the 2013 RedExpress Russian Open (Moscow, Russia)
    • Winner of the 2nd Annual Hurgada Open (Hurgada, Egypt)
    • Winner of the 2015 European Champions Cup (Seraville, San Marino/Italy)
    • Second runner up of the 51st QubicaAMF World Cup (Las Vegas, NV)
    • Runner up of the 2016 European Champions Cup (Olomouc, Czech Republic)
    • Youth
    • Multiple winner and medalist of the Russian Youth Championships in All Events, Singles, Doubles and Team events (2010-2016)
    • Winner of the 16th Sinjoor International Youth Tournament (Antwerp, Belgium)
    • Multiple winner and medalist of the European Youth Championships in All Events, Singles, Masters, Doubles and Team events (2012-2016, in Denmark, Austria, Germany, Iceland)