Bryanna Coté Claims First Major Title at 2023 U.S. Women’s Open

Bryanna Coté, a talented bowler from Tucson, Arizona, achieved a significant milestone in her Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) career by winning her first major title at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open. The victory, which took place at ABC Gates Bowl, was a testament to her perseverance and skill as she defeated Colombia’s Clara Guerrero 153-142 in a thrilling final match.

A Career-Defining Victory

Coté, who had already been named PWBA Player of the Year in 2021, had set two major career goals: winning a major championship and achieving top player recognition. With this win, she finally checked off the first goal, solidifying her place among bowling’s elite.

Despite the relatively low scores in the championship match, the competition was intense, featuring four lead changes and coming down to the final frame. Coté needed just nine pins in the tenth frame to secure the title, but on a challenging 41-foot oil pattern, no result was guaranteed. Her shot landed high on the headpin, leaving three pins standing, forcing her to make a crucial spare conversion. She successfully picked up the spare and finished with an eight-pin count on her final shot, securing an 11-pin victory.

The triumph earned Coté the prestigious green jacket, the iconic championship trophy, and a $60,000 prize, while Guerrero took home $30,000 for her runner-up finish.

An Emotional Dedication

Following her win, Coté took a moment to reflect on what this victory meant to her. With deep emotion, she dedicated her first major championship to her late grandfather, Ray Munguia, who had introduced her to the sport.

“This tournament win is beyond special to me, and I dedicate it to my grandfather, Ray Munguia,” Coté said. “He was the person who taught me how to bowl and was always the first person I’d call after I won. We lost him recently, which was really heartbreaking, but I know that he was there with me and that he’d be proud of me. This win is for him.”

Coté’s achievements in bowling extend far beyond this title. She is a five-time PWBA Tour champion, the reigning International Bowling Federation (IBF) World Cup women’s singles champion, and a 12-time gold medalist for Team USA.

A Hard-Fought Journey to the Final

Coté earned her place in the championship match by defeating No. 5 seed Danielle McEwan of Stony Point, New York, in the semifinals with an impressive 248-199 victory. McEwan, who was chasing her second U.S. Women’s Open title, had previously won two intense matches against Liz Johnson and Diana Zavjalova to reach the semifinals.

McEwan started the night with a 212-201 win over six-time U.S. Women’s Open champion Liz Johnson of Niagara Falls, New York. She then went on to defeat Latvia’s Diana Zavjalova 227-192, securing a spot in the semifinals before ultimately falling to Coté. McEwan finished in third place, earning $22,000, while Zavjalova and Johnson took home $17,000 and $13,000, respectively.

The road to the U.S. Women’s Open title was grueling. A total of 108 competitors bowled 24 qualifying games over three days, with only 36 advancing to Round 4. After another eight games, the top 24 bowlers moved on to round-robin match play. The five finalists were determined based on total pinfall and bonus pins accumulated over 56 games.

A Victory to Remember

Winning a major championship is a defining moment for any bowler, and for Coté, this U.S. Women’s Open title is a career highlight.

“You’re an ‘it person’ when you win a major title, especially the U.S. Open because it’s so hard,” Coté said. “This ranks up there with anything that I’ve ever accomplished. I’m grateful, and this is a win that I’ll cherish for a very long time.”

With her first major title now in the books, Bryanna Coté has firmly established herself as one of the top competitors in professional women’s bowling, and this victory will undoubtedly serve as inspiration for her future performances.