Caldwell University’s Lauren Marks: Bowling Star and Artistry Combined

When senior Lauren Marks, a fine arts major at Caldwell University, sets outs to create a work of art, a sketch pad and color pencils are not the only tools that she uses to express herself.

She is also an accomplished bowler, using the lanes to distinguish herself as an impressive ‘Queen Pin’ for the Division II college’s Women’s bowling program.

This past season, Marks has earned the National Tenpins Coaches Association (NTCA) All-America honor, the organization announced recently at the NCAA Bowling National Championship banquet.

Additionally, Marks has picked up numerous other accolades: She is a two-time Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Bowler of the Year, All-CACC First Team performer, three-time CACC All-Academic and CSC Third Team Academic All-America performer.

Plus, she led the CACC in individual scoring average (20.375 pins/frame overall, 20.189 in Baker, 20.632 in traditional), almost a full pin more than the next competitor, frame fill percentage (86.5%), strike percentage (50.6%), spare percentage (92.2%) and pretty much every statistical category the league publishes.

After a successful college career, Marks has now competed in two professional bowling tournaments: one last year, and one this year, developing more confidence along the way.

“I think I was a little nervous going into the first one, because the format was different,” the 5-foot-2 Marks said. “But I felt a lot less nervous the last time I bowled (pro). It was a really good experience. I love bowling with higher caliber bowlers. I’m excited about seeing what’s out there.”

While Marks, a colored pencil artist, has landed work with Prismacolor to fashion creations on social media, it is not as much of a social outlet for her as bowling is, she noted.

Moreover, she said bowling fills her intense ambitious desire and hopes to continue that aspiration in the near future.

“Bowling is a social thing for me,” the Parsippany, N.J., native said. “I grew up in that environment. The people I watched growing up, I’m bowling with now. Bowling is competitive to me, and I plan on bowling in everything I can. I have a few tournaments coming up this month.”

After one year at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), Marks transferred to Caldwell, and she petitioned the NCCA to bestow her with an extra year of eligibility, something for which she is extremely grateful that it came to fruition, she said.

“I thought I was only going to have to have four years of eligibility,” Marks said. “But the NCAA granted an extra year. That meant so much for to me. I wanted to have the same chances as everyone else because my first year did not work out,” not disclosing the reason. “But I wanted it because I had more goals and wanted to spend more time with my teammates,” she added.”

Marks made the most of the extra year, leading the Cougars to a 47-36 overall record and go 13-5 in CACC action in the 2024-25 campaign. Also, Marks helped Caldwell secured the No. 2 seed in the CACC Championship tournament, in which it went 2-2. Plus, she held a 3.95 GPA as a senior.

From canvases to pro bowling allies, and everywhere in between, Marks strikes for future success, bar none.

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— Jerry Del Priore

Photos: Caldwell University Athletics.