Puerto Rico's Ayala, Colombia's Gomez lead initial 2001 FIQ American Zone player ratings

Puerto Rico's Michelle Ayala and Colombia's Andres Gomez held the leads in the women's and men's divisions, respectively, in the 2001 Federation Internationaldes Quilleurs rankings for American Zone players announced in September. The ratings will be used to determine eligible players for the second annual World Rankings System Masters in 2002. The top eight men and top eight women from each zone as of Dec. 31, 2001 will be eligible for the tournament. Ayala totalled 542 points to lead Colombia's Juliana Guerrero who had 480.Venezuela's Ingelimar Contreras and Puerto Rico's Cristina Kortright shared third place with 400 points while Shannon Pluhowsky of the United States (Phoenix) and Colombia's Maria Clara Salazar were tied for fifth with 340.

In the men's division, Gomez led with 560 points. Venezuela's Jose Lander was second with 524 followed by Tony Manna Jr. of the U.S. (Omaha, Neb.) with 474, Colombia's David Romero with 410 and Puerto Rico's Bruno Diaz with 252. Rankings were based on finishes in major events including the Tournament of Americas, American Bowling Congress/Women's International Bowling Congress Tournaments, World Games and each country's national amateur championships. Other U.S. women's players in the rankings were Jackie Edwards, Simi Valley, Calif., 80 points; and Diandra Hyman, Dyer, Ind., 76. The only other U.S. male listed was Bill Hoffman, Columbus, Ohio, 70. Canada was led by Jennifer Willis and George Lambert with 220 points each.