RENO , Nev. - There are a few things one expects to see at the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships each year like the usual bowling equipment, a steady stream of excited bowlers arriving and departing, some new faces and some familiar faces.

But, one thing that is short in supply is prospective blushing bridegrooms. On Saturday, Reno 's National Bowling Stadium had one of those, too.

Daniel Cavanaugh, 40, of Sturgis, Mich., nervously approached tournament officials earlier that evening and asked for permission to propose marriage to his girlfriend of six months, Michele Repp, before she bowled in her team event. He had shopped for a diamond ring during the day and wanted to make good on a promise he said she thought he'd never follow through on.

"We are both transplants from the Chicago area to Michigan, and we hit it off right from the start, so I have been re-building my family's old cabin to use as a new home for us in Sturgis," Cavanaugh said. "All we have been talking about is that we want to start a new life and blend our two families together."

The two lovebirds each had been married once before and have three children between them, ages 8, 12 and 14.

While 41-year-old Repp, a primary grades teacher at Wall School in Sturgis and league bowler at AMF Sturgis Lanes Bowling Center, prepared for her second appearance at the Women's Championships, her soon-to-be fiance worked with officials on how to surprise her with the ring and proposal.

"We met at a local pub in Sturgis and were each shocked to discover that although we were both from Illinois, each of our families had brought us to the same Michigan vacation spot in Sturgis for more than 40 years," Cavanaugh said. "Then, once we met each other's children and everyone got along great, we knew we needed to stay connected, and I started working on our dream home."

Following the evening's squad room announcements, award presentations and general information delivery, Repp was called before the squad room assembly of 320 women by Tournament Manager Eric Pierson. Puzzled, she approached the front of the room, where Cavanaugh stepped out, knelt and held out the ring box, tearfully asking her to marry him, to the rousing approval of all gathered.

Stunned, Repp embraced him speechlessly as they hugged to the applause of onlookers. Finally, she managed to say, "I'd be happy to be your wife."

Later, Repp happily reflected on her fiance's powers of persuasion.

"Only he could get the USBC to let him propose in the middle of a national tournament," she said.

As bowlers prepared to take their places and congratulated the pair, Cavanaugh was asked what he would've done if she had turned him down.

He paused momentarily before answering, "I guess I would've had to ask for a show of hands for other volunteers for the job."

Later, the couple was recognized by fellow bowlers who were passers-by on the street.

"We felt like celebrities," said Repp.

No date has been set, but the numbers are in for Repp's bowling performance, and she says her scores were inspired by the proposal. She shot 388 in Division 4 singles (130 and under average), 374 in Division 2 team (746-845 average) and 346 in doubles for a 1,108 all-events total.

Presenting sponsors for the 2009 USBC Women's Championships are Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus Reno. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Sands Regency Casino Hotel, Harrah's Hotel and Casino, Club Cal Neva, and Storm Products Inc.