A few weeks ago, Jillian Martin lit the bowling world ablaze. At just 16 years old, she competed at the Professional Women’s Bowling Tour’s Kickoff Classic Series in Arlington, Texas on January 19-26.
In the three PWBA events, the young right-hander placed eighth, second, and third against 35 of the best women in the world. She took home over ten thousand dollars in scholarship earnings — not that she’ll have trouble finding a school to offer her a full-ride. She fired a near-perfect 299 game in the first event and an 800 series in the second.
Last week, I wrote about the context of her breakout moment and why her performance was no fluke. Forget about her age — she is that good. I reached out to Martin to get to know the budding superstar a bit more. Check out our conversation:
Nolan: So what made you decide to enter the ITRC events and were those your first PWBA tournaments?
Jillian: I bowled the US Women’s Open and the East Hartford Open in 2019 and after those, I knew I wanted to bowl more on the PWBA because I felt like I could compete. Right when they came out with the schedule for 2021, I knew I wanted to bowl.
Was there a specific moment during either of those events when you realized I can do this?
After I shot the 299 in the first event, I was almost in the cut [for the stepladder] and I kinda had that moment. But I couldn’t quite get there. I had that moment again when I was in 6th at the ITRC Classic and I was able to get to the cut. After that, I was pretty much set on the idea that I could do it from there on out.
That makes a lot of sense. I can almost see that confidence manifesting in that tenth frame. On a similar note, was there a moment during the ITRC events when you went holy crap, I’m really here and I’m killing it?
Kind of, when I made the stepladder at the ITRC Classic. But at the same time, I felt like I was there to win, so I still had that higher focus.
What gives you confidence at such a young age going against the pros?
Just trusting all the work I’ve put in behind the scenes. When I practice, I do drills for a game or two (finish [foul-line release], one-step, two-step, and three-step). Then I work on anything physical (footwork, tempo, backswing, left arm, etc.). The last part I do is versatility, so I find three very different parts of the lane and move between them to see how good of shots I can execute.
Honestly, I don’t know why I added “against the pros” — you’re one of them at this point. Do you even look at them that way anymore or are they just competitors in your path towards winning?
I would say I still do look at them as pros — because they are — but at the same time, they are competitors. While I’m bowling they are very much my competitors.
What do you consider your greatest strength as a bowler?
My power going to the line and rev rate. It’s anywhere between 420 and 450, though we haven’t measured it in a while. That’s pretty good for the PWBA.
On the other side, what was the first thing you worked on when you got home? You seem like the type of person that already has like five things in mind to practice on, even after a great performance.
Yeah, so I’m working on my tempo, footwork, left arm, and a few other things. I just have to see what my coach thinks.
Wow, that’s incredible dedication. It reminds me of the custom Kobe Bryant jersey you wore. It was a cool touch that you wore it on January 26th (the anniversary of his death). Was he an idol of yours?
So my dad is a huge basketball fan and when [the crash] happened, I think it was significant because it was Kobe Bryant. But the back of the jersey is for Gigi, and for me, that was important because we are pretty close in age.
You’ve got plenty of time to decide, but do you have any thoughts on what you want to study in college?
I truly have no idea. I like math and science, so probably something involving that.
What about bowling after school?
If I have the opportunity to bowl full-time, I’d like to do that for sure.
Do you have any more PWBA events on your upcoming schedule?
The PWBA has a rule where nonmembers can only cash in two events, excluding majors. I can’t become a member yet because of [youth and collegiate] eligibility restrictions, so I have to wait until the next Classic Series. That only counts as one cash, so I’ll basically get a three-for-one.
Well, those are all the questions I have. Any final thoughts?
Obviously, I want to say thank you to my parents and coach for all their support! And to Storm for making the best bowling balls out there.
This interview has been edited for clarity purposes.
Nolan Hughes is a college bowler at Lincoln Memorial University. He will be graduating this May with a degree in Sport Management and attending journalism school in the fall. He can be contacted via email at nolan.hughes@lmunet.edu.
*All photos obtained via the PWBA’s Facebook page.