Huskers Sign 2021 PWBA National Champion Jillian Martin

Earlier this year, Martin became the youngest bowler to ever win a Professional Women’s Bowling Association national event, as the 17-year-old won the 2021 PWBA BowlTV Classic in August as a non-member. The performance capped a busy 2021 which also saw her win the PBA Junior National Championship title. She also earned a runner-up finish at the 2021 PWBA ITRC Classic and placed third at the 2021 PWBA Hall of Fame Classic. 

Nebraska Coach Paul Klempa, who has worked with eight NTCA Bowlers of the Year during his Husker tenure, believes that Martin is the most accomplished bowling recruit to step on the Nebraska campus.

“I have been involved with college bowing either as a player or coach since 1989, and in that time, I have never witnessed a more accomplished, highly sought after or impactful recruit than Jillian Martin.” said Klempa. “I consider this a milestone signing in the history of Husker Bowling.”

“With her athletic and academic resume, she had the choice of any school in the country to attend,” Klempa continued. “After Jillian visited Nebraska and saw all that the school, athletic department and bowling program had to offer, she knew it was the right fit for her to continue her athletic and academic successes. We could not be more excited to announce Jillian’s decision, and we welcome her into our Husker Family.”

Martin said, “I chose Nebraska because of the state of the art athletic facilities, the welcoming environment created by the coaches, team members and students, and most importantly, because there is no place like Nebraska.”

Martin chose Nebraska over Vanderbilt, McKendree, North Carolina A&T, and Wichita State. 

A two-year member of Junior Team USA who made her first junior national team at age 14, Martin won the OHSAA state title in 2019 and placed ninth at the 2019 Junior Gold Championships. Martin also competed at the 2019 PWBA East Hartford Open, where she placed 24th. She also won the 2018 Teen Masters JV champion and tied for fifth at the Junior Gold Championships in both 2016 (U12) and 2018 (U15). Martin has also won several Elite Youth Tour, Storm Youth Championships, and JTBA titles.