Team USA's Michael Martell rolls 300 game at 2021 USBC Open Championships
May 14, 2021
LAS VEGAS - Always listen to your mother.
Two-time Team USA member Michael Martell did just that, and his bowling career is on an upward trajectory.
Even as a rising star with next-level talent, Martell was encouraged to maintain his status as a youth bowler for as long as the rules would allow, while taking advantage of the sport's established steppingstones, such as collegiate bowling and the Junior Gold Championships.
The experience and success he found at each level left Martell more than prepared for his debut at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, during which he guaranteed himself a lifetime spot on the Squad Room announcements with a perfect game during his first three-game set on the biggest stage in bowling.
The 23-year-old left-hander proved how well he knows his own bowling game and navigated his way to the sixth 300 of the 2021 tournament, which is being held at the South Point Bowling Plaza (team) and South Point Bowling Center (doubles/singles).
Martell's performance was the second perfect game during team play at the Bowling Plaza and first overall by a southpaw at this year's event. It came after games of 221 and 215 for a 736 series.
"I threw the first two in the 10th really, really good, then I got pretty nervous on the last one," said Martell, a member of Team USA in 2020 and 2021 and Junior Team USA member in 2018. "I actually moved two and one on the last shot based on the nerves. I made sure I moved because I thought I might miss right, and I did, and I got lucky to strike."
Martell's mother, Nicole, worked in the local USBC association, and she has been there to keep him on track and striving for the next level. Then, as he had learned throughout his collegiate career at Robert Morris-Illinois, communication is a key to success, and there's nothing quite like team bowling.
His twice-delayed debut at the Open Championships had him back in that exciting atmosphere again, and he has no doubt it contributed to his big day Friday.
After a teammate suggested a ball change on just the right lane during the second game, he tried it but didn't like the result. Instead, he was able to overpower the challenging lane condition by adjusting his speed from one lane to the other.
"I love the team atmosphere, and I've been looking forward to bowling in this event for a while," Martell said. "I love team competition and being able to feed off each other. Even when things weren't going as well for everyone today, they gave me some great energy and advice, and it really helped keep me going. This is the closest thing there is to college bowling, which I really miss it. It was cool to be back in the team environment and build off what my teammates were doing."
Martell helped 39 Boards Pro Shop of Staten Island, New York, to games of 925, 1,053 and 1,045 for a 3,023 team total.
While at Robert Morris, Martell was an NAIA national champion (2016), NAIA Second-Team All-American (2018), National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association All-American honorable mention (2017-2018) and an NCBCA First-Team All-American (2018-2019).
Individually, he earned a pair of top-four finishes at the Junior Gold Championships in 2013 and 2017. He recorded his final Junior Gold appearance in 2018 at age 20.
Following the completion of his youth and collegiate careers, Martell took aim at the Professional Bowlers Association Tour, where he has emerged as a young player to watch.
His plans for the Open Championships also took shape around the same time, though putting together a team proved to be a challenge in 2019, and two opportunities to compete in 2020 fell short with the cancellation of the event due to COVID-19.
"I tried to bowl the two years I was eligible, and it didn't work out, but here we are now and off to a good start," said Martell, the runner-up at the 2020 USBC Team USA Trials, one of two major events held before competition halted for the rest of the year. "It's an unbelievable feeling today. I made some moves in the 10th frame based on my natural tendencies and what my body does in certain situations, and it paid off. I'm fortunate to understand those things like I do."
The magnitude of the moment and the prestige of the Open Championships also aren't lost on Martell, who forever will be part of the tournament records.
"It's a great feeling to come out here and bowl 300," Martell said. "I've had 300s and 800s before, but to do it here is something I'll never forget. I am excited about my name being announced, and I will be here every single year I can make it. It's such an awesome feeling."
From here, Martell, a pro shop operator at 39 Boards Pro Shop inside AMF Babylon Lanes in West Babylon, New York, is hoping for some opportunities to finally represent Team USA on the lanes.
Despite being on the team for two years, the Team USA program has not gotten together or competed in any capacity since 2019.
"I really hope we have some stuff to bowl this year with the Team USA program," Martell said. "This is my second year on the adult team, and I'm very proud of that. We haven't had camp yet, and we haven't gotten to travel yet, but I'm looking forward to whatever opportunities come. I know I'll be ready, because I've definitely been putting in the work."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
Two-time Team USA member Michael Martell did just that, and his bowling career is on an upward trajectory.
Even as a rising star with next-level talent, Martell was encouraged to maintain his status as a youth bowler for as long as the rules would allow, while taking advantage of the sport's established steppingstones, such as collegiate bowling and the Junior Gold Championships.
The experience and success he found at each level left Martell more than prepared for his debut at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, during which he guaranteed himself a lifetime spot on the Squad Room announcements with a perfect game during his first three-game set on the biggest stage in bowling.
The 23-year-old left-hander proved how well he knows his own bowling game and navigated his way to the sixth 300 of the 2021 tournament, which is being held at the South Point Bowling Plaza (team) and South Point Bowling Center (doubles/singles).
Martell's performance was the second perfect game during team play at the Bowling Plaza and first overall by a southpaw at this year's event. It came after games of 221 and 215 for a 736 series.
"I threw the first two in the 10th really, really good, then I got pretty nervous on the last one," said Martell, a member of Team USA in 2020 and 2021 and Junior Team USA member in 2018. "I actually moved two and one on the last shot based on the nerves. I made sure I moved because I thought I might miss right, and I did, and I got lucky to strike."
Martell's mother, Nicole, worked in the local USBC association, and she has been there to keep him on track and striving for the next level. Then, as he had learned throughout his collegiate career at Robert Morris-Illinois, communication is a key to success, and there's nothing quite like team bowling.
His twice-delayed debut at the Open Championships had him back in that exciting atmosphere again, and he has no doubt it contributed to his big day Friday.
After a teammate suggested a ball change on just the right lane during the second game, he tried it but didn't like the result. Instead, he was able to overpower the challenging lane condition by adjusting his speed from one lane to the other.
"I love the team atmosphere, and I've been looking forward to bowling in this event for a while," Martell said. "I love team competition and being able to feed off each other. Even when things weren't going as well for everyone today, they gave me some great energy and advice, and it really helped keep me going. This is the closest thing there is to college bowling, which I really miss it. It was cool to be back in the team environment and build off what my teammates were doing."
Martell helped 39 Boards Pro Shop of Staten Island, New York, to games of 925, 1,053 and 1,045 for a 3,023 team total.
While at Robert Morris, Martell was an NAIA national champion (2016), NAIA Second-Team All-American (2018), National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association All-American honorable mention (2017-2018) and an NCBCA First-Team All-American (2018-2019).
Individually, he earned a pair of top-four finishes at the Junior Gold Championships in 2013 and 2017. He recorded his final Junior Gold appearance in 2018 at age 20.
Following the completion of his youth and collegiate careers, Martell took aim at the Professional Bowlers Association Tour, where he has emerged as a young player to watch.
His plans for the Open Championships also took shape around the same time, though putting together a team proved to be a challenge in 2019, and two opportunities to compete in 2020 fell short with the cancellation of the event due to COVID-19.
"I tried to bowl the two years I was eligible, and it didn't work out, but here we are now and off to a good start," said Martell, the runner-up at the 2020 USBC Team USA Trials, one of two major events held before competition halted for the rest of the year. "It's an unbelievable feeling today. I made some moves in the 10th frame based on my natural tendencies and what my body does in certain situations, and it paid off. I'm fortunate to understand those things like I do."
The magnitude of the moment and the prestige of the Open Championships also aren't lost on Martell, who forever will be part of the tournament records.
"It's a great feeling to come out here and bowl 300," Martell said. "I've had 300s and 800s before, but to do it here is something I'll never forget. I am excited about my name being announced, and I will be here every single year I can make it. It's such an awesome feeling."
From here, Martell, a pro shop operator at 39 Boards Pro Shop inside AMF Babylon Lanes in West Babylon, New York, is hoping for some opportunities to finally represent Team USA on the lanes.
Despite being on the team for two years, the Team USA program has not gotten together or competed in any capacity since 2019.
"I really hope we have some stuff to bowl this year with the Team USA program," Martell said. "This is my second year on the adult team, and I'm very proud of that. We haven't had camp yet, and we haven't gotten to travel yet, but I'm looking forward to whatever opportunities come. I know I'll be ready, because I've definitely been putting in the work."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.