Martin Makes History with Third Major Title

Parma Heights, Ohio - Former Husker Jillian Martin won the PWBA Tour Championship Tuesday night, making history as the youngest bowler to ever win three majors in the Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour.

Martin, a four-time All-American at Nebraska and 2025 NTCA Bowler of the Year, defeated Germany’s Birgit Noreiks, 247-221, at the season-ending Tour Championship at Yorktown Lanes in Parma Heights, Ohio.

With the Tour Championship title, Martin became the first bowler since the Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour relaunched to clinch the Triple Crown — United States Bowling Congress Queens, U.S. Women’s Open and PWBA Tour Championship.

At 22 years, 24 days old, Martin also became the youngest bowler to earn a Triple Crown and win three career majors in PWBA history, surpassing marks previously held by PWBA Hall of Famers Wendy Macpherson (22 years, nine months, 20 days) and Aleta Sill (22 years, eight months, two days), respectively.

“It’s shocking,” Martin told PWBA.com after becoming a five-time champion with three major titles at 22. “I would not necessarily expect to be here. Have I imagined being here? Did I know it could happen? 100%. But I never truly, truly was like, ‘Wow, this is going to happen, and it’s going to happen now.’”

Martin, who was the top seed entering the stepladder finals, became the only bowler to win twice during the 2026 PWBA National Tour season. It was also her 10th consecutive stepladder match win, dating to her 2024 USBC Queens run.