SJB's Alex Martinez on state title: 'Knowing I'm the first to do something like that, it's really amazing'
Alex Martinez of St. John the Baptist holds her trophy after winning the CHSAA state individual girls bowling championship on March 2 at AMF Babylon Lanes. Credit: Neil Miller
Imagine being the first bowler to win the state championship in a new event. The euphoria rushing through your body as fans’ cheers echo off the walls like bumpers on a lane.
St. John the Baptist’s Alex Martinez doesn’t need to dream of that. She’s already lived it.
Martinez won the inaugural CHSAA state girls bowling championship on March 2, on her home lanes at AMF Babylon.
“Even when I felt like I did something really good, I always knew that someone did it before me,” said Martinez, who had to win a total of nine matches to secure the title. “That kind of grounded me . . . but knowing I’m the first one to do something like that, it’s really amazing.”
Now, Martinez’s hardest decision is where to hang the plaque she received. It’s been a long journey from disappointing December games and an even further trip from her beginnings as a bowler just over two years ago. She emphasized how important a team’s support system can be to uplifting someone and shared her mindset that led her to the history books.
“If you let that bad game affect you in your next game, that’s going to be your undoing,” Martinez said. “You have to get it out of your head and just keep bowling.”