STOW, Ohio — At just 16 years old Jillian Martin has found a sport that’s right up her alley.

“So, I am the youngest to make Junior Team USA, I am the youngest female to cash at a PWVA [Professional Women's Bowling Association] event, and I am the youngest to make a step ladder,” Martin said. “I finished second at a professional tournament this past week, and I also had a third place finish as well.”

The teenager from Stow has been bowling for most of her life. She began the sport at just five years old.

“Honestly, it is surreal, but I love doing it,” Martin said. “It is awesome to be able to go out on the lanes and be myself and just be able to have that experience and do what I love.”

The list of Martin’s accomplishments is impressive and to become the youngest person to make the Junior Team USA takes a lot of dedication.

“I think something that everyone dreams about and they always dream of becoming the best, and for me it’s more so putting in that hard work, putting in the practice, just to be able to get there,” said Martin.

The teenager said spends around 2-3 hours practicing each day and spends most of her weekends traveling across the county for bowling tournaments

"Yeah, it has definitely been hard but a lot of time management has gone into this and just kind of learning when I need to get my homework done, obviously school for me is the number one priority and being able to practice around that and just balance all of that stuff,” she said. “Obviously, too, whenever I’m not bowling I love to hang out with my friends and see them.”

Right now, Martin is a junior in high school, but she does plan on attending college and has dreams of bowling in the Professional Women's Bowling Association tour.

“I’m honestly most proud of me being able to go out there, do what I love and make good shots, and having that success add up,” she said. “I’m really proud of all of the hard work I’ve put in behind the scenes and the things I’ve done to get here.”