Editors Note: Tuesday October 26, Will Mark Two Months, Since Madison Holman Won The AZ State Queens Title. And At Age 17, Became the Youngest Female During Its Long Historic Run To Do So. With This Win, She Has Since Gained A Lot Of Respect From Her Peers. And Hopefully, College Coaches From Around The Country Will Notice This Accomplishment As Well.
Pictured Are: AZ State President Jacque Smith, And Madison Holman. Photo Courtesy Of AZ State USBC.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor thetenpinexpress.com - Director Mesa Metro Association
Sun City, AZ. - - - After getting to know Madison Holman the last three years, through her accomplishments in junior bowling. We have come away with two attributes about her. One, she is a very soft-spoken young lady. And two, she lets her bowling ball do all of the talking for her.
On Sunday August 26, 2021, her bowling ball did in fact do all of the talking. As by the end of the day at R.H. Johnson Lanes in Sun City. She became the newest Arizona State Queens Champion. And the youngest person in the State of Arizona at 17, to win this coveted title.
"I have to admit, I think it's pretty cool," she said, after winning the title. And becoming the youngest person in Arizona to do so. "It always feels good to win a tournament and feel accomplished."
Madison, a senior, at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe. Can now call herself a champion and join a list of those in Arizona who have won tournaments here and elsewhere across the United States.
Among the list of names on the who's who list is Kaylan Arthurs, Shirley Braverman, Mandy Etem Cirigliano, Bryanna Cote, Beverly Gonzalez, and Emily Ornelas.
"Junior bowlers are very good, not just in Arizona. But, in the Southwest in general," she says, of how good junior bowlers in the state, have become the last few years. "I'd like to add, that I've bowled against many of these women before in various tournaments, and they have never treated me like a child or youth bowler. They've always been supportive and encouraging. In fact, many of them stayed to cheer me on until the end. Which I thought was awesome."
A good case in point as to why junior bowlers are very good in Arizona. Came in April 2019, at the Pepsi Youth Championships at Bowlero Mesa. This is where Madison and her doubles partner Hunter Mayes, set a new state and national scoring record. By rolling a 1,527 series in doubles.
Hunter also recently won the Junior New Mexico Open, at TenPins & More in Rio Rancho, NM.
"It was awesome," she said, of the 1,527 series in 2019. "I have the best doubles partner in Hunter. I wouldn't say anything in particular clicked this day. I just made good shots. Hunter and I still hold the title as the highest scores for U15 doubles on Bowl. Com. Madison (206-244-243) 693. Hunter 275-279-280) 834."
So, if you didn't see this coming. That leads to the next question. Why does she bowl so well in Arizona State tournaments?
"I think I do well in Arizona State tournaments, because I'm used to competing against all the Southwest bowlers," she says, on why she feels she is successful in state tournaments. "There are some really talented bowlers in the JBT. So, if you want to make a cut, you have to stay focused. I could have easily given up after my first two games in the AZ State Queens, but I didn't."
Bowlers who bowled in the Arizona State Queens and master's event, bowled on the 47-foot Statue of Liberty pattern. It was after the third game, that Madison got some timely advice.
"Mike Haugen was also bowling in the event, and he came over in between shots, and gave me some advice," she said of the advice she got. Haugen won the master's title. "Before the third game, he told me to lower my arm at the line. That turned out to be great advice. I lowered my arm, which helped slow down the ball speed and I started to hit the pocket."
She said the pattern held up OK through the burn. She just continued to move left and change balls when necessary. Her equipment of choice was the Zen, Nano Pearl, and Redemption Solid.
"In any tournament I bowl in. At the end of the day, if I could put a W down, it ranks very high in my book! I can remember some of the scores for Queens were not that great after the first two games .150s and 160s," she said. "Then the rest of the scores during the qualifying round were 200 and above.
"During match play, I won both my matches. 232 and 225. Then 226 and 225," she added on her climb to the top.
The right-hander has competed in three Junior Gold events. Those being in Dallas, TX., Detroit, MI., and Indianapolis, In. Her highest finish was 20th, in Indianapolis. Because of Covid-19, she was a little disappointed that a Junior Gold event didn't take place in 2020.
"I was really disappointed that it was cancelled in 2020," she said, of not having the opportunity to impress college coaches last year. "I was looking forward to a Vegas Junior Gold. I'm in my senior year of high school now, so this summer I will be preparing to head off to college. I honestly don't know right now if there will be a Junior Gold for me in 2022."
She feels there is another reason, a very important one, that helps her prepare and be successful in events like the Queens.
"There are three bowling training centers in the U.S., and how lucky are we to have B3 right here in Tempe," she says, of her practice facility. If you are a bowler: youth, college, league, or competitive, you need to check out B3. I feel so lucky because not only do I practice at B3, but I work there, too! I get to be around and learn from Mike and Brandi Calderon, as well as Cortez Schenck and Wesley Low multiple times a week. I love the atmosphere of B3. It has definitely been a positive in my life."
She has bowled at R.H. Johnson before in CBE events and likes bowling there.
"I never go into a tournament thinking I am going to win, or I'm going to lose," she says, of her preparation. " I just show up and hope I am prepared enough to play to my potential."
While she has accomplished a lot during her young career. She is also hoping there is a lot more to accomplish in the game of bowling in the immediate future.
"I have so many goals I want to accomplish, but I think my main focus for the immediate future. Is deciding what college I am going to play for. I've talked to some great schools with great coaches, and soon I need to decide where I'll be spending the next four years," she says, of what bowling holds for her future. It's exciting and terrifying at the same time. Plus, I have the added pressure of talking my bowling family (Chris and Hunter Mayes) into moving wherever it is I decide to go. Haha just kidding. I wish. I'm so used to having them around, but I know I'll be doing this one on my own. Until then, I'll keep bowling: JBT, CBE, and USBC tournaments. And keep working on my game."
Arizona State Bowling News - October 24, 2021.