University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) senior bowler Martha Perez has always been a fixture on her country's National stage. This time though, she was at the center of the stage, earning the 2010 title of National Champion. Perez captured three silvers and two gold medals to earn her nation's top bowling honor late last month.
Her country's reigning National Youth Champion, Perez elevated her game, taking on the country's best bowlers, 30 and under, to take the title.
"It was awesome," said Perez. "Last year was great, but this is such an honor. I think the international season has helped prepare me to bowl well for UMES and UMES helps me bowl well internationally."
Perez took fourth overall in the singles competition, totaling 1,061 pins and averaging a 176.83 over six games. After that she never finished lower than second, taking the silver in doubles action with her partner Ana Maria Robles. Perez averages a 193.5 in her share of the event.
In mixed doubles, Perez and her partner Juan Francisco Mendez also claimed silver. Perez outdueled even her male counterpart, posting a 200 average over six games and tallying a 256 in game six, the highest for her in the event.
In team play Perez carried her squad all the way to gold, averaging a 205.5 over six games, the highest of her squad, with games of 191, 192, 222, 200, 204 and 224.
She finished the pinfall part of the event in second place behind Johana Paola Puentes. Perez just trailed her in pinfall 4690 to 4655 to carry a 193.96 average.
From there they headed to the event Masters to determine a champion. Seeded second, Perez knocked out Catalina Maria Medina 568-472 and then Viviana Cuellar in the semi-finals, two games to one.
She would then match-up with Puentes in the finals. Perez took game one 170-169 in the tightest of contests. Puentes rebounded for a game two win 202-171 but fell again in game three 195-192, giving Perez the win and the coveted title.
"Martha didn't tell me until recently that she even won the National title. She is a very humble young lady and very talented as well. I have been very fortunate that my bowlers do so well in International competition. It really gives us an advantage when the collegiate season rolls around. Martha is one of my three seniors I am counting on to carry us back to the title," said Head Coach Sharon Brummell.