Bowling One-On-One with Breanna Clemmer: I Belong
It’s through the dedication of the people who transcend the sport of bowling to new heights and levels every single day. And through their commitment, determination and love for the game they continue to raise the bar and challenge us all to be the best version of ourselves.
Breanna Clemmer is one of those people who has made a significant and positive impact on the sport and has dedicated herself to achieving new heights and levels since a very early age. When you combine the love and passion with talent, athleticism and determination, new standards will evolve. As a successful youth bowler, collegiate bowler, and now a two-time PWBA Champion, she continues to raise the bar and gives back to the sport she loves.
I was fortunate to catch up with Breanna and I asked her about her bowling journey.
Welcome to Bowling One-On-One. Talk about your first exposure to the sport of bowling. How did you get started in the game? And was there a moment when you realized that bowling would become a big part of your future?
“I grew up in a ‘bowling family’ and was sort of born into the sport. My grandpa (James Clemmer), uncles, and my mother bowled, therefore I was destined to at least play the sport. I started bowling when I was 2 years old in our PeeWee league and moved through the ranks of our youth league at the time. When I was about 10 or 11 years old, I won my first sport shot tournament against the older girls. That’s when it sunk in that I could make a career out of this and that I could go pretty far with the sport.”
You’ve had an incredible journey bowling for Team USA, both as a youth and adult since 2014. This year is your twelfth year a part of Team USA. Throughout this journey you’ve won 21 medals in Team USA competitions, 9 of them Gold. What are some of your most memorable experiences from these journeys?
“I have a few experiences on Team USA that stick out to me, but I have two that stick out in my memory that mean the most to me. In 2018, when we won the World Youth Team Championships with Taylor Bailey, Caitlyn Johnson, Mable Cummings and me, it was one of the most pivotal moments in my career with Team USA because I could see myself wanting that feeling of winning Worlds over and over again. Another experience is winning my first Adult Team USA medal with Lauren Pate (Russo) in 2021. We have been friends for over 10 years, college teammates and Team USA teammates. We were paired up to bowl doubles and with our familiarity with each other, we came out on top winning Gold in the PANAM doubles. This meant so much to me because we have been very close over the years, and I think of her as a sister.”
(Breanna Clemmer, Lauren Russo)
You won two medals recently this year at the PANAM Bowling Championships in Reno, Nevada: A Silver in doubles (with Crystal Elliott) and a Bronze with the Elite Women’s Team (with Jillian Martin, Shannon Pluhowski, Lauren Russo, Hope Gramly and Crystal Elliott). Yet another special year of accomplishments with Team USA and I know you likely wanted to win Gold, but you must be very proud of yourself, your teammates and your efforts. Talk about this recent experience.
“The first day didn’t go as well as I hoped, but I found a way to get back to ‘plus’ to end the day for singles. When I found out I was bowling with Crystal (Elliott), I wanted to do anything I could do to help her get her first Adult Team USA medal because I remember what it was like to be in her shoes. It was a special medal for both of us because not only did we get to do it together, but we fought our hardest for the medal and worked hard together with Bob Learn as well.”
(2024 PANAM Championships – Women’s Elite Teams, Bronze Medal – Shannon Pluhowski, Hope Gramly, Jillian Martin, Lauren Russo, Breanna Clemmer and Crystal Elliott)
“Women’s Team Competition was very interesting because we were all connected some way or another and to be able to bowl with so many talented women on one team makes me feel so incredibly lucky. Even though we didn’t come home with the Gold, we were able to grab the Bronze medal.”
You joined the PWBA in 2021. You’ve already won two PWBA titles, the 2022 PWBA St. Petersburg-Clearwater Open, and this year the 2024 PBA/PBA50/PWBA Jonesboro Trios title with teammates Tom Hess and Francois Lavoie.
(2024 PBA/PBA50/PWBA Jonesboro Trios Champions – Tom Hess, Breanna Clemmer and Francois Lavoie)
This season on the PWBA Tour you ranked 29th in total Points with a championship-round appearance. You’re disciplined and determined and always a force to be reckoned with out on tour. Please talk about your PWBA journey so far and share your goals and expectations as you look ahead to the 2025 season.
“I felt as if I had a rude awakening when going out on tour. Not because I didn’t expect it to be as difficult, but because I felt as if I had so many unrealistic expectations for myself. Which then formed into negative outlooks and negative thoughts that made me not love the game anymore. After some time, I found my reason ‘why’ and made me realize why I loved bowling and why I love being out on tour. With that being said, I won my first title in 2021, and then my second in 2024 and made my first major show as well. I try not to have any expectations, because if I have those strict expectations I tend to focus on the negative and not the things I should be focusing on. I do have goals, which is to cash in every cut next year and finish in the top 20.”
With the PWBA being full of very talented bowlers, what is it like to compete against the best in the world? Also, are there particular bowlers that you might admire or look up to, past and or present, and why?
“Competing with the best on the PWBA tour helps me strive to be a better competitor on and off the lanes. I am driven to be one of the best on tour, as a coach, as a person and a friend. It’s an honor to get to bowl with and against the greats and know that I belong out there.”
“I have always looked up to Kim Terrell-Kearney and Michelle Feldman because I have admired their drive, compassion and love for the game. I could find myself relating my game to Michelle’s because of the power and rotation that she has. With Kim, she is patient, kind, driven and hardworking. I hope to be as talented as she is one day, and I am lucky to have her in my corner.”
In August last year you were named Assistant Coach for the McKendree Bearcats, returning to your roots where you were a standout collegiate athlete from 2016-2000. You were an important part of a winning tradition at the university during your tenure. You were a part of the NCAA Bowling Championship team and the ITC Team Championship team and also winner of the Intercollegiate Singles Championship. Not to mention NTCA Player of the Year (Div II/III) honors, to name just a few accomplishments in your collegiate career with the Bearcats.
How has this new chapter as Assistant Coach with McKendree impacted your life? Your wealth of knowledge and experience must mean so much to the team and young athletes as they strive to learn and grow in this sport and in life.
“What this new journey, coaching at McKendree and being able to put on a new hat, I have been able to learn more about the game and myself as a coach than I ever have before. I have been able to help mold future athletes of bowling into better people, athletes, and students. I remember looking up to my coaches at McKendree and wanting to be in their shoes one day so I can share my knowledge and my love for the sport. Now, I can and I’m able to relate to our athletes and help them through their ups and their downs of being a collegiate athlete. I’ve been in their shoes, which makes it easier to relate to them when they are having struggles. I always remind my girls to give themselves grace and that there is a reason behind everything. I am lucky to be able to have so many amazing student athletes around me that push me, and help me strive to be a better coach, person, and friend.”
With an incredibly busy schedule with McKendree, the PWBA Tour and Team USA, I imagine there is not a lot of free time but when there is, what other interests or hobbies might you have during down time and away from the lanes?
“In my free time, I like to binge watch Netflix shows, read, and spend time with my family. I have also been getting back into the gym but taking my journey slowly because I don’t want to rush my timeline, and I want to do everything properly.”
The sport of bowling is thriving and bowlers from all areas of the world and all ages are working to improve their game. As a professional bowler and a collegiate coach, what tips or advice might you give to bowlers out there working on their dreams of becoming a better bowler and possibly of bowling collegiately or professionally some day?
“My advice to young athletes would be to not rush the process. Everyone’s career has their own timeline, and their own ups and downs. Focus on the good and not the negative, and always find a way to remind yourself of how far you’ve come. Practice your spares, and your repeatability, but mental game is the most important aspect of the game to work on.”
You knew from a very early age that there was something special between you and the sport of bowling. You took a hold of it and ran with it and are making such an incredible impact on the sport. You not only just belong in this game, and at the highest levels, but you’re also a great ambassador for the game. You inspire people to be the best they can be. And when out on tour, the competition knows they don’t have much of a choice, they had better bring their ‘A’ game when facing you.
Thank you, Breanna for taking the time and best of luck to you and the Bearcats as you continue your incredible journey. We all look forward to seeing what more you will accomplish.
“I am extremely lucky to be in the position I am to compete on a higher level and help shape young athletes into the best versions of themselves. Without the support from my girls, family, friends, sponsors and fans I wouldn’t have the luxury of being a professional athlete. You haven’t seen the last of me yet, there is more room to grow from here.”
(All Image Credits: PWBA, PANAM Games, Brunswick, USBC and Breanna Clemmer)
