Life in Bowling’s Fast Lane
Bowling’s social media superstar Malia Briggs. Photography by Michael Briggs
Franklin County bowling star ignites the sport’s social media presence
By Jennifer Mellace
Malia Briggs may be graduating from Chambersburg Area Career Magnet School this month, but she leaves with much more than an impressive 4.0 grade-point average and an athletic scholarship to Tulane University in New Orleans.
Malia Briggs signs a letter of intent to bowl for nationally ranked
Tulane University.
She is one of the top junior bowlers in the country and has parlayed that into a social media presence so massive it surpasses the reach of professional bowling’s top governing bodies. Her digital influence spreads across multiple platforms with more than 368,000 YouTube subscribers, 325,000 Instagram followers. Nearly 60,000 people follow her on Facebook, and she has a growing presence on TikTok. She is one of the sports’ most visible ambassadors, capable of generating thousands of interactions within hours of a posting.
Her content blends competitive highlights with relatable, day-in-the-life storytelling that resonates with both serious athletes and casual fans. She has essentially humanized the sport of bowling, making it not only accessible but trendy for the younger generation.
Briggs’ social media prowess has translated into significant opportunities within the sport, including her role as a junior national staff member for equipment manufacturer Storm Products, Inc., an ambassador for Go Bowling, and an appearance on Fox & Friends on National Bowling Day. Outside the sport she has facilitated high-profile appearances like serving as the grand marshal at Watkins Glen International NASCAR race weekend and throwing out the first pitch at a Chicago White Sox game.
Through all her early life success, Malia understands the responsibility that comes with it as she travels the country for tournaments. She has bowled in 27 different states, and young girls flock to her at tournaments seeking photos and autographs.
Malia Briggs after throwing out the first pitch at a Chicago White Sox game.
“The goal [of social media] was always to grow the sport of bowling, she says. “I started posting so colleges could see me. I never knew it would go viral. When a little girl comes up to me and says she admires me, it means so much. I see myself in them.”
How Good is She?
Bowling since the age of 10, this Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, native carries a 230 average and has amassed a host of titles, including the 2024 Pennsylvania High School Girls Singles State Champion, runner up in the 2025 High School Nationals, and second-place finisher in the 2026 Pennsylvania High School Girls Singles State Championship. Last month she won the Professional Bowlers Association Junior KR Strikeforce South Region title. Additionally, she has won two Tough Shot Tour Titles in North Carolina, seven Storm Youth Championship silver medals, a Pennsylvania Junior Bowlers Tour Girls Only Scratch and Beast of the East titles. Briggs also competed in the USA National Team Bowling Championships.
She practices almost daily—roughly six games per day—all while maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average (4.6 weighted) at the Chambersburg Area Career Magnet School. She played guard on her middle school basketball team. Yet this talented young woman remains humble and focused on her game, finding balance and her future.
So, staying grounded is a big part of Malia’s journey.
“When I need to relax, I just smile,” says the 18-year-old phenom. “My dad taught me that.”
From maintaining a 4.6 weighted GPA to practicing six games nearly every day, while also growing her impressive social media following, Malia has more than a full plate.
“It’s a lot of time management skills,” she says. “My parents always said academics come first. I don’t like to procrastinate. I don’t like to feel that weight on my shoulders. I like to get it done. I would always say I wanted to be good, and my dad would say, ‘You can’t just want to be good. You have to put in the work to be good.’ So, I’ve always been like this.”
Malia’s father, Michael Briggs, points out that Malia has always been grounded. “She had gym class and they were playing volleyball and she told her teacher that she needed to be careful because she didn’t want to hurt her wrist because she was bowling for the team. She never told the teacher or her class [how good she was]. They never knew. She’s very humble. When she talks to people, she doesn’t mention all her [social media] followers.”
Her coach, Will Clark, has also played a key role in Malia’s rise. He met her a couple of years ago on a trip to Maryland and has been helping her ever since. He works with bowlers across the country who video their practice sessions and send them to him. Clark then provides analysis and offers practice drills and tips. With Malia, he takes the extra step of helping her grow comfortable in the spotlight. With her national notoriety he works on keeping her grounded.
Physically, he wants to make sure she stays free and loose with her arm swing to consistently get her hand through the ball. “Malia is one of the hardest working bowlers I’ve worked with,” he says. But in the end, “The smile she has coming off the lane following a good shot is more of who she really is.”
Finding Her Game
Malia’s parents, Michael and Carrie, are both bowlers and included Malia and her brother, Keegan, in the game from an early age.
“I bowled when I met my wife Carrie, and we’ve been bowling together since 2000,” says Michael. “We bowled league with my dad and my step mom, and our team was called All in the Family.”
Malia was at one of the league nights and a lane next to her parents was open. The owner of the facility said any kids could bowl for a $1. “That was cheaper than a babysitter,” Michael says.
“At first, Malia was pretty bad, bowling gutter balls. But she would always smile. I was bowling in a doubles tournament and she said, ‘Dad, I can hook the ball like you.’”
Sure enough, Malia started hooking the ball like her dad. “Around 12 she started showing real talent,” Michael says. “She has always had a really good work ethic and has been driven from a very young age.”
Eventually Malia started beating her father.
At the 2025 U.S. National High School Bowling Championships, Malia Briggs was runner-up in girl’s singles.
Malia has had coaches throughout her career, including Del Warren early on, Joe Halula—a local coach who helped her with timing, and currently, Clark, a Chicago-area coach who critiques videos of her practices every day after school.
Malia credits her parents for her success. “My dad and mom were always there, traveling to tournaments, coaching me,” she says.
The family car gathered more than 200,000 miles driving to and from competitions. Many of the miles were filled with conversation. “My dad and I spent so much time talking so I could keep him awake. I’ll miss that the most when I go away to college.”
Looking Forward
While Malia hopes to join the Professional Women’s Bowling Association one day and eventually own her own bowling center, she’s first looking toward college.
“I’m looking to major in marketing and double in communications. After college I want to consider bowling professionally. The season is actually pretty short and not all year, so I can do both my career and bowling.”
Asked if she has any advice for those little girls who watch her and dream of following in her footsteps, she says, “Always have fun and try to stay positive. Make room for practice and put in the work and good things will happen. Just take it one frame at a time.”