Former PG wrestler Manny Ferrell now a rising star in pro bowling
- Former Pleasant Grove wrestler and current pro bowler Manny Ferrell poses for a photo with his title trophy at the BowlTV PBA Regional Players Association in Reno, Nevada, on Dec. 15, 2024.
- Former Pleasant Grove wrestler and current pro bowler Manny Ferrell poses for a photo at Jack & Jill Bowling Lanes in American Fork on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.
- A plaque honors a perfect game scored by former Pleasant Grove wrestler and current pro bowler Manny Ferrell at Jack & Jill Bowling Lanes in American Fork.
When you think of great bowlers, the Beehive State doesn’t necessarily come to mind. But right here in Utah County and Pleasant Grove, we have one of the rising stars in the sport in Manny Ferrell.
And Ferrell dreams of becoming the next Dick and Pete Webber, Brian Voss, or Norm Duke.
The 19-year-old recently won the BowlTV PBA Regional Players Association title in Reno, Nevada, and pocketed $15,000. Ferrell bested a 96-player field to win his first professional PBA title.
“It was pretty cool (to win it),” Ferrell said. “Even now I’m still shocked about it. But in the moment it was awesome. It was pretty cool to win it in front of my family. It was pretty sweet.”
In the match stage that reduced the players down to 32-player bracket, Ferrell earned the No. 1 seed.
The first two rounds in match play were best of five and Ferrell defeated TJ Rock and No. 8 seed David Lance three games to one. Then in the semifinals, which were the best of three, Ferrell took down No. 13 seed Evan Genz 2-1.
The pressure finally amped up because the championship finals — which were televised — was just a one-game showdown. But Ferrell came through big and bowled a 215 while No. 18 seed Nate Purchess scored 194.
Like many of the younger bowlers, Ferrell uses the two handed-grip and just puts his fingers in the holes leaving his thumb on the outside of the bowling ball.
“You get hated on by the old guys,” joked Ferrell. “But I just thought it was more comfortable for me, and that’s what I did and here I am.”
Besides technique and practice, there are other elements to being successful.
“You have to believe in yourself and you have to take risks,” Ferrell said. “Any professional athlete you know has to take risks. Traveling all the time, not really seeing your family, all these traveling plans. You have to stay true to yourself and make sure you know that you belong here.”
Ferrell has been bowling for just six years, being introduced to the sport at a birthday party and then later joining the league finding the sport fun. And obviously bowling was something he was very gifted at.
But bowling wasn’t the only sport where Ferrell excelled. He was well on his way to becoming an accomplished high school wrestler in the high-profile Pleasant Grove program, but as his bowling prowess increased, Ferrell felt he needed to give up the mat and concentrate on bowling fulltime. Still, he credits the sport and his youth and high school wrestling coaches Cole Kelley and Brock Moore for being important mentors.
“Cole Kelley and Brock Moore, they really taught me and kind of molded me,” Ferrell said. “Coach Moore is the coach of coaches. He made me mentally tough. If it wasn’t for those times in the (wrestling) room, I wouldn’t be here right now.”
On the bowling front Jack Wadley, who owns Jack & Jill Bowling Lanes in American Fork was an important mentor and Ferrell still works at the bowling alley when he’s not out on tour.
“He (Wadley) lets me work here, he lets me chase this silly dream I have,” Ferrell said. “Jack, and the Wadley family, deserve a big shout-out.”
Much like professional golf, bowling success is directly tied to performance. Players are responsible for entry fees, travel and lodging so having some backers to get started have been key for Ferrell’s rise at such a young age.
Bam Bams BBQ and its owner Cameron Treu, who actually bowls with Ferrell on Thursday nights, was initially one of Ferrell’s early financial backers. “He backed me up forever ago and is the greatest guy,” Ferrell said.
Ferrell also gave shout outs to Trillion Mortgage and Steve DeYoung and his friend Kobe Lindemann for helping him out as well.
When out on the road, it is good to have a network and Ferell has that. Another prominent bowler from Utah County is Clay Rees. Ferrell became friends with his daughter Lizzie about three years ago and says Rees has been invaluable to his success.
“Ever since then we have been traveling together,” said Ferrell. “He’s really good, well known and took me under his wing and helped me out. For a lot of my bowling success, he’s helped me out a lot.”
But perhaps his most important inspiration came from his grandfather Ellis Ferrell, who recently passed away.
“My Grandpa was my biggest supporter for whatever I did or whatever sport I did,” Manny Ferrell said. “Him passing away was pretty tough on me. He was my idol.”
Manny Ferrell also related how his bowling success has improved his relationship with his father Mark and other members of his family.
“My Dad is always proud of me and it’s awesome to have that back up,” Manny Ferrell said. “Me and my Dad have gotten pretty close these past couple of years. He’s let me follow my dream. He’s right under my grandpa as my biggest supporter.”
By the way, Ferrell has bowled nearly two dozen perfect 300 games, including five in competition. Just over Lane 10 at Jack and Jill Lanes in American Fork, you can find his name on its Wall of Fame.