Ft. Worth, Texas - The 2024-2025 SNU Bowling Men’s Bowling Team opened up the season in SWIBC action at Cityview Lanes in Ft. Worth, Texas October 5th and 6th. As expected, the Crimson Storm found a familiar position during Saturday’s opening round of conference play.
The format for SWIBC I consisted of four individual team games combined with 10 Baker games to determine the champion. A characteristic about SWIBC conference action is the players have no idea what lane pattern will be placed on the surface. The 15 minutes of practice was filled with discovery, communication and decision making by the players. The history of Cityview Lanes was clearly present during this event due to a large amount of friction on the lanes combined with a challenging pattern resulted in low scores for SWIBC I.
“This was a typical high friction, short oil pattern that created a difficult challenge for all the teams competing in this event,” said Coach Mark Jeffreys. “The decisions made and the plan of attack by our players during and after the 15 minutes of practice showed progression in reading and reacting to the lane conditions. We started well and stayed consistent during the four individual team games.”
After the four individual team games the Crimson Storm earned the number two position entering the 10 games of Baker play. “We went on a good run in Baker games two, three and four going 215, 225, 222,” said Coach Jeffreys. “David Swavely and Tobias Hurte were dialed in and it showed not only in Baker play but also in the four games of individual play. It was nice to see Nate Shannon have a solid day. Nate is a really good burn player and helps this team when friction is part of the lane pattern.” Swavely and Hurte earned All Tournament Team honors for their performance with only five players averaging over 200 out of the 120 player field. Swavely finished third averaging 205.5 while Hurte finished fifth averaging 202.5.
After the 10 games Baker play the Crimson Storm averaged just under 190 and finished 2nd in the event behind Newman University. “It was a solid start to the season,” said Coach Jeffreys. “We showcased what we can do well as a team and we experienced what we need to continue to work on, progressing toward our goals. We are becoming very familiar to the lane environment at Cityview and battling friction on the lanes. There are plans in place to improve our ability to perform on high friction lane conditions. At the same time, it is very difficult to duplicate what we continue to bowl on when it comes to high friction lane panels. Honestly, I am on a quest to give our players more experience on high friction lane patterns and with the support of the staff at Holiday Lanes, our home practice center, it’s going to happen.”
Due to injuries that have occurred to several players on the SNU Women's Team, some student athletes on the Women's team will be utilizing a redshirt year for the 2024-2025 season. At the same time, three student athletes currently on the Women's Team will become part of the 2024-2025 Men's Team and participate in as many tournaments as possible as part of the Men's Team One or Team Two during the 2024-2025 season.
A full Women's Team roster will be back in action for the 2025-2026 season with a planned roster of five returning student athletes combined with four current committed athletes for the 2025-2026 season plus, the addition of several women student athletes currently in the 2025 recruiting cycle creating a roster of 12 or more student athletes for the 2025-2026 Women's Team season.
"This is an unforeseen, unfortunate injury situation for the Women's Team," said Coach Jeffreys. "I am grateful for the attitude and dedication by the SNU Women's Team shown by all the Women's student athletes and the support of the Women's Team by the Men's Team. We absolutely have the health of our student athletes as a priority for this program now and in the future. Our SNU athletic trainer staff has been extremely helpful and supportive while doing everything they can do to engage with and improve our student athlete’s injuries and wellness."
"The experience gained for the women being a part of the 2024-2025 Men's Team will become an asset for the Women's Team in 2025," said Jeffreys.
The college bowling experience began in Ft. Worth, Texas for SNU Women’s team freshman, Lilly Houle, Kendra Schwarting and sophomore, Sienna Stoner combined with SNU Men’s Team freshman, Dylan Terada, Myles Etherington, Jake Fitzgerald, Landon McConnell and Louie Pisano. The talent in the 2024 freshmen class was showcased on Saturday with 2nd place finish in the Men’s JV division behind Newman University.
During the four individual games, freshman Dylan Terada made the All Tournament Team in his first collegiate bowling event averaging 211 and earning the number two spot on the ATT. “Dylan is a talented player that is versatile in his game,” said Coach Jeffreys. “To average 211 in your first college event and earn an ATT, on a tough lane condition is really impressive. The scary thing is he’s going to get better with the reps and tournament experience. The energy Dylan brings to this program and his teammates is off the charts. It was evident on Saturday and we are very fortunate to have Dylan at SNU.”
On to SWIBC II
The second SWIBC event was a different day with a different lane pattern. The field was discovering a high scoring lane pattern during the 15 minutes of practice. Three teams, Newman, Texas-San Antonio and SNU averaged over 1,000 (200 per player/per game) during the six games of individual play. The key challenge during SWIBC II was getting lined up after teams moved lanes after each game during the six games of determining the winner.
The SNU Men’s Team performed well during the opening game, 1,058, game four, 1,132 and game five 1,054. “Tobias Hurte was dialed in on Sunday,” said Coach Jeffreys. “Hurte averaged 217.5 for the six games including the front nine on the way to a 277 game. I continue to believe that Tobias is one of the best leadoff players in the nation.”
The Crimson Storm earned a 3rd place finish after the six games of individual team play finishing behind champion, Newman University and Texas-San Antonio who finished 2nd. “It’s opening weekend and the players experience adversity,” said Coach Jeffreys. “The ability to overcome adversity is part of what we are simulating during our practice sessions. What we went through on this day is going to make us a better team as the season moves forward. Now we know. Now we learn. Now we improve.”
Next up for the Crimson Storm, the Mid States Championships in Wichita, Kansas. The MSC will be the first Tier I event on the season for the Crimson Storm. Last year, the Crimson Storm Men’s Team finished 5th in year one of the SNU program.
FINAL STANDING WILL BE POSTED SOON
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