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Vincennes University

Trailblazer Bowling Set for New Era

Trailblazer Bowling Set for New Era
September 18, 2025

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Men's Bowling team enters the 2025–26 season hungry to build on back-to-back postseason appearances and armed with one of its deepest rosters in program history. With a strong core of returning leaders, a talented recruiting class, and the experience of competing against some of the nation's best, the Trailblazers are aiming higher than ever as they prepare for a challenging slate of tournaments and a run at national contention.

Building on Recent Success

VU is coming off a 2024–25 campaign that saw the team finish 65th nationally and advance to postseason play for the second consecutive year. Along the way, the Trailblazers saw key leaders graduate, including Ethan Ennis, who completed his associate's degree in criminal law and entered the U.S. Air Force, as well as Brighton Lucas, who earned degrees in construction and architectural drawing, and Carson McDivitt, who graduated with degrees in diesel mechanics and agriculture.

Despite those departures, Head Coach Paul LeMond, who enters his fourth season at the helm, is confident in the direction of the program. "Our expectations this year are to get into the top 30, compete for tournament wins, and earn a third straight trip to the postseason," he said.

Core Returners Lead the Way

The Trailblazers return a strong nucleus headlined by Dakota Waskom (Louisville, Ky.), the team's 2024–25 Player of the Year. Waskom is praised for his versatility on the lanes, capable of scoring from a variety of angles and recognized as one of the team's most reliable spare shooters. Alongside Waskom, Nick Gregg (Salem, Ill.) looks to build on his steady improvement, while Ryan Webber (Evansville, Ind.) has made significant strides as VU's only left-hander. Colton Martin (Breese, Ill.) also returns with improved timing and shot-making ability, giving the Trailblazers four experienced anchors in the lineup.

"These guys are not just returners, they're leaders," LeMond said. "They set the tone in practice and competition, and they understand what it takes to prepare at a high level. We expect our leaders to step up on the lanes and off, and their communication about equipment and lane play will be a big asset for the team."

Newcomers Bolster the Lineup

VU adds both experience and raw talent through its newcomers. Eli Fromm (Creal Springs, Ill.), a transfer from Southeastern, arrives with a 196 average and the ability to play straighter lines or move inside as needed. Freshman Cadyn Coddington (Lafayette, Ind.) is already drawing comparisons to Waskom for his versatile toolbox and ability to attack lanes from multiple angles. Nick Hubbard (Herrin, Ill.) and Vincent Murrey (Indianapolis, Ind.) also join a freshman class that LeMond believes will thrive once they settle into collegiate competition.

"This is the deepest roster we've ever had," LeMond said. "We're 12-deep with guys who can contribute on either Team One or Team Two depending on conditions. That depth is going to pay off in the grind of the season."

Focused Preparation

The Trailblazers spent the offseason emphasizing consistent practice and conditioning. Players were pushed to stay on the lanes weekly throughout the summer, and the team has built in twice-a-week workouts along with three bowling sessions per week during the season. LeMond views the physical and mental preparation as equally important. "If you're not physically in shape, your mental game weakens. Conditioning, drills, and competition in practice are all part of getting ready for the toughest lane conditions we'll face," he said.

A Challenging Road Ahead

This season carries added significance as VU officially rejoins the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) after departing in 2014. The 20-time NJCAA national champion Trailblazers will now compete for both NJCAA and United States Bowling Congress (USBC) titles, giving them multiple avenues to contend for national hardware. "Our athletes are excited about joining the NJCAA," LeMond said. "We can compete for a National Title at this level, and it's another tool we can use to help recruiting."

The schedule features some of the top tournaments in collegiate bowling, with Tier One tests such as the Midwest Collegiate Championship (Imperial Lanes-Clinton Township, Mich.) on October 4–5, the McKendree Match Games (St. Clair Bowl-Fairview Heights, Ill.) on November 22–23, and the Kegel-ISBPA Midwest Collegiate Classic (Stardust Bowl-Addison, Ill.) on January 17-18. The highlight comes on December 6 when VU hosts the Trailblazer Open on campus at the Vincennes University Bowling Center, marking the first time in recent memory the program has hosted a home event. The postseason begins with the NJCAA National Championship (Royal Scot Golf and Bowl-Lansing, Mich.) on March 5–7, followed by the ITC Sectionals on March 14–15. The season kicks off with the Hammer Golden Eagle Invite (Cherry Bowl/Don Carter Lanes-Rockford, Ill.) on September 27–28.

LeMond knows the biggest tests will come at national events. "Last year's Tier One tournaments challenged us. We need to be sharper with spares and stronger mentally when conditions get tough. If we handle that, we'll be right where we want to be," he said.

Big Picture Goals

The months ahead will test VU against some of the strongest fields in collegiate bowling, but Coach LeMond believes his group is prepared for the challenge. The Trailblazers enter the season armed with roster depth, a renewed focus on preparation, and the chance to compete on both the NJCAA and USBC stages, determined to turn potential into results. "We want to continue our growth as bowlers and as people," LeMond said. "If we can average six or seven guys over 200 and keep competing one shot at a time, we can be as good as anyone in the country."

Join the Journey

As always, fans can keep up with the Vincennes University Men's Bowling squad all year long through a number of ways: