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Vincennes University

VU Bowling Prepares for NJCAA Nationals Return

VU Bowling Prepares for NJCAA Nationals Return
March 5, 2026

LANSING, Mich. — For the first time in more than a decade, the Vincennes University Men's Bowling team will return to the NJCAA national stage as the Trailblazers compete at the NJCAA National Championship March 5–7 at Royal Scot Golf & Bowl in Lansing, Michigan.

The appearance marks a significant moment for the program, as the 20-time NJCAA national champion Trailblazers rejoined the association this past summer and now prepare to compete for another national title.

Head Coach Paul LeMond, in his fourth season leading the program, said the team enters the postseason with confidence after closing the regular season with a victory in Cleveland, Ohio four weeks ago. "We wrapped up our regular season in Cleveland with a tournament win, so we feel like we're heading into the postseason with some momentum," LeMond said. "Over the last few weeks we've really focused on fundamentals — especially spare shooting — and making sure we're prepared for the challenge of nationals."

The Trailblazers, currently ranked No. 43 in the latest USBC national rankings but the No. 2 ranked NJCAA program, spent the past several weeks preparing specifically for the championship oil pattern they will face in Lansing. "We were able to practice on the same pattern that will be used at the national tournament," LeMond said. "It went well for us at home. It may play a little different here, but we feel like we've done the work to get lined up and be ready."

Competition begins at 8:15 a.m. EST Friday morning with men's singles and doubles. Each bowler will compete in three singles games, while doubles teams consisting of two teammates will also bowl three games with combined pinfall determining the doubles standings. Following a midday break, teams will transition into five-person team competition Friday afternoon with the first three-game block.

Action resumes Saturday morning at 8:15 a.m. EST with a second three-game block of five-person team play before the championship concludes with nine Baker-format games. In Baker competition, all five players combine to complete a single game, rotating frames throughout the lineup.

Leading the Trailblazers into the national tournament is freshman Nick Hubbard, who has been one of Vincennes' most consistent performers throughout the season. Sophomore Tad Harvey and sophomore Ryan Webber have also been bowling especially well as of late, giving the Trailblazers strong momentum heading into the championship.

Additional depth comes from sophomores Carter Martin, Colton Martin, Zane Anderson, and Hunter Meyer, along with freshmen Connor Hedge, Taylor Jones, and Vincent Murrey, as the Trailblazers bring a balanced mix of experience and youth into the national championship field.

LeMond said the opportunity to return the program to the NJCAA Championship stage has created a strong sense of excitement within the team. "It's been about 12 years since Vincennes has competed at the NJCAA Championship, so it's exciting to bring the program back to this level," LeMond said. "Our players are ready to go and looking forward to the opportunity."

Royal Scot Golf & Bowl, a 60-lane facility located just outside Lansing and connected to a major golf course complex, will host the two-day championship event. "It's a beautiful bowling center here in Lansing," LeMond said. "We're excited to be here and ready to see what happens."

For VU, the return to the NJCAA Championship represents both a milestone and an opportunity — one that the Trailblazers hope could add to the program's storied national legacy.

The full event schedule and results can be found here.

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: