ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Capital University men's and women's bowling teams competed at the Club National Championships this past weekend in Rockford, Illinois. There, the Comet women stormed back through bracket play to earn a spot in the National Finals where they finished as National Runner-Ups in just their second year as a program. To compete at the Club National Championships, programs must not provide scholarships and earn a high enough ranking during the regular season to qualify.
Along with the team's National Runner-Up finish, the Comet women saw two players earn postseason recognition by the Collegiate Club Championship committee.
Jolene Powers was named a Second Team All-American and the National Rookie of the Year, as well as All-Tournament Team.
Olivia Hicks was also recognized as an All-American Finalist. With the recognition, Powers is the first All-American in the bowling program's history as well as the first to be named National Rookie of the Year.
Across the weekend, the women started pool play with a 1-4 record. The team beat Ohio State and finished with losses to Muskingum, Wartburg, Illinois State and Grand Valley State. Despite their record after pool play, the women's team level set for bracket play where they beat Purdue (3-1), Wartburg (3-1), Coe (3-1) and Coe (2-1). The team then squared off with Muskingum in the championship match where the Muskies would take the win, 3-0. Most notably,
Olivia Hicks converted one of the biggest shots in program history by converting a 6-7-10 split against Coe to send the Comets to the finals. According to Coach
Lance Gordon, there is only about a quarter of an inch of room to miss from 60 feet away to convert that split.
The men's team started pool play with a 2-3 record as they beat Muskingum and UT-San Antonio, while falling to Coe, Ohio State and Baldwin Wallace. In bracket play, the men fell in straight matches to Penn State and Muskingum to end their competition.
The program's only departing senior –
Carlos Patterson – was recognized along with the seniors from all programs in attendance for a special senior recognition.
The Club National Championships brought a close to the 2025-26 bowling season for Capital on a high note, celebrating the women' s National Runner-Up finish.
