KU men win first national Intercollegiate Bowling Championship

National champs reside on Mount Oread once again. The Jayhawk men's bowling team claimed its first national championship last month in the 2004 Intercollegiate Bowling Championships.

The team—a club sport sponsored by the Jaybowl in the Kansas Union—earned the Helmer Cup, named in honor of the late Kerm Helmer, longtime coach at Erie Community College who led his teams to four IBC titles.

KU bowlers, l to r: Rhino Page, Marc D'Errico, Jason Reese, Trent Overby, Chris Dilley and coach Mike Fine. Not pictured is Alan Emmons.

KU rallied to down Saginaw Valley State, 2-1, to claim the title. After Saginaw Valley State took Game 1 by a score of 223-201, the Jayhawks recovered to win the best-of-three match 222-181 and 193-187.

"We bowled a great game in the first game and got beat," said KU sophomore Rhino Page of San Diego, who was named Linds World Impex MVP in the men's division. "We knew we were going to have to post a good number and hang together as a team. It worked out for us."

"We were down in about four of the matches Saturday, so it was no big deal at all," KU coach Mike Fine said. "This team has shown remarkable resiliency … they just find a way to make things happen."

Other KU championship team members include: senior Marc D'Errico, Rochester, N.Y.; senior Alan Emmons, Loveland, Colo.; junior Jason Reese, Lenexa, Kan.; freshman Chris Dilley, Overland Park, Kan.; and Trent Overbey, Berryton, Kan.

In the semifinals, KU eliminated Fresno State University, 4-2.

In the women's tournament, Pikeville College defeated Wichita State University, 2.5-.5, in the best-of-three, Baker-format women's championship match.

The men's and women's finals will be nationally televised on College Sports Television (CSTV) at a later date. For complete IBC results, visit the College section of bowling's premier Web site at bowl.com.

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