By Vantage Staff
The Newman men’s bowling team is rolling into a strong season already.
The team, lead by coach Billy Murphy, has won three of the four tournaments it’s competed in so far, including the SWIBC I and SWIBC II tournaments Oct. 5-6 in Dallas, and the Midstates Championship Oct. 19-20 at Wichita’s Bowlero Lanes.
At the Wichita tournament, the Jets were led by junior Noah Akiona and senior Silas Limes. The team was even able to defeat local rival Wichita State University in the tournnment’s semifinals.
The team’s fourth tournament appearance was in the Jayhawk Collegiate Challenge, which happened Saturday and Sunday in Lawrence. It ended with the Jets in second place. At that same tournament, freshman Liam Hardman made the All Tournament team, finishing fourth in the individual standings.
Other strong performances this year have come from sophomores Kalin Ogata and Brady Longenecker and junior Zach Smullen.
What’s going right with the team this year?
“I think this year the team is older and more experienced,” said sophomore bowler Deqlan Mitchell.
Head coach Murphy said this week that he believes the team is doing well but still has a lot of work to do.
“We have a different player at the top of the sheet every tournament so far,” he said.
The Jets are back in action Nov. 9-10 at the Leatherneck Classic in Moline, Illinois.
Contributing: Katrina Kowitz of The Vantage
PHOTO: Courtesy, Newman Bowling
