First time for everything.
The Grand Canyon University Bowling Junior Varsity 1 team made history by placing 1st overall among all teams in total pinfall at the Sin City Open. Two days later, the Lopes' Men's Varsity, Men's Junior Varsity 2, and Women's team each collected a 1st-place place finish, sweeping the Rebel Classic. Both events took place at the Gold Coast Bowling Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Lopes' JV1 team, led by GCU Assistant Coach Mathew Adragna and headlined by first-time JV1 Bowler Joshua Knox who led the field by over 60 total pins, couldn't miss at Sin City. Seeing contributions from all five bowlers (Knox, Liam Bakalich, Max Brown, Wesley Cunningham and Panch Portugal), the team finished the day 72 pins ahead of 2nd-place San Jose State University JV1, and 146 pins ahead of GCU Varsity.
"Huge shoutout to Josh Knox who really stepped up in his JV1 debut, he gave us momentum and a lot of confidence," said Bakalich. "Combine that with the great communication between Coach Matt and the guys and we were set up for success throughout the day."
The Lopes' Varsity squad finished the Sin City Open in 2nd place behind SJSU, while GCU JV2 ended 4th behind GCU JV1, SJSU JV1, and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas JV1.
The GCU Varsity team regained their form at the Rebel Classic over the next two days, occupying the top spot in their division throughout the five team games and 12 Baker games of seeding - thanks to a total pinfall of 7125. Having secured a first-round bye in bracket play, they knocked out Oregon State University, 2-0, in the semifinal match and SJSU, 2-1, in a title match that came down to the wire.
"The team all shared chants, laughs, and strikes throughout Saturday, energy was definitely up," said Bakalich, who was called up from the GCU JV1 team after Friday. "On Sunday I think we bowled some of the best Baker games that Varsity has bowled all season, and it couldn't have come at a better time. It was a full team effort to secure the wins in match play."
The Lopes' JV2 team was seeded 2nd before bracket play (only behind GCU JV1), but that didn't stop them from winning the day as they beat the JV1 squad in another exciting best-of-three matchup.
Next up, the Lopes fly to Indianapolis, Indiana, to test themselves at the Hoosier Classic on February 15.
