Both men and women Viterbo teams bowl into national spotlight

 The Viterbo bowling program burst onto the collegiate bowling scene in the fall of 2009, with both the men's and women's teams reaching the United States Bowling Congress national sectionals.  According to Jim Socha, coach of both the men's and women's teams, reaching these sectionals is akin to an NCAA tournament berth in college basketball.  

     After an inaugural season that put the program on the national stage, the teams have looked to take the next step.  Socha commented that the season has been "up-and-down, especially on the men's side," but that great progress has also been made.  

      The men's team, after their national sectional appearance last season, came up just short this time around.  The team placed fifth at the first ever Midwest Collegiate Conference bowling championship.  

     Leading the team was sophomore Greg Pizl, who followed up an outstanding freshman year with a First Team All-Conference effort.  Socha said of Pizl, "His strength is his consistency.  His lows aren't low, and we can always count on him for a good performance."

     Pizl allowed that he had a solid year, but "had hoped to do better. Over the off-season I plan on working with several knowledgeable coaches so that I can come back next season even stronger."

     T.J. York was also a major contributor, as the freshman was named MCC Newcomer of the Year in addition to earning First Team All-Conference honors.  

     The women's side saw slightly more success, placing third at the conference competition and earning a second consecutive berth in the national tournament. 

     Rachel Schalow, a sophomore from Marshfield, Wisconsin, was named MCC Bowler of the Year.  Schalow, much like Pizl on the men's side, has shown a great deal of consistency throughout the season.  When asked about the team's success, Schalow felt that the team's camaraderie was a major factor.

     Moving forward, Socha had great optimism for the program as a whole.  He hoped that falling short of sectionals would be a source of motivation for the men, and sees great potential in the upcoming recruiting class for the women's team.  

     The women will compete in the USBC sectionals in Peoria, Ill. on March 12 and 13.