Nationally Ranked Bowling Team Could Acquire NJ State Champion

In recent weeks, Tim Wolchko, a junior from Egg Harbor Township High School, was able to win the state's individual title for men's high school bowling, all while using his two-handed method to deliver the bowling ball.

Why should we care?

Not only does it seem so bizarre that Wolchko won the state title using a technique we all probably used when we were 5, but according to a recent Star Ledger article, he's looking to come to William Paterson to join our 15^th nationally ranked club bowling team.

"Two-handed bowling is becoming a new trend in the sport and just like any sport, we need to change with time," said WPU Assistant Coach Greg Hatzisavvas, who bowled for William Paterson from 2004 to 2008. "Tim has a great bowling resume which was built already at an early age and I would not try to change his style. I spoke with him earlier this week and he will be coming up to visit the team in March."

With someone as talented as Wolchko, who could blame him for being interested in a school with its own impressive bowling resume?

The team has been ranked in the top 15 for the country in the past five years. However, the success isn't just recent; the men's team was able to capture the national title in 1992 and the women's team also took national laurels in 1993. Current head coach Dave Nagelhout was even named the National Collegiate Coach of the Year in the 2007-2008 season.   

This year the WPU bowling team has won six tournaments and, in addition, four bowlers have taken top individual honors.

With the regular season over, the team members are working hard in preparing for the playoffs. The East Coast Championship Tournament will be held on March 12 and 13 in Allentown, Pa., where the top 16 teams in the region will compete. The top four teams from that tournament will then advance to the National Finals, which will take place from April 20 to April 23 in Columbus, Ga.

The team's focus now is to win the East Coast Championship Tournament so they can go forward and compete in Nationals. If the team is able to do so it'll be the fourth time in the last five years the team has made it that far.

And with senior Jonathan Deuire and junior Bryan Sweney, each of whom has won two tournaments this season, along with their successful coaching staff and talented roster, it seems as if the WPU bowling team should be able to achieve success.